Troodos Mountains
Troodos Mountains, due to its altitude, is covered in snow during winter. It is a popular resort for skiers during the skiing months. Tourists and locals alike visit the mountains during the summer to take a break from the searing summer heat down at sea level. Walk through the forests on one of the nature trails and take in the wonderful scents and aromas and enjoy looking at the waterfalls and surrounding views.
The Troodos mountains are unique in their geology and one of the only few places in the world where scientists can examine oceanic crust without needing to go to the sea. An underwater volcano that erupted 90 million years ago, and the reason the island was formed, has given rise to pillow lava which is observable throughout the mountains. The area of Troodos is also home to one of the 5 most copper rich areas in the world. Some say the island’s name ‘Kypros’ is derived from the Latin name for copper, ‘cuprum’.
The villages in Troodos are very charming, and contain folk architecture and cobbled streets. Located on the slopes of the mountains they are mostly situated amid orchards, vineyards and pine trees complete with corresponding scents and aromas. These rural villages are renowned for their warm welcoming hospitality, traditional local cuisine.
Troodos Mountains in the winter is a magical place to be. A beautifully clear atmosphere, the snow, blue skies and breathtaking scenery attracts everyone, including skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. Mount Olympus lies at the summit of the Troodos Mountains and it's traditional local name, ‘Chionistra’, translated is ‘the snowy one’, and is very popular for snowboarders and skiing, whether they are beginners or pros.
Troodos is picture perfect for hiking and leisurely walks. With different slopes of varying degrees it is great for people of all ages and abilities. Refer to the Cyprus Nature Trails and European Long Distance Path E4 publications for lists of available trails. A complete network of amazing walking trails starting either from the top of the Troodos mountains, with unspoiled, breathtaking views over the sea and the near by villages or across the rivers where the sounds of nature blended with the beauty of the trees and plants invite you to a lifetime experience beyond your imagination and expectations. Live the moment. Enhance your senses and experience to the full one of the most beautiful places in the whole world.
Cyprus, being predominantly Christian Orthodox, has a great number of Byzantine monuments. Ten of these hold such historical and artistic significance and hold such value that UNESCO has included them in its list of World Heritage Sites. All ten churches dating from the 11th to the 17th century are located in the mountainous region of Troodos. The route has been geographically divided in to three regions in order to tour them properly and in a convenient way: The Marathasa route: Kalopanagiotis – Moutoullas – Pedoulas (route length of 148 km). This route includes the Marathasa monuments: Monastery of Agios Ioannis toy Lambadisti in Kalopanagiotis, Church of Panagia in Moutoula and the church of Archangelos Michael in Pedoulas...
Biking can be enjoyed all year round in Troodos. Possessing quiet paved roads, splendid scenery, great biking terrain and revitalizing fresh air. The official ‘Troodos cycling routes’ are a 57 km path around Troodos National Park complete with area maps, directional signs, road markings and complete bike guide of the area. Nowhere in this natural, 57 km long circuit, does the altitude vary more than 400 metres. It's as if Mother Nature has conspired to keep the cyclists rested and relaxed.
Troodos has unique Ecclesiastical, Folk Art and Wine (old wine Press) Museums, which they are related with civilisation, culture and traditions. Hidden away in the Troodos pine forests, are Cyprus' famous painted churches with their colourful frescoes on walls and apses, superb examples of Byzantine art. Ten of these have been put on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Kykkos Monastery, the largest on the island, has an excellent Byzantine museum and a golden icon of the Virgin Mary, allegedly painted by St. Luke.
Troodos has plentiful picnic sites which lie under the umbrella of the Cyprus Forestry Department. They are located where access is easy, where there is shade and water. There are a range of facilities available; tables, sanitary facilities, playgrounds, barbeque sites, drinking water, car parks and others- all free of charge. Troodos has three camping sites where camping is allowed for a small fee per overnight stay. The sites offers basic facilities such as barbecue sites, potable water, benches, tables and washrooms. There are 5 camping sites in the state forests with a total capacity of 2,400 persons in which camping is allowed for a small fee for overnight stay. The Forestry Department manages three of these camping sites while the other two that are also situated in state forest land, are managed by other agencies. They provide facilities like barbecues, drinking water, tables and washrooms.
Show MapThe Xantara Falls are found on the Trooditissa River (also known as Diplos Potamos) in the village of Fini which lies at 3,400 feet above sea level and is part of the state forest. The water falls from a height of 26 feet. Located on the outskirts of the village Platres in Troodos, Caledonia Falls is one of the highest falls in Cyprus. Water falls from a height of 40 feet. You can reach it via a path leading to it. The water which falls from the Mesa Potamos waterfall, constituting mainly gabbros rocks, falls from a height of 23 feet. In Platres you can see the Millomeri Fall, renowned for its natural splendour. Water here falls from a height of 50 feet. Some of the falls are hard to access since they have only been discovered recently.
Show MapTroodos Mountains have natural river networks that flow out in the winter months into the surrounding dams and rivers in the wider areas of the island, in all directions, thus contributing to the island’s water levels which are very often extremely stretched during the intense heat at the height of summer. The dams are stocked with 17 species of fish. The most popular are: Trout, largemouth bass, carp, Tike perch, Roach, etc. Six dams in Troodos provide excellent fresh-water fishing opportunities throughout the year.These are: - Kafizes dam - Kalopanagiotis dam - Palaichori dam - Prodromos dam - Xyliatos dam - Asprokremmos dam.
Show MapThis area is renowned for its richness of flora and fauna, hence its name. It contains 750 species of plants. The park animal life is protected here. The birds are of particular interest to nature observers: the Bonelli’s Eagle, the Griffon Vulture, the Scops Owl, the Cyprus Warbler, the Cyprus Pied Wheatear and many others. In the wider area you can encounter the moufflon (Ovis Gmelini Ophion), a species of wild mountain sheep with thick sinuous horns that lives there. The geology is unique in this region with an ophiolite complex created from oceanic crust 90 million years ago and is still well preserved and observable throughout the area.
Show MapEnjoy beautiful autumn days in Troodos by visiting the forest, the villages, the vineyards and the amazing views from the highests points of Troodos Mountains. A complete network of amazing walking trails starting either from the top of the Troodos mountains, with unspoiled, breathtaking views over the sea and the near by villages or across the rivers where the sounds of nature blended with the beauty of the trees and plants invite you to a lifetime experience beyond your imagination and expectations. Live the moment. Enhance your senses and experience to the full one of the most beautiful places in the whole world.
The Troodos area is blessed with a unique beautiful natural environment, with unspoiled villages of traditional architecture, which are complemented by th warm hospitality and the authenticity of the locals. The Troodos Mountains are the biggest mountain range in Cyprus, culminating in the historic Mt. Olympus at 1952 meters. . See the island from a different perspective; go to the mountains of Cyprus. At 6,500 feet above sea level, the tip of Troodos gives amazing 360o views of the whole island.Troodos maps and visitor information.
General Map Thematic Map
