Self-guided adventure on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains

This is one of the top 5 hikes in Cyprus due to its panoramic views and unique character.

Walking the Artemis Trail under a clear sky offers stunning panoramic views of various parts of Cyprus, all the way to the coast. The trail combines arid, rocky terrain with wooded areas of black pine and juniper trees endemic to the Troodos Mountains. Hikers pass by some very old and enormous trees. The hike is also of great interest to those interested in geology. It should be noted that when there is snow (usually a few months a year), we do not recommend this hike. We suggest a lower-altitude alternative along the Persephone Trail and the eastern section of the Pouziaris Trail, which ends at the Pano Platres Hotel (included in the package). The standard hike also includes a section of the Atalanti Trail, which ends at Troodos Square.

On this route, hikers combine the Pouziaris Trail (western section) and the Caledonia Waterfalls Trail, located a short distance from the village of Pano Platres. At the beginning and end, hikers walk several hundred meters along the paved road between the village of Pano Platres and the point where the two trails meet. Combining the two trails adds great variety to the experience. The Pouziaris Trail lies largely on the mountain slopes and offers stunning views and relatively sparse vegetation. The trees are mostly evergreen, and the landscape remains fairly consistent throughout the year.

The Caledonia Waterfalls Trail follows a stream through a valley, with small cascades and a waterfall. The Caledonia Waterfalls Trail is lined with plane trees, alders, and ferns, while the Pouziaris Trail is covered with pines, golden oaks, and rockroses. In spring, the valley is in bloom, especially with rockroses and violets, and in summer, it is lush and the stream's flow decreases. The trail crosses the stream several times (in some places, there are no small bridges), and caution is advised, especially when the water is flowing strongly. In late autumn, the earthy colors of the leaves can be admired as the season cools.

The day includes two separate hikes. First, travelers take the Myllomeris Waterfalls Trail (1.2 km round trip) at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters. It is lined with vegetation typical of Cypriot valleys, including alders, ferns, maples, golden oaks, strawberry trees, storax, and plane trees with impressive roots. At 11 meters, Myllomeris is the highest waterfall in Cyprus, and arguably the most picturesque. A small natural pool lies in front of the falls. Some visitors swim there, even outside of summer when the water temperature is rather cold.

For the second hike, travelers are transported by taxi to the village of Mandria. The hike (6 km) begins in Mandria and descends to the picturesque stone village of Omodos. The landscape changes dramatically between the forest above Mandria and the vineyards, as the route passes through the Krassochoria (or "wine villages") of Limassol. The landscape around the vineyards changes considerably throughout the year, as the vines regain their leaves in spring and lose them towards the end of autumn. The area is lush green during the hot summer and takes on various earthy hues as the leaves turn brown and yellow in autumn. The route ends in the village of Omodos, a traditional village that is very popular in Cyprus.