If you love to travel and you want to try a hiking adventure, the Artemis Trail in Cyprus is a great way to start your romantic relationship with hiking.
If the name of the route sounds familiar, it is because it is named after the Greek goddess Artemis, the daughter of Zeus and Leto. What makes the route even more exciting and fascinating is that it takes you to the top of Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek mythological gods, and the place called Chionistra. Reaching the summit will take you just over 1800 meters above sea level. This means you will be in a great spot for scenic scenery, which includes landscapes of iconic villages like Paphos and Limassol.
The Artemis route, joining the Atalanta route, is actually a rough circular ring covering 7 km. It starts and ends in a small parking lot near the summit of Mount Olympus. The trail leads to shady areas, but offers open areas and stunning mountain views. Although Artemis takes about three hours, the trail is relatively flat and therefore suitable for new climbers with varying levels of fitness.
Mount Olympus is not the only highlight of the route, Artemis also leads to the “Walls of the Old Town” (Teisia tis Palias Choras), which is actually the ruins of a temporary old Venetian castle, thought to have been built late. In the 16th century, these fortifications were built as the main defense against the invading Ottomans. The route also has native plants, geological structures and black pine forests. Another attraction of this route is the old black pines that are about 500 years old.
The Artemis Trail is located in the Troodos National Forest Park, part of the NATURA 2000 Protected Area. This route is well defined and even has enough information signs that give you more information and insights about the forest and travel. The best time to walk on this magnificent route is from March to November. And although Artemis has a lot to offer in the summer, come in in the winter for serious skiing fun, as the route is close to the cable car and the club.
Don’t forget to bring your own water, hat and sunscreen before heading to the Artemis route. Smoking, eating and making a lot of noise are not recommended when walking on this nature trail. You can also walk as much as you want without worrying about an accident with each other because bicycles and motorcycles are forbidden.
If you want to stay overnight in the area, you always have the option to stay in one of the camping areas with facilities. You will also find some hotels and other accommodation in the villages of Troodos. The villages have small local restaurants or pubs where you can enjoy traditional Cypriot cuisine. If you go to Torodos Square, there is a selection of restaurants, shops and hotels to choose from. There is an environmental information center near the square.