For the interested hiker, there are nearly 50 paths of trails available, which cover a total distance of more than 200 km in various parts of the island available. Many of these trails have been networked and grouped in 8 major areas from Kavo Gkreko at the southeastern end to Akamas peninsula in the west.

Wherever you start your holiday you will have one of the following areas in the near;

The latter is the nearest area to the little town of Polis that can function as a starting point for hiking in the Akamas. The easternmost part of the island is said to be the place where Aphrodite emerged from the soft and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Having reached the top of Akamas mountains you will understand why "the breath of Zephyr on the white foam amidst the sounding sea" onto this island carried the goddess of beauty and love.

In the Akamas was the place where it is said Aphrodite felt a tender passion for a young man named Adonis. He was a bold young hunter, whose rash pursuit of dangerous game caused Aphrodite many anxious moments. In vain she besought him to forego the pleasures of the chase and remain with her. One day, after an exciting pursuit, he boldly attacked a wild boar, which, goaded to madness, turned upon him, buried his strong tusk in the youth’s unprotected side, and trampled him to death.

Aphrodite ran straight to the scene of this tragic death, rushing through underbrush and briars, tearing her delicate skin, and her blood tinged all the white roses along her way with a faint pink. When she arrived, she found her beloved Adonis cold in death and her passionate caresses met with no response. Then she burst into such passionate tears that the wood and water nymphs, the gods, men, and all nature in fact, joined with her to mourn the beloved youth. Aphrodite shed countless tears, which as they dropped upon the ground were changed to anemones, while the red drops that had fallen from Adonis’ side were transformed into red roses.

  The Akamas is an area of incomparable beauty, perhaps due to Aphrodite and Adonis, since from the moment the golden-haired girl set foot on land, beautiful flowers sprang up. Anemones and capers still grow amongst the rocks.

Several circular trails have been laid out, two of which are named after the goddess of love and her beloved young hunter. They are 7.5 km long respectively. Surely, you may spend a full day walking, watching and enjoying the variety of flora and fauna, which are also impressive: the number of plant species runs up to 600, of which 35 are only found in Cyprus; 168 bird species, 12 mammals, 20 reptiles, and butterfly species of which the endemic Glaucopsyche pafos butterfly is said to be the symbol of the area.

No wonder that in May every town celebrates its own flower festival with parades and competitions for the best flower compositions.

The uninhabited Akamas, which still today offers a virgin landscape with a lot of pleasant surprises to those who are prepared to explore the area on foot. So take your trekking boots, more experienced or less, and you will find your way as we did."

Silvia and Wilfried Koch