Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AKAMAS PENINSULA
This part of western Cyprus, jutting almost defiantly into the Mediterranean, is one of the
island's last remaining wildernesses. Visitors can still traverse the Akamas as long as
they're prepared to walk, ride a trail bike or bump along in a sturdy 4WD. Those with less
stamina can take tour boats that sail the Akamas coastline from Latsi, west of Polis. The
peninsula can be approached from two sides: from the east via Polis, or from the south via
the little village of Agios Georgios. Tracks linking the two entry points are very rough, per-
haps deliberately so as to discourage traffic.
The peninsula's big attraction is its abundant flora and fauna, resulting from Akamas'
position as the easternmost point of the three major plant-life zones of Europe. There are
around 600 plant species here, and 35 of them are unique to Cyprus. There are also 68 bird
species, 12 types of mammals, 20 species of reptile and many butterflies, including the nat-
ive
Glaucopsyche pafos,
the symbol of the region.
The only public transport to the area is the bus from Polis to the Baths of Aphrodite.
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Activities
Hiking
Easily the most popular way to get a taste of the Akamas is to spend a few hours hiking one
of the following trails, which run through the northeastern sector of the peninsula. All can
start and end at one of two points: the Baths of Aphrodite, or Smigies picnic ground, which
is reached via an unsealed road 2.5km west of Neo Chorio.
The two most popular trails are those that start and end at the Baths of Aphrodite. They
are both longer than the Smigies trails and offer better views. The first is the
Aphrodite
Trail
, a 7.5km, three- to four-hour loop. It heads inland and upwards to begin with; as this
can be tiring on a hot day, make an early start if you can. Halfway along the trail you can
see the ruins of
Pyrgos tis Rigainas
(Queen's Tower), part of a Byzantine monastery. Look
for the huge 100-year-old oak tree nearby before you head up to the summit of
Mouti tis
Sotiras
(370m). At this point you head east and down towards the coastal track, which will
eventually lead you back to the car park.
The second hike, the 3½-hour, 7.5km
Adonis Trail
, shares the same path as the Aphrod-
ite as far as Queen's Tower but then turns left (south) before looping back to the car park.
Note that, in order to complete its circular path, the trail follows the main road connecting
the Baths of Aphrodite and Polis for about 400m. Alternatively, you can turn right (south)
