Καλοπαναγιώτης Περιεκτική Διαδρομή - Kalopanayiotis Comprehensive Trail

Kalopanayiotis is an exemplary village in Cyprus. The elected village leader Mr. Giannakis Papadouris transformed Kalopanayiotis during the last 20 years from a typically aging village to one of the hot spots of Cyprus. Among the many things that make Kalopanayiotis exemplary is its impressive set of trails which traverse both the valley of Setrachos River across the village, as well as the eastern area of the valley which leads up to the Pyrgomoutti mountaintop.

The proposed trail constitutes a comprehensive, multi-dimensional take on the set of Kalopanayiotis trails (and beyond). It is by no means easy due both to its length, and the total elevation which exceeds 1000 meters. I believe it is ideal for someone who wishes to experience the 'full Monty' of available trails in half a day. If you have additional time then certainly you can experience all trails individually in a much easier fashion. Additionally, the trail introduces a number of (I believe) interesting detours, in order to visit some additional places which are not included in the official trails.

The trail starts from the parking lot just before the bridge which leads to the famous UNESCO Monastery of Ioannis Lambadistis. Turn east and you will find an entrance to the Trail no.1 (Path of the Rivers). Follow it in order to visit the impressive heritage monument of Kykkos Water Mill. The trail continues along the Setrachos River to the north. Amazing scenery, lots of water even in the dry months of mid-autumn. Once you reach the asphalt road turn left and you will soon see the area of the beautiful one-arched Venetian bridge which still stands strong after 500 years in operation! In the same place you will find the famous Kalopanayiotis sulphur springs, which have been in operation since antiquity.

Further up the road you reach the Monastery. You can visit it at this point, but I suggest that you make a dedicated visit to the Monastery, as it is mighty impressive and you will need some time to really appreciate it. Continue right on trail no. 2 and you will soon reach another impressive sight, the Medieval Church of Panagia Theoskepasti with a majestic 700-year old Quercus coccifera tree protecting her from above. Mighty impressive.

Continue on the same road but don't turn left for Trail no.2. Instead, continue up the road next to the Troulinos stream which leads to the area where the medieval village of Troulinos was situated. There is a lot of history associated with this now extinct village, but this is too long to describe it here. I propose that you make a detour and continue until the area of the Panagia Mavroforousa Church. It is not an old church (built in 1970), but it is built in the area where the old church of Panagia Molivoskepasti existed, a church with a 'bloody' history according to tradition (again too long to describe it here).

Turn back, and on your right you can start your ascend towards Anelikou as part of Trail no. 3. This is probably the most demanding part of the proposed trail, as it quite a steep ascend. It is rather short though. Very nice to see the vineyards once you climb up to the top of this part. Continue north, not left / west (the Trail is now called 3a), and you will reach the junction towards the antennas at 'Asprochomata'. A small climb will take you up to Pyrgomoutti, the highest point of the trail (1170 meters). The views are fantastic left and right, but the structure built as observatory at the top is rather aesthetically 'wrong'.

In any case, return to the junction and start your descend. After a very nice walk on the forest road you will reach the small spring of Ioannis Lampadistis. You can re-fill water there, this is very important for such a long trail. A bit further down the road it's a second proposed detour towards the Church of Pangia Agniotissa. Again, this is a new Church (built in 2002), but very nicely made. the whole area is peaceful and ideal for a short snack.

Back on the main trail, after 2 kms you reach the Winery. The detour I tried here is actually NOT recommended. I experimented going up again using Trail no. 3, but this part is very uphill without offering something worthwhile. There are some impressive views of the vineyards, but that's that. I turned back towards trail no. 2 quickly, as you can see in the recording. I suggest to skip this detour and simply continue from the winery on the rightmost road towards the Kokkala valley, which will take you in a very easy way to exactly the same place.

After a third detour to visit the view point of Trail no. 2 over Kalopanayiotis, I turned back and started descending the valley of Kokkala. Very nice part this one, with lots of information about plants for all hikers interested in flora. The easiest path would have been to continue straight down to the asphalt road, but it would not have been comprehensive enough. Hence, turn right towards the winery, up the hill, and then down again on the old Oikos - Kalopanayiotis path. After you reach the Oikos village, pass the main Church of Agios Ioannis on your left and then turn left to reach and join Trail 1 again.

This part of the Setrachos Valley is FANTASTIC. Literally thousands of Cyclamen Cyprium on the trail in late October! Make a small detour towards the 'Little Waterfall', it's worth it! Later on you will reach the area of the old Hatzichambos Watermill. There is not much left of it, but again the area is wonderful. Pass the bridge on the other side. Go up. Two options here. There is a little uphill trail on your left side that will take you to the Monastery next to the river (there is no sign there unfortunately). Not bad, but nothing impressive. I prefer to take you up and straight to the Kalopanayiotis main tourist road through the Casale Panayiotis complex, in order to appreciate what Kalopanayiotis has to offer nowadays. Final return from the Monastery to the parking lot following the same path I used at the start.

That's it! It may sound complex but its is actually very straightforward once you do it once using my recording. And of course it can be much easier and shorter without the detours. Overall a brilliant hiking experience, but also a beautiful way to experience most of the culture, history and vegetation that this blessed area has to offer.

Enjoy!