CY: Stavrovouni and Agia Varvara-Stavrovouni Nature Trails (Anglisides)

This trail is a combination of the two - circular “Stavrovouni” and linear “Agia Varvara - Stavrovouni”, each of them can be walked separately.
Linear trail can be started on the way to the monastery (or from the monastery), you will pass by its start (you can see its photo in my trail).
Circular trail is better to start from my starting point, there is a good parking place and fantastic view point.
Both trails have breathtaking views over Larnaca.
If you decide to take one of these trails (or both), please bring some dry or wet food for monastery cats, who are always hungry. Two of them were so sweet as to follow me for almost a kilometer from the monastery.

TERRAIN: Linear trail has two different routes: one is original more straight forward but more steep and severely eroded by streams, partially overgrown by bushes, I used it for descent on half a way, another is somewhat new, curvy, less steep, less eroded, it crosses the original route every time and then or coincides with it. Each route is a narrow forest path, the original one is more rocky and slippery due to erosion. Constant ascent to the top (monastery) then descent, or vice versa.
Circular trail is more diverse - the steep ascent on a narrow rocky path, rather short though, a bit of asphalt, then descent on a narrow rocky path with a lot of rolling stones (especially mid part), then just ordinary narrow path, after is a mild ascent along gravel dirt car road and a final bit is a steep ascent by narrow forest path.
For the both trails I would recommend to have hiking boots and poles, especially for the circular one, as descent is potentially traumatic.
Linear trail is definitely of moderate category, circular is moderate to difficult.

SEASON: both trails are mostly exposed to the sun, in the 2nd half of the day there is a chance to catch about 30-50% of shade. Trails are definitely for cool season. Be careful after the rains as the trails get eroded by water, become partially muddy and slippery.

SIGNS: Linear trail is marked with E4 signs, no resting places.
Circular trail has both direction and plant species signs, as well as a few benches.

KIDS: both trails are Ok for kids. Linear is safe for all ages (except for a couple of parts where adult supervision is necessary), circular requires more hiking skills thus I would recommend 7-8 yo minimum, as descent is very tricky (I saw kids (around 5 and 7) hiking the route the other way around thus they were ascending where I descended and it's definitely easier but the ascent itself is much longer as from the the other side, so you may choose which way you prefer).