Troodos Off The Beaten Path Tips by greekcypriot Top 5 Page for this destination

Kaledonia Falls in Platres

It is a very interesting walk towards the fall but depending on the season you should be fitted with the appropriate clothes and shoes.

At Psilo Dendro take the concrete path to the left of the restaurant and walk for about 100 or 150 metres to the start of the trail. Don’t turn left like I did....!

At the wooden marker board, continue up the forest track towards the famous waterfall. The track is straightforward to follow but of course there will be times when you will have to cross the Kyros river before you hear the waterfall sound.
Be careful not to slip in the water. If it is summer you won’t mind stepping in the water, but if it is winter then it will be a problem to wet your feet.

When you reach the waterfall there are some benches where you can sit and rest and admire nature, and be sure to have your camera along.
The distance is not more than 2 kms and it is really worth walking out there.

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis - Kakopetria

About 5 klms from the village of Kakopetria. Visit this very ancient church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis which is of great archaeological importance.

An 11th century church, and UNESCO has included the church of "St Nicholas of the Roof" in the list of Worldwide Cultural heritage, because of its special value.

Phone: +357 229 22 999

Website: http://www.kakopetria.org.cy/english/churches_agiosnikolaosstegis.shtm

Palaichori, a picturesque historic village

Palaichori is a very beautiful and picturesque village in the Troodos range at a hight of 900 metres above sea lever.
The village has many beautiful churches and a couple of museums, but the most important of all is to see the hideout of Grigoris Afxentiou.

This great hero was a true patriot, giving his life for the liberation of Cyprus from British colonial rule.

I have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Andrea and Maritsa Karaoli, the people who offered refuge to Afxentiou. They have given their house to the Council of Historic Memory of the Struggle 1955-59 (EOKA).

I have a thread below with the history and all details about this great hero who was a true patriot, giving his life for the liberation of Cyprus from British colonial rule.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigoris_Afxentiou

The Visitor Centre in Troodos

I am up the Troodos square, and I am urge to visit this centre which I had no idea that existed.
When I come here however I find it closed because during April and May on Saturdays it remains closed.

This centre is situated approximately 200 m west of the Troodos Square. I followed the paved trail .

It has a exhibition gallery and in a way it informs the visitor about the importance and character of the Park. A visitor can also find here a collection of butterflies, wood samples, fossils, and much more.

Other Contact: e mail: troodos@fd.moa.gov.cy

Phone: 00357 25420144

Website: http://www.moa.gov.cy/forest

Kalopanayiotis village for its SPA Springs!

THE VILLAGE OF KALOPANAGIOTIS
The picturesque village of Kalopanagiotis is known for its healthy sulphur springs and for its church of Agios loannis Lambadistis.

The Church of Agios Ioannis Lambadistis and Byzantine Museum

Originally a monastery, today’s church of Agios Ioannis Lambadistis is a complex of three churches: Agios Irakleidios, Agios Ioannis Lambadistis and a Latin chapel – all under a single pitched roof. The church is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The church of Agios Irakleidios was built in the 11th century while its frescoes date to the 13th and 16th century. The iconostasis is particularly interesting, covered with gargoyles, including a heraldic Lusignan lion and Byzantine eagle.
The church of Agios Ioannis Lambadistis was built in 1731. The saint’s tomb, which dates to the 12th century, can be found under the narrow north-eastern arch and the saint’s skull lies in a niche. The icon of Lambadistis dates to 1543. The Latin Chapel contains the most complete series of Italo-Byzantine paintings in Cyprus.

Website: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.gr/2009/10/blog-post_15.html