Λυθροδόντας - Βρύση του Πετρή - Προφήτης Ηλίας (κυκλική) / Lythrodontas - Vrysi tou Petri - Profitis Ilias (Circular)

A typical fitness (in terms of length) track, passing through some very unique places. You can start from Lythrodontas village, I started a bit up the road to Kyprovasa, as this allows for much more shade for the upward section during hot summer days (start early!). Initially going down the valley, you reach the area where the medieval village of Kyprovasa used to be. It is now a field full of olive trees (some of them ancient). There are also some ruined houses and ... a sole palm tree! The area ie extremely beautiful, especially during winter / springtime!
Continue south, and follow my track towards Vavatsinia for just a few metres, in order to see a recently unveiled part of an old aqueduct. No information is available about it, but it worth taking a photo of the hand-made arch.
Turn back and take the forest road towards Profitis Ilias. You walk next to a nice valley of pine trees, terebinthus, cistus, wild levander, and all the typical Cyprus vegetation for this area / altitude. At around 4kms from Kyprovasa, don't miss Mantra tou Klosmatou, the old restored animal paddock on your left (it is signposted, and I have also put it in Google Maps). Fantastic place, especially in springtime. There is even a bench where you can have a pick nick!
Almost adjacent you can refill water from a recently restored fountain known as Vrysi tou Petri.
Continue up (north), and 3 kms further you will find the well-known former Monastery of Profitis Ilias, now abandoned. The church is still in good shape, and continuously restored by the Monastery of Machairas which owns it. The whole area is popular with cyclists, motor-riders etc. Follow my track for a small detour to an area below the monastery that few know: the area with the ancient olive trees, which are protected by Department of Forests. Many of them are at least 500 years old.
The return is from the Lythrodontas - Profitis Ilias dirt road. Nothing exciting, but you get to walk a typical stage of the Cyprus Rally and appreciate what the drivers face! Towards the end I have investigated a shortcut which did not lead anywhere. Don't take it! You can of course use the E4 track to return to Lythrodontas. Enjoy!