Persephone Trail Troodos Square Makria Kontarka Limassol Cyprus

Very easy well-marked trail ideal for family walks. Video: https://youtu.be/W9NLvd7xpBg
The route of the trail is circular, with the first half following the forest trail and the rest (returning) being a forest road. Midway at the “Makria Kontarka” locality, at an altitude of 1660 m, a path leads to an impressive viewpoint, from where you may enjoy the view towards the villages and vineyards of Limassol district, the Cape Gata and the Akrotiri Salt Lake. Around the viewpoint, you will be able to see cedar and juniper reforestation. During the following route towards the end of the trail, enjoy the view of the Amiantos Asbestos Mine. The route passes through rich vegetation and a dense black pine forest. Along the trail, you will find signs with information about the plants, shrubs, and trees that can be found in Troodos Forest. The trail got its name from the goddess of Greek mythology Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Hades, fascinated by her beauty, kidnapped Persephone while picking flowers,
transferring her to the underworld. According to the myth, after her abduction, Persephone was rising from the underworld to Earth and returning back for four months, with her rise symbolizing the euphoria of nature and her descent the winter frost.

http://www.cypruswalksetc.com/uploads/9/8/4/1/98419748/troodos_persephone_trail_leaflet.pdf

Starts: 150m south of Troodos Square, in the direction of the police station.
Length: 3km
Estimated duration: 1 hour
Difficulty rate: 1
Points of interest: Lush vegetation. For the first 2km of the route, the walker will pass through dense black pine forest. The ending point at Makria Kontarka offers a stunning view. The trail is located within the Troodos National Forest Park and it is part of the European E4 path. The Kampos tou Livadiou picnic area is located 2km from Troodos Square in the direction of Karvounas, and at a distance of 2.5km you will find the Armurolivado and Livadi tou Pasia picnic sites. The path is linear and the walker can be picked up by car at the point where the path intersects with the existing forest road or can return on foot by following the same path, or by following the Psilo Dentro (Tall Tree) – Pouziaris path, that intersects with the Persephone Path. The Environmental Information Centre for the Troodos National Forest Park can be found in Troodos Square.
Endemic plants: Golden oak (Quercus alnifolia), Cyprus Skullcap (Scutellaria cypria subsp. cypria), Troodos cat mint (Nepeta troodi), Cyprus germander (Teucrium cyprium), Manouthkia (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus), Troodos sage (Salvia willeana).
Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:
Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog
Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, Partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic)
Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus snake (endemic)

COORDINATES OF STARTING POINT 489149 / 3864227
COORDINATES OF ENDPOINT 491183 / 3862858
ALTITUDE OF STARTING POINT 1733m
ALTITUDE OF HIGHEST PEAK 1733m
ALTITUDE OF END PEAK 1654m
https://in-cyprus.com/persephone-linear/