Ο Μεγάλος Κύκλος των Εγκαταλελειμμένων Χωριών (Παρσάτα - Αγ.Σπυρίδων - Δράπεια) / The 'Abandoned Villages' Great Loop

Disclaimer: Specific parts of this trail might not be accessible during the rainy season. Please pay attention to the following description before following the trail!

The 'abandoned villages' of Parsata and Drapeia are well-known to bikers and off-roaders. However, hiking the area has not been such a popular activity, at least based on the Wikiloc trails which are available. Furthermore, hiking is restricted to the west side of the hill (Vasilikos River Valley), while the east side (St. Minas River Valley) contains arguably one of the most interesting sites, the abandoned village of St. Spyridon and the very beautiful little medieval bridge close to it.

The suggested trail provides a novel experience to hikers in the area, by connecting all these sites into one, comprehensive mega-trail. It is demanding, but very satisfying, because it is rich in folklore and historical sights!

The trail starts at the edge of the Kalavasos dam, a couple of kms north of the Kalavasos village, very easily accessible through a paved road. Initially rather flat, the trail quickly joins a small path (which I identified through Google maps!) at around the 2kms mark. This was most probably the old path connecting Parsata with the Kalavasos mines south of the dam. This short, 1km path is the only part of this trail where you will have to 'hike' in the traditional way. The bushes are overgrown at some places, but nothing difficult really.

A 1km sharp ascend to the abandoned village of Parsata follows through a rough dirt road. The surface of almost all dirt roads described in this trail is made of loose chalk stones. So, while the roads are generally wide, they are not 'easy' on the feet! Parsata is a village which we know it existed as a a medieval feud. It was most probably deserted during the Ottoman times, and was re-populated by Kalavasos mine workers during the late 19th - early 20th century. It was abandoned again after the mines ceased to operate, but its ruins remain in generally very good condition. The doors of many houses have been recently re-painted, and there is a barn with goats. The new Church of Panagia Hodegetria dominates the area, which provide magnificent views, especially to the south. Of special interest is the traditional architecture of the houses, especially their roofs (where they remain intact). Do also note the abundance of centuries-old olive and carob trees! My estimation is that some of the olive trees must be at least 400-years old!

The main innovation (and difficulty) of the suggested trail starts here. We leave Parsata and continue our ascend north (towards Vavla); however we don't enter Vavla, but turn west towards the paved Chirokitia - Vavla road instead. Once the highest point of this trail (541 metres) is reached at around the 6kms mark, a short descend takes us to the main road. A very short segment of walking on the main road follows, which requires some attention as it is narrow and it does not provide adequate room for walkers (it is simply not meant to be walked on!).

At around the 7.5 kms mark, we join the dirt road which takes us to the west side of the hill. Very different landscape on this part, with less vegetation and more 'raggedness'. The road is very wide at many points (serves as a fire protection zone). You will enjoy the gradual descend towards the valley of St. Minas, with beautiful views to the valley. At the 9 kms mark we turn left and join a much narrower dirt road which takes us down the river. You will have the chance to overview the entire abandoned village of Agios Spyridon from high above before you reach the riverbed. At this point (around 10 kms), comes the first point of caution:

RIVER CROSSING #1 St. Minas River, while not well-known, is one of the longest of the island, and it can also carry a powerful stream, because it is very narrow in most places. Even in a very dry time period (like late 2023) it did carry water. You would not be able to pass it through without waterproof boots (ankle-high ones), unless you do not mind getting wet! There is nothing dangerous if there is a normal flow. But if the season is rainy, and the river comes down strong, then this would not be passable, perhaps even by car.

After the river is crossed, you will enter the abandoned village of Agios Spyridon. This is most probably medieval as well, but it is mostly famous as the place that the carob trees' harvest from the surrounding areas was collected and stored in warehouses during the last 200 years. They were subsequently sent to the harbour of Zygi (Zygi means 'weight' in Greek language) for weighing and shipping. The remains of these warehouses is what is now left in the village, plus the new Church of Agios Spyridon. Unfortunately the vegetation does not allow easy access to some warehouses, but you can see (and photograph) a lot of them.

Th highlight of the trail comes next. But in order to access it you have to make sure ... it is accessible!

RIVER CROSSING #2 If you take the small south path from St. Spyridon village, you will have to cross the river again. Unfortunately, the river creates a small, deeper lake right in front of the path, and the overgrown reeds left and right of the crossing do not allow an easy way through. With a bit of flexibility (and waterproof boots), you will pass to the ether side without problems. But this is certainly an area which will be even more difficult to cross if the river is going down strong.

Once you successfully cross the river, a short walk though the fields will take you to the very beautiful medieval bridge (11 kms mark). This is unlike the classic medieval bridges which exist in the island. It is much smaller in size and shorter in height. It has a gothic arch, and (if the river is not strong), you can walk underneath it. The whole area ('Pera Kambos') is simply magical during the 'green' season. I did find there the oldest carob tree I have personally seen in the island!

For these reasons, it is really a pity that the village of Kato Drys has not developed a guaranteed access to the bridge at all seasons. In any case, it makes this trail quite unique!

While I prefer not to repeat parts of a trail, in this case, the only rational option is to climb up the hill again in order to reach the main road. It might seem tiring and difficult at first, but the elevation pattern is manageable. Plus, it adds to the 'fitness' profile of the entire trail.

At the 14kms mark you join again the main road, and start your descend towards the last 'abandoned' village of the trail. The first two and a half kms are on a paved road and on a very wide, top-quality dirt road. Once you pass the chapel on your right, you will descend on a much more 'ragged' dirt road towards 'Drapeia'.

Drapeia is the last of the 'abandoned villages' visited in this trail. It does feel much less 'abandoned' than the other two villages, as it is crossed by a paved road from Kalavasos, while there exist many new houses and farms in the area. It shares a similar history to Parsata, and its ruins are equally impressive and picturesque! The new Church of Agios Georgios is very well maintained and frequently visited by the locals (and not only). The visit to Drapeia is followed by a short descend to the Vasilikos riverbed.

RIVER Crossing #3 While it is highly unlikely that the Vasilikos dam will be overflown (it happens very rarely), do note that this riverbed is downstream of the dam. Even if the dam is not overflown, during a very rainy season, the stream might be full. This is the least problematic of the trails' crossings, but you need to keep it also in mind! After passing the riverbed you will join the main road and reach your starting point 2kms later.

Enjoyable trail! But you need to pick your season carefully. There is almost no shade and no water flowing during the summer, so it will be very difficult to complete it, and (more importantly), it will not be so much enjoyable. On the other hand, it will not be accessible (in its entirety) during a rainy season. So late autumn, early winter and late spring are possibly good time periods to try it.