Κουτραφάς (Ρόδον Αμάραντον) - Μάντρες - Μούττη του Θκια (Κυκλική) / Koutrafas Super Trail

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*Before you follow this trail please read carefully the following description regarding a military restricted area and how to avoid it*

*Suggested season: Late Autumn to Early Spring*

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This is an attempt to design a super trail in an area which is not covered through Wikiloc by any hiking trail whatsoever! Kato Koutrafas is a well-known village but it is primarily used (at least from the Wikiloc family) as a starting point for cycling adventures towards Troodos, not for hiking purposes. It is a pity, as this is an area which has been continuously inhibited since antiquity, and it has a lot to offer, both culturally and aesthetically. Unfortunately, it also has a military exercise field which needs to be negotiated. But, at minimum, it can provide you with an excellent lots fitness hiking (or running) experience!

We start our adventure at the heart of the village, from the place where the Virgin Mary Church (Ρόδον το Αμάραντον) is situated. The Church is well know in Cyprus because the Virgin Mary icon has the reputation of being miraculous. It was built in the late 18th century. The west and north doors survive from an ancient church which was built at the same place. You can also see an ancient marble columns with a capital at the courtyard, in front of the Church. Don't forget to enjoy carefully the magnificent wooden iconostastis of the Church, which was built in 1927.

The first 5kms of the trail are situated on wide and comfortable dirt roads. While they don't provide much entertainment, you can certainly enjoy the lash green fields left and right of the path, especially during springtime.

The first highlight of the trail is the abandoned village of Mandres. You will see the ruins of the village on your left hand-side, at around the 4.7 km mark. The village was created by shepherds during the Ottoman times, and it was inhibited until the middle of the 20th century. It is quite a spectacle! You can experience some of the architectural elements of the traditional Cypriot houses like the use of river stones for building the foundations of the houses, and the use of mud bricks for the upper parts. There is a very nice drone video presentation of Mandres created by the Cyprus Landscapes Team. You can enjoy it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl_GrlJ6GSA

Mandres has been one of the subjects of the Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project (TAESP), which investigated (during the period 2001-2003) human activity in the north-central Troodos mountains of Cyprus during all time periods. Part of this survey is available here:

https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_32743_smxx.pdf

The survey uncovered significant evidence of human habitation in Mandres since the prehistoric times!

The second part of the trail uses forest roads plus a small part of the famous and official Asinou - Agios Theodoros trail to take you up after 7kms to the altitude of 642 metres at 'Selladi tis Zefxis'. This is a much more enjoyable part, with a steady elevation pattern, and lots of opportunities to hide from the sun under the shade of pine trees. Having said that, it is sad spectacle to see the real devastation that the caterpillars have inflicted on the pine trees. Hundreds of them are dead in this area. Let's hope that the measures which have been taken from the Forest Department for this problem all over Cyprus will have an effect.

We are now in the area which is part of the Atsas Mountain Race, an event which has not taken place since the start of the pandemic, and which I have tried to revitalise as a hiking experience recently. Please visit this link for details:

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/asinou-arkatzin-tou-rotsou-phalakros-moutte-tou-thkia-anepisemo-kukliko-atsas-mountain-race-unoffic-92308527

As discussed in that trail, the short 1km ascend goes 'straight up' to the mountaintop of 'Moutti tou Thkia', so be prepared! Do also note that this is not an official trail, and therefore it is not well-maintained. It is not dangerous, but make sure you stay on the track that I have recorded because it is easy to lose it. The vegetation gets progressively bigger each month that passes, and I don't think anyone will clear it any time soon!

After you enjoy the amazing views from the top of the mountain, the descend starts. Do be careful as I indicated in the description of the previous trail. Keep your speed low and use the trick I explained for that trail.

The descend would have been rather boring, but thankfully there is a 'catch'! At the 16km mark there is a very nice and very narrow semi-abandoned forest (?) road, which will take you down to the lower levels through a small gorge (3kms in length). This is probably used nowadays by off-road motorcyclists. In any case, it is very enjoyable. I didn't know anything about it, I discovered it by examining the map during my initial design and decided to give it a go. It was a resounding success!

We are almost there. PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING, AND DON'T FOLLOW THE PATH FROM 18.6KM UNTIL 20.3 KM. This is a restricted area as it contains a military fire range facility. I only found out after I joined the main road, because there was no sign from the side of the mountain. The area is only an exercise field, there are no soldiers stationed there. It's not really dangerous, as soldiers will be guarding the area in the event of shooting practice. You would not be able to pass this road anyway. But it's better to stay off it for obvious reasons. THERE IS A VERY EASY BYPASS: just continue left on the forest road on the 18.6km mark. It will take you back to the initial ascend path at the 5.8km mark. It will be a bit longer, but nothing dramatic, as these are only straightforward forest / dirt roads.

Once you rejoin the main path to Koutrafas, you are finished. You can take your time to collect as many spring flowers as you can (not the rare ones of course!) before you arrive at the Church. That's what I did! (check the photos!)

Hope you will like this new trail and I am looking forward to suggestions for alternative path in this area!

The path is rated 'Difficult' due to overall length and elevation. However, it should be straightforward for experienced hikers.