Machairas Forest Trails

Cyprus Nature Trails

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Akamas

Pitsylia

Forest Park Of Athalassa

Machairas Forest

Machairas Forest Trails

The 4 trails in this area are near the picturesque villages of Lefkara, Kato Drys, Vavatsinia, and the area of Kionia in the Machairas Forest.
Lefkara, with its stone-built houses is renowned for its hand-made embroidery, known as "Lefkaritika". The beautiful House of Patsalos houses the Traditional Museum of Embraidery & Silversmithing. The rich flora of the area includes a rare plant, strictly protected by the Bern Convention. The Lefkara Astragalus (Astragalus macrocarpus ssp. lefkarensis)

Trails

1. Kionia - Profitis Ilias
Starting point: Kionia picnic site. Accessible either from Vavatsinia or from the Machairas Monastery road, which leads to Kionia.
Length: 7 kms Time: 3 hours

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Points of interest: The trail goes down to the Monostery of Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah) where there is a spring with drinking water.

2. Vavatsinia (Spilia tis Athasias)
Starting point: A loose surface road, which begins at the Vavatsinia - Kionia forest road. 3 kms outside Vavatsinia
Length: 2 kms Time: 1 hour
Points of Interest: "Spilia tis Athasias" (cave). It is believed that this was a shaft used for mining.

3. Lefkara - Chapel of the Transfiguration (Circular)
Starting point: In the village of Lefkara, on the road to Vavatsinia. An uphill course to the chapel that eventually leads back to the village.
Length: 3 kms Time: 1 1/2 hours
Points of interest: The chapel of the Transfiguration (Metamorfosis tou Sotiros) built on the peak above Lefkara (727m). A panoramic view of Pano and Kato Lefkara, Kato Drys and the Monastery of Agios Minas.

4. Lefkaro - Kato Drys
Starting point: The same with trail No 3. After the chapel, the trail takes another path down to Kato Drys.
Length: 2.5 kms Time: 1 hour

Points of interest: The well-known Agios Minas Convent can be seen near Kato Drys.
Opening Hours: The convent is open to groups of visitors from Mondays to Fridays only.