Atalanti Nature Trail Troodos Limassol Cyprus
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 8.65 mi
- Elevation gain
- 436 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 436 ft
- Max elevation
- 5,931 ft
- TrailRank
-
86
4.8
- Min elevation
- 5,589 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 4 hours 36 minutes
- Time
- 8 hours 29 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2455
- Uploaded
- June 29, 2019
- Recorded
- June 2019
near Tróodos, Eparchía Lemesoú (Cyprus)
Viewed 30409 times, downloaded 876 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Easy trail almost no elevation just long.. Beautiful trail I think I did love even more than Artemis Trail. This trail due to length will be never crowded :) Even in tourist season I did met only a few people. The surface is rocky, good hiking boots, not harm... there is plenty of sunshine and shade as well. Benches are available often, even fresh water at 3km, one of the best water what I did ever drink. Taste is fantastic and cold! No difficulties at all, the part trail is ideal to a family walking. Easy to follow very well marked and maintained trail I think from this point of view best one on Cyprus.
Chromium mine what you able to see here:
The Hadjipavlou mine is the smallest chrome mine of Cyprus operated during the period 1950-1954 using underground exploitation methods for the chromite ore recovery. From this mine, approximately 1,500 tons of high-grade chrome ore was produced. It is estimated that from the three Chrome mines around the Olympus Mountain, approximately 1,200,000 tons of ore were extracted, which after it’s processing more than 605,000 tons of chromite concentrates were produced.
This trail took its name from the ancient forest nymph of the Atalanti forests, a famous hunter and runner, protected by the Greek goddess, Artemis. It follows a course around Chionistra at an altitude of 1700-1750m and passes through dense clusters of black pine of the Troodos mountains. It offers excellent views of many areas and villages of Limassol, Pafos, and Nicosia. Of particular interest is the entrance to the Chromium Mining Gallery, which has been in operation since 1982. At a distance of 3km from the starting point, there is a natural water spring with drinking water and wooden benches. On the way, there are explanatory signs for plants, shrubs and also the characteristic Ophiolite complex of Troodos. The path starts from the Troodos Square and ends at the settlement of the Chromium mines at an altitude of 1750m. To return back to Troodos Square, one can follow the main asphalt road of Prodromos-Troodos or the forest trail, east of this road.
About the geology of Cyprus: The more widely accepted theory describing the geological formation of Cyprus refers to the subduction and plate collision of two separate tectonic domains, the northern Alpine orogenic belt, and the southern Eastern Mediterranean basin. The process is believed to have taken place in the Mesozoic Tethyan Ocean period (roughly, 90 million years ago). Key evidence in favor of this theory is the juxtaposed series of fragments of oceanic and continental crust, with oceanic crustal fragments preserved as ophiolite sequences, seen in various localities.
About the geology of Troodos: Cyprus was created at a convergent ocean-continent boundary. Troodos was created when the African plate subducted under the Eurasian plate, partial melt took place and magma rose from deep inside the Earth (a volcanic eruption). Troodos is an ophiolite formed above a subduction zone. The crustal sequence of Troodos consists of plutonic complex, sheeted dyke complex and pillow lavas. Troodos is rich in several minerals, including copper, umbers, ochres, chromite, and the lethal asbestos deposits. Copper is the predominant mineral and has been mined and exported since ancient times. Its chemical name in Latin (Cuprum) is said to be related to the name of the island (Cyprus).
The Troodos Ophiolite Stratigraphy and subdivisions, from lower to top, are as follows.
The Troodos ophiolite consists of 3 subdivided units: the structurally deepest but topographically highest Plutonic Complex; the overlying and surrounding Sheeted Dyke Complex; the stratigraphically highest Pillow Lava Series, which forms a discontinuous ring around the Troodos massif. On top of the ophiolite, we find the Umbers unit. Described in a 2-sequence division, the Troodos ophiolite is made up of the lower Mantle sequence and the upper Crustal sequence.
source: https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-atalanti-walk-sunday-8-november/
Chromium mine what you able to see here:
The Hadjipavlou mine is the smallest chrome mine of Cyprus operated during the period 1950-1954 using underground exploitation methods for the chromite ore recovery. From this mine, approximately 1,500 tons of high-grade chrome ore was produced. It is estimated that from the three Chrome mines around the Olympus Mountain, approximately 1,200,000 tons of ore were extracted, which after it’s processing more than 605,000 tons of chromite concentrates were produced.
This trail took its name from the ancient forest nymph of the Atalanti forests, a famous hunter and runner, protected by the Greek goddess, Artemis. It follows a course around Chionistra at an altitude of 1700-1750m and passes through dense clusters of black pine of the Troodos mountains. It offers excellent views of many areas and villages of Limassol, Pafos, and Nicosia. Of particular interest is the entrance to the Chromium Mining Gallery, which has been in operation since 1982. At a distance of 3km from the starting point, there is a natural water spring with drinking water and wooden benches. On the way, there are explanatory signs for plants, shrubs and also the characteristic Ophiolite complex of Troodos. The path starts from the Troodos Square and ends at the settlement of the Chromium mines at an altitude of 1750m. To return back to Troodos Square, one can follow the main asphalt road of Prodromos-Troodos or the forest trail, east of this road.
About the geology of Cyprus: The more widely accepted theory describing the geological formation of Cyprus refers to the subduction and plate collision of two separate tectonic domains, the northern Alpine orogenic belt, and the southern Eastern Mediterranean basin. The process is believed to have taken place in the Mesozoic Tethyan Ocean period (roughly, 90 million years ago). Key evidence in favor of this theory is the juxtaposed series of fragments of oceanic and continental crust, with oceanic crustal fragments preserved as ophiolite sequences, seen in various localities.
About the geology of Troodos: Cyprus was created at a convergent ocean-continent boundary. Troodos was created when the African plate subducted under the Eurasian plate, partial melt took place and magma rose from deep inside the Earth (a volcanic eruption). Troodos is an ophiolite formed above a subduction zone. The crustal sequence of Troodos consists of plutonic complex, sheeted dyke complex and pillow lavas. Troodos is rich in several minerals, including copper, umbers, ochres, chromite, and the lethal asbestos deposits. Copper is the predominant mineral and has been mined and exported since ancient times. Its chemical name in Latin (Cuprum) is said to be related to the name of the island (Cyprus).
The Troodos Ophiolite Stratigraphy and subdivisions, from lower to top, are as follows.
The Troodos ophiolite consists of 3 subdivided units: the structurally deepest but topographically highest Plutonic Complex; the overlying and surrounding Sheeted Dyke Complex; the stratigraphically highest Pillow Lava Series, which forms a discontinuous ring around the Troodos massif. On top of the ophiolite, we find the Umbers unit. Described in a 2-sequence division, the Troodos ophiolite is made up of the lower Mantle sequence and the upper Crustal sequence.
source: https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-atalanti-walk-sunday-8-november/
Waypoints
Car park
Panorama
Photo
5,668 ft
Hadjipavlou Chromium mine
Closed by collapse so no way to get into safely. The Hadjipavlou mine is the smallest chrome mine of Cyprus operated during the period 1950-1954 using underground exploitation methods for the chromite ore recovery. From this mine, approximately 1,500 tons of high-grade chrome ore was produced. It is estimated that from the three Chrome mines around the Olympus Mountain, approximately 1,200,000 tons of ore were extracted, which after it’s processing more than 605,000 tons of chromite concentrates were produced.
Intersection
5,868 ft
Take right
Funny guys took the letters from Troodos Square label and follow white spots arrows on rocks App said I did reach maximum waypoints huuh so no more pictures itenary just go more 2 miles.
Comments (24)
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Long walk, beautiful natural environment!
I thought it was a good idea ... the snow was deep, to find and follow the trail was really challenging, light hiking shoes, no gaiters ... So no, it wasnt fun at all :D I left the trail at the ski lift and walk back on road. Maybe next year ...
THX, Great work as always!
what a beautiful route,it is the best trail with wonderful photo
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Very nice trail. As described, it's long but not technically difficult. The main problem in my opinion was swarms and swarms of insects during about four long stretches, comprising maybe 30% of the trail. Although they did not sting, there were so many of them that it was very unpleasant and at some points I had to run through the trail covering my mouth and nose with my hand. Maybe it's the time of the year, I don't know. I will do the trail again. Thanks for the detailed information, pictures and all the tips.
Thank you for the review! I think you were unlucky :( I did this trail approx week before with my friends at daytime and didn't experience any insects invasions , true we lost the fountain area at 3 km at this time, rest of our walk was matched with the official trail.
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Moderate
It was amazing!
We came under the rain on this route. But this did not spoil the impression
Thank you for your review!! I am glad you did still enjoy it, even in rain!
They say that the third time is the charm, but I decided to try again last Sunday and it was a very, very pleasant trail, with barely any insects this time, so in my case the second time was the charm. I probably was unlucky last time to hit that one day of the year in which they probably mate or something like that... I still prefer Artemis for the views, but Atalanti is very nice for the longer distance. For trail runs, this has to be my favourite so far! Thanks again for such a great, detailed route, @CyprusMustSee - it's much appreciated!
Thank you my friend to make it again and confirm it , this time was no issue with bugs at all! Look forward your next hike!
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Easy to follow, scenery views, different nature, many benches.
Done with 2 dogs and 12yo kid.
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Very nice
That is a great trail. Very spectacular. Very comfortable. Was very easy for me. I saw a lot of gigantic lizards. =)
Thank you for your review!
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Moderate
Not too difficult, quite flat, not many ascents or descents in the trail. Admirable views, weather can change quickly several time while hiking.
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Moderate
Great trail. Easy to walk but a little bit long. The panoramic views were amazing.
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Pretty easy and nice trail
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Nice long trail, has sections going through a shady forest, which was nice on a hot afternoon. Met a huge ass Cyprus viper snake in the rocky part of the trail.
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Very nice scenic route. Perfect for a long yet easy and relaxing hike. You’d hardly get you heart rate up at all, but would still feel the satisfaction of a good workout after.
The views are amazing and the nature along the route sublime. Enjoy!
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Ruta fácil, agradable y bien señalizada. Cuidado a tropezar porque hay muchas piedras. La información abusa de los waypoints. La mayoría son innecesarios. La campana del teléfono no ha parado de sonar durante todo el camino.
2414 Nicosia Cyprus Limassol Crayola
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Moderate
a nice trail
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Incredibly beautiful and easy trail
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Easy trail to follow when using this listing. It’s not very hilly. I did in just under 3hrs, walking
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Super easy to follow and super easy to pass! I started at 6:30 in the morning and met zero people during the trip. Passing time is 2:14:00 average speed 6.5 km/h. From time to time It's quite compforbale to jog what I naturally did in some parts of the trail. Thank you!