Our day started similarly as yesterday with breakfast at 📍Cera. Other than me following Karine’s example and going for a pizza too, it was pretty much an encore representation of our previous breakfast.
We drove for one hour to the 📍Aphrodite and Adonis Trail Loop. Both trails are in the Akama National Park and are two of the most renowned hiking routes in Cyprus. They are known for their stunning coastal views, rich ecological diversity, and mythological significance. In fact, if you take the time to research the Akamas national park a little you would learn that it’s a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 600 plant species (many endemic to the area), 168 bird varieties, 20 different reptiles, 16 butterfly species, and 12 mammal species. Notable plant life includes rare Cyprus tulips (we didn’t see any), Akamas cedar, wild thyme, rockrose, and strawberry trees.
We’ve done a couple of hikes by now and we’ve seen a number of small signs explaining to the unaware hiker which plant they are looking at. The signs probably were installed a long while ago as some of them described plants that weren’t there or were identical to other prickly plants we’ve seen with wildly different names. I might be uncultured when it comes to the name of plants but I would think “prickly dog rose” and “wild thyme” don’t look identical. If they do, someone needs to have a word with the botanists.
The trail itself is beautiful and charming… from kilometer 3 to 5. The rest is pretty much a trail or a dirt road with limited sightlines. There is the occasional information panel next to a tree (more likely to be correct) or a prickly bush (most likely wrong). The summit and the way down along the cliff side is stunning however and made the rest worth it.
After our hike we came back to the Airbnb and enjoyed apero on its balcony. Dinner was at 📍Argo, the Nextdoor neighbour of yesterday’s sub par dinner. They did a much better job. It was simple but good. The only downside is the vegetables and fries are likely from a frozen bag. Everything else was well executed and good.
Tomorrow is our last full day before we start our return. The plan is to hike a gorge said to be the best hiking gorge of Cyprus. We’re looking forward to it.
Places
Cera Paphos · Paphos
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Aphrodite and Adonis Trail Loop, Paphos, Cyprus - 1,225 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
Aphrodite and Adonis Trail Loop (Μονοπάτια της Φύσης Αφροδίτη και Άδωνις κυκλική) One of the most important areas of interest on this trail is the Loutra tis Afroditis (Baths of Aphrodite), where legend has it that the Goddess of Love and Beauty used to take her baths. The ruins of Pyrgos tis Rigainas (Queen’s Tower), is believed to have been part of a Medieval monastery. A 500 year old oak tree stands near the ruins. There are two non-potable water fountains along the trail; one near the ruins of Pyrgos tis Rigainas, and another between the Baths of Aphrodite and Kakoskali. This trail gives excellent views of Cape Arnaoutis, Polis Chrysochous and Pafos Forest. The trail connects with the Adonis trail, and at its starting point there is the 'Akamas Botanical Garden'. There are several endemic plants such as the Cyprus Golden–Drop (Onosma fruticosa), Cyprus sage (Phlomis cypria var. occidentalis). There is also rich fauna with mammals (fox, hare, hedgehog), birds (wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic), reptiles (Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, black whip snake). The forest serves as a resting point for many migratory birds.
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Argo · Paphos
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