Kalopanayiotis - The River Trail

If you are looking for an easy and family-friendly hiking trail to explore, Kalopanayiotis has the perfect one for you. The circular trail is just 4km long, and smaller sections of 1.6km or 2.7km can be walked independently. The trail is easy to follow and takes you through the beautiful natural surroundings of the area. Let's take a closer look at what you can expect on this delightful hike. To begin your adventure, start by following the main cobblestone road to the south. Along the way, you will pass the new bridge to your left and climb the asphalt road for 400m until you reach a hair-pin bend in the road. Here you will see a sign marking the beginning of the trail. From there, follow the path next to the old irrigation trench among old orchards until you reach the old, abandoned Kykkos Watermill. Take some time to explore the mill before crossing the bridge to the other side of the river Setrachos and walking along the narrow trail in the shade of the forest. Just before you reach St John Lampadistis monastery, take a small detour to the left towards the river to visit the Venetian bridge and the natural sulphur springs. Then, visit the Byzantine St John Lampadistis Monastery, a UNESCO heritage site, with its stunning frescoes. If you would like to finish your hike at this point, cross the new bridge over the river Setrachos and return to Kalopanayiotis. To continue your journey, follow the dirt road north from the parking lot of the monastery. Along the way, you will pass the café on your right-hand side and head down towards the river. Cross to the other side of the river bank (west) and follow the beautiful path until you reach the old Hajihambou watermill and the Faranga bridge. At this point, you have the option to return to the village by following the path that ascends to the left of the bridge towards the Faranga spring. From there, follow the road south to return to the centre of the village. However, if you choose to continue, cross the Faranga bridge to the east bank of the Setrachos and follow the path that runs parallel to the stream, among old orchards. You will come to a signed crossroads on your left, and 100m further on, the path leads to the river, where there is a small waterfall. Follow the signs and ascend to the village of Oikos. From there, you will descend once again to the river and cross to the opposite bank over the Venetian bridge, passing the water-filling station. Finally, continue up the trail, past the old Savva watermill and neglected orchards, and ascend to the houses of the northern neighbourhood of Kalopanayiotis. From there, following the lower road, you can return to the centre of the village. As you can see, the hiking trail of Kalopanayiotis is a delightful experience that takes you through beautiful natural surroundings, old mills and orchards, and stunning historic sites. Whether you are with your family or hiking alone, you will love the tranquillity of the trail and the beauty of the scenery. So pack your hiking shoes and explore this hidden gem in Cyprus.