Walk this way... in Cyprus

There's more to do in Cyprus than swimming and lounging by the pool - so pack your walking boots as well as your beach mats, says Tricia Willis.

Most holidaymakers in Cyprus want to spend their time sunbathing, swimming and shopping, but an increasing number are taking time out from their villa holidays to see what else the island has to offer.

Machairas Monastery

And they’re doing it not by car but on foot along the 48 signed trails covering 125 miles of countryside.

The trails cater for people of all interests and walking abilities. They go deep into unspoilt rural landscapes, giving visitors the opportunity to capture snapshots of island life they wouldn’t get in the tourist enclaves: the family donkey being ridden side-saddle; the grape harvest being taken to the local presses; abandoned Turkish villages; Roman amphitheatres and Byzantine monasteries that aren’t on the guided tour itineraries, and a wealth of wildlife.

Troodos Mountains
Rising from the hot southern plains, the central Troodos mountain range offers not only a challengingly rocky terrain but also a refreshing break from the summer humidity in the coastal resorts.

For those seeking a more leisurely pace, the shady forest walks in the range provide an easier alternative, with a mix of fresh mountain air, almond groves, cherry orchards and pine trees. Breathe in deeply and enjoy the scents when taking in the panoramic views.

Snow-covered trees in the Troodos Mountains

The banks of the Kryos Potamos – the ‘Cold River’ – are shaded by oaks, rowans and alders. One of the few on the island to carry water year round, the river passes over several small waterfalls before reaching the 50ft-high Caledonian Falls just north of Platres –a popular summer retreat for British administrators in the 1930s.