Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
beforehand. The wineries offer vineyard tours and are happy for you to taste freely. You ought to buy at least one
bottle, though, which isn't much of a hardship.
Take the B8 south from Platres, then turn onto the E806 towards Pelendri. Look for the signs to the
1
Tsiak-
kas
2
Winery
and make a stop to taste some excellent dry whites and a commendable cab sav. Just before you
come to Pelendri, take the right-hand turn to the
3
Church of Timios Stavros
, one of the region's most magnifi-
cent painted churches with rare 12th-century paintings. Continue on the F949 past Potamitissa and Dymes vil-
lages until you reach
4
Kyperounda
and the Kyperounda Winery. This contemporary winery has a large range
of whites and reds and a particularly palatable red blend called Andessitis. Next stops are the high-altitude vil-
lages of
5
Handria
and
6
Lagoudera
, on the F915, with abundant vineyards. Here you can stop and see the
Unesco-listed 12th-century Byzantine church of
7
Panagia tou Araka
. Double back a short way then wind past
8
Polystypos
and
9
Alona
on the F915, then turn onto the E903 to reach the village of
a
Agros
, home of many
mavros grapevines. Here you can finish the day perusing a number of gourmet specialty shops and stay overnight
at the lovely Rodon Hotel.
HIKING IN PITSYLIA
Pitsylia has some well-marked hiking trails, including two short circular trails. Most take an out-and-back ap-
proach, unless you're hiking to the next village. Routes traverse forests, orchards, villages, valleys and mountain
peaks, offering some of the best recreational hiking on the island.
The CTO's pamphlet
Cyprus: Nature Trails
provides good maps of these trails, but it's still advisable to take
detailed maps of the greater region. The
www.maps-and-walks.com/cyprus
is another reliable resource for self-
guided walks and maps in the region.
Doxasi o Theos to Madari Fire Station (3.75km, two hours) A panoramic ridge-top hike with excellent views.
The trail starts 2km outside Kyperounda.
Teisia tis Madari (3km, 1½ hours, circular) A continuation of the first route, this involves a circular cliff-top
hike around Mt Madari (Adelfi; 1613m) with first-rate views.
Panagia tou Araka (Lagoudera) to Agros (6km, 2½ hours) A longer hike through vineyards and orchards, with
a great viewpoint from the Madari-Papoutsas ridge.
Panagia tou Araka to Stavros tou Agiasmati (7km, 3½ hours) Takes in two of the most important Byzantine
churches and weaves through forests, vineyards and stone terraces. This is the longest hike.
Agros to Kato Mylos (5km, two hours, circular) A gentle hike through cherry and pear orchards and past vine-
yards and rose gardens.
Petros Vanezis to Alona (1.5km, 30 minutes, circular) A shorter hike around the village of Alona, passing
through hazelnut plantations.
Agia Irini to Spilies tou Digeni (3.2km, 1½ hours) A simple out-and-back hike to the concealed Digenis caves,
where EOKA members hid during the insurgency of 1955-59.
