©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Troödos Mountains Includes ¨ Why Go? Troödos ........................ 82 Home to Mt Olympus (1952m), the island’s highest peak, Platres ..........................84 this stunning mountain range provides visitors with a for- Omodos & ested flip side to the coastal resorts and big-city clamour. the Krasohoria ............. 85 Overlooking the valleys of Lemesos (Limassol), Larnaka and Pedoulas ...................... 87 the greater Mesaoria plain, this region covers over 90 sq km and is a protected natural park which safeguards its wild- Kalopanayiotis .............88 life, ecology and geology. In winter, skiers and snowboarders Kykkos populate the ski resorts of the northern slopes, while at oth- Monastery & Around ...89 er times of the year the park is ideal for camping, picnicking, Treis Elies ..................... 91 hiking, cycling and birdwatching. Pitsylia ......................... 93 In addition to the natural beauty of the landscape, the Agros ............................94 Troödos Mountains are home to a variety of postcard-pretty villages with cobbled streets, terraced slopes and vernacular architecture. The region’s peaks and valleys also hide some of the island’s most important medieval frescoed churches, Best Places to along with unexpected monasteries, museums and some of Eat the Republic’s finest wineries. ¨ Mylos Restaurant (p93) ¨ Mimi’s Restaurant (p85) When to Go ¨ Elyssia (p88) ¨ From January to April, you can experience the wintery ¨ Stou Kir Yianni (p86) pleasures of skiing and snowboarding the slopes by day, and enjoying a hearty tavern meal by night. ¨ Loutraki (p89) ¨ April to September is ideal for wine tasting; explore some of the superb wineries hidden among the sprawling vineyards Best Churches & and steep, breezy valleys. Monasteries ¨ In early summer ramble over 65km of diverse nature and hiking trails across the region, ranging from simple strolls to ¨ Kykkos Monastery (p90) more arduous hikes. ¨ Panagia tou Moutoulla ¨ Beat the July and August heat by camping 1000m above (p89) sea level at verdant sites in the ranges. ¨ Panagia Forviotissa (p92) ¨ Archangelos Michail (p88) ¨ Agios Ioannis Lambadistis Monastery (p89) 666666 76 Troödos Mountains6 66666 Highlights 1 Panagia Forviotissa (p92) Wondering at this extraordinary Byzantine6 painted 666MAR6ATHASA 6 church in the Solea Valley. s s o o h L r a 2 Troödos i e tr m \# X e TROÖDOS MOUN MOUN n Kampos S i Botanical Gardens t i (p82) Exploring this s fragrant6 and beautiful6 6666 botanical garden. \# Tsakistra 3 Kykkos Monastery (p90) Marvelling at the R Mt Tripylos 4¼E908 T treasures of the (1362m) AINS AINS 4¼E912 island’s most opulent \# 66666Gerakies 6#\ Ikos and imposing Kykkos #\ M monastery. Cedar Monastery Kalopanayiotis Valley O Ü#3 Throni Hill # UN 4 Venus Rose 4¼E912 Moutoullas #\ (1318m) (p94) Shopping in R ta Agros for rose-related Tomb of Archbishop ä# INS HIG INS Makarios III 4¼F957 products6 and, if 66R 666 you’re there in May, Kykkos Hill Pedoulas##\6 experiencing the (1318m) \# Mylikouri H annual Rose Festival. P A F O S LIG 5 Treis Elies (p91) F O R E S T Prodromos #÷ #\ #\ ht Lemithou Enjoying peaceful 4¼F804 forest hikes over 4¼F810 S 666666 ancient bridges, far Trikoukkia #\ from the madding Paliomylos \# ù# Treis Elies ##\5 crowds. Kaminaria #\ \# 4¼E804 At 6 Archangelos s Agios al o an m Dimitrios te Michail (p88) Ogling a T t r o a the fabulous 15th- P il s 66o 6666 Ü# century frescos at r e this tiny church in X picturesque Pedoulas. 7 #\ Kyperounda Elies Foini Winery (p96) Kelefos Bridge Roudhias Sipping on award- s Bridge o 66Bridge 66z 66 i winning wines at this r #\ ia delightful winery D 4¼E802 4¼F616 in the heart of the Mandria #\ #\ Agios Troödos Mountains. Ioannis Agios 4¼F805 Nikolaos #\ 6666664¼F804 #\ Praitori #\ Omodos #\ #\ Salamiou Arsos Vasa #\ Pachna & Yiaskouris Winery (6km); Vouni 666666#\ Agios Amvrosis D (8km); #\ Malia Lemesos (36km).