Hiking the Prastio Nature Trails

Cyprus is a healing island and has its unique share of nature. This is best discovered on the islands trails and hiking tours. Away from the growing cityscapes of Paphos, Larnaca, Nicosia and into the hills above the large but increasingly popular and impressive sprawl of Limassol.

There is a surprising amount of diversity and a richness in fauna and flora as well as a resurgence of animal life. The re-connection with nature through its hiking tours is a wonderful excursion to participate in. That sense of togetherness on a Limassol group hike is a joyful thing to behold given todays highly wired yet arguably growingly disconnected society.

Currently there are increasing attempts focused on up-leveling and improving the natural world exemplified in parts of the Troodos region. With healing, protection and diversity in mind, the Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds and nature in the north (KUSKOR) brought back into the wild a wounded eagle. It took some time for the eagle to heal and fly again but it now joins a large number of Bonelli’s eagles on the island.

There are estimated to be over 31 pairs of these large birds which are dispersed evenly across its hilly and open areas. Having personally spotted three of these eagles one afternoon on a trek in the Kyparissia trail in Lemesos district; I was extremely impressed. Other types of bird more commonly spotted on a tour or hike in this area are the Cyprus Warbler, the Crested Lark; the Woodpigeon , the Barn Swallow and the Bluerock Thrush and the Blackbird. Treks are usually graded 1-3 in terms of difficulty. The Kyparissia trail is stated as a 1. This Trek takes you from Prastio through to either Parekllisia or the valley holding Finikaria.

The hiking route is well marked and signed yet protected with bench spots for a rest along its route. The trail is marked for bikes and motorcross yet is wide and safe enough for all participants use. The inclines are gentle and the going is even and steady. A wonderful thing about Cyprus unlike my native United Kingdom is the openness of the sky and the chance to really be captivated by the clearness of vision. You are very unlikely to see heavy clouds or fog obscuring the view from the trails edge.

The distance from Prastio village to Finikaria village works out at around 15Km. The distance from Prastio to the peak is around 3km. The views from the top have been described as ‘awesome.’ I would certainly agree. Even better Prastio has a fabulous village tavern to host the weary trek participant on his or her excursions return.

Article by
Daniel Sieff
Team member at Rejuvenation Hiking, Limassol Cyprus.