Driving through the Troodos Mountains isn't just a journey; it's a return to my roots, where every curve of the road and each change in the weather resonates with stories of the past. Whether speeding along rain-soaked roads or navigating snow-covered paths, each trip is a thrilling dance with nature. Here, amid the silent, majestic peaks, I find not just adventure but a profound connection to the generations that have traveled these routes before me, each journey a thread woven into the fabric of my family's history.
My home, the island of Cyprus, is a remarkable place to live or visit and there are several unique areas and points of interest to explore. We have spectacular beaches with waters so magnificent that it challenges the imagination to try and list the thousands of shades which blend perfectly together to present them in their highest possible glory. For nearly three decades now I have ridden my horses across some of the most breathtaking meadows and filled my senses with piercing blue skies above nature’s most exquisite collection of plants, trees, and flowers decorating my native hillsides and pastures with original splendor. There is a generous offering of history rich ruins still echoing the countless centuries of humanity, and they remain as inspiring today as the moment they were built. One of my favorite adventures is to drive from my home in Nicosia is the Troodos mountains.
The Troodos mountains have stood silent and robust overlooking the land since time on the island began. They have witnessed the passing of civilizations from one to another and looked down upon each without judgment or favoritism. One of the reasons the Troodos Mountains are so dear to me is that the words and stories which have echoed through the centuries are very much a part of my ancestry. Along with all of the historically celebrated events, the familiar words of my parents and grandparents describing events from the mountains are alive in my memory forever. My earliest recollection of stories involving the mountain roads came from my dear mother who told of the time a thick fog fell suddenly about the mountain roads when she was a child. The fog was too dense to see, and there were not any rails to protect cars from falling from the roadside. As my grandfather drove the car, my grandmother and Uncle had to walk outside of the vehicle to help maneuver safely home.
The trip into the mountains is best experienced in a car which is capable of driving with the type of speed and agility required to achieve the ultimate experience. When I am alone in my car, I tend to push a little too fast, and my souvenirs from previous visits include a few speeding tickets. It is easy to get lost in the moment when all that surrounds you is nature’s magic, but that alibis will not work very well when you are stopped for exceeding the limits. When my dogs, Aimi and Bakudai are in the car I drive as if I were a parent taking their children to school. For those who are not pet-lovers comparing dogs to children might be a stretch but even if you do not like animals after meeting our lovely two, you would understand. For us, it is a family outing back in time through our present-day eyes with narrative words coming in the form of family stories from decades past – a sentimental masterpiece of life.
There are three different variations along my journey from my home in Nicosia that can take me into the Troodos Mountains to our family’s country home in Prodromos. The choices of which way to proceed are dependent on traffic flow, road and weather conditions and my mood. My favorite way is Evrychou, Galata, Kakopetria, Platania, outside of Kyperounta, Amiantos, Platia Troodos. Our family’s country home in Prodromos Village is only 10 to 15 minutes from there, and that is the source of many of the stories I have heard and precious memories that have been collected throughout the years. The road has a lot of curves and is more tedious to maneuver along for anyone who does not consider driving equal parts challenge and relaxation. When I have plenty of time, and especially if I am driving alone I will choose this venue. The road has so many turns, it is sometimes a challenge to find places to pass slower traffic, but the drive remains as pure pleasure. If there is rain involved it even makes the journey more spectacular as uncertainty shows its face in tiny glimpses along the way pulling out even higher doses of adrenaline as I smile behind the steering wheel. This is the ideal path that most fully rejuvenates me to a different level because it transforms into more of an event than a journey.
There is nothing that soothes the soul like the sound of the rain hitting the car as it gently sways from one tight curve into the next and explodes forward over short straight sections. The trees as they pass swiftly on either side of the road provide a feeling of comfort as I navigate beneath them. Wet pavement brings out the deep voice of the engine as the sounds of the moisture rebound with a full-throated roar against the roadway. The challenge of the rain adds to the equation as traction becomes more of a subjective word for unwinding with various degrees of slippage. When heavy snow comes, it requires a 4 X 4 or reaching the mountains may be impossible. My mother told me of a time when the roads were impassable for such a long time many years ago that they had to stop at the butcher and the bakery and eat soup and find food along the trip that took many hours. In uneventful circumstances, this one takes about an hour and 10 to 15 minutes. The snows may bring difficulty or even impossibility for driving, but they also carry with them a heavenly view of the mountains and trees.
After Koutrafas village and before Evrychou there is an alternative route I usually take when I find a lot of traffic. It proceeds as follows: Kalopanayiotis, Moutoulas, Pedoulas, Prodromos, Platia Troodos. This way loops around and comes into Prodromos before Platia Troodos, and the scenery is incredible, but it has an entirely different look and feels than my first choice. I like when I drive through Marathassa Valley and approach the mountain villages such as Moutoullas and Pedoulas, the decorative walls around the streets seem to add a sense of friendship and unity between the purity of nature and the artistic and refined thumbprint placed upon it by humankind.
The only drawback of this charting for my trip is that the roads are very narrow and it makes it difficult to pass traffic and people who are visiting tend to park along the roadside. One of the main reasons not to take this route is it becomes frustrating waiting to find an opportunity to safely pass which can detract from the overall sense of revitalization which is a significant benefit of the drive. I am not entirely sure but I feel that Aimi and Bakudai are big fans of this particular route because they seem to be more attentive to the walls and scenes of the people as we gently breeze our way toward our ultimate destination. Since they consider themselves as humans and I agree with them it would only make sense that they prefer the more human-influenced variation.
After watching a video of my driving on this route, a dear Friend of mine from the United States sent me an email inquiring into what size sweaters would best fit me, Aimi, and Bakudai. It seemed like an unusual question, so I asked him why he needed the size of a human and two dogs, (who typically prefer not to wear clothing). He explained that it was for matching sweaters that read “Please,” “Slow,” and “Down.” I have to presume that the narrow roads and traffic obstacles must have prompted that question.
Just after Kakopetria village taking the exit to Ayios Nikolaos is the only difference for Route “C.” It saves 20 minutes to Prodromos and advances in this order: Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Pedoulas, Prodromos. There is usually less traffic, and the sun hits the road which allows for the best melting of the snow, but it is exceptionally curvy – this may explain why it is the path less taken. When it snows, it tends to come down heavily there, and when there is a fog, it is of precisely as my mother described in the story of walking along beside the car.
Some rockfall occurs but it is best in the winter if your car is not a 4 X 4 or equipped with chains for the tires. The warming of the roadway combined with the shorter trip makes this one potentially the safest choice despite the extremely winding roads. I was caught in a snowstorm many years ago in the mountains and traveling uphill was impossible until I pulled off of the side and placed the chains on my tires. After freezing my hands and listening to all of the stories from the past I realize that the mountains must be given the respect they deserve when it comes to driving.
Regardless of what it takes to arrive in the Troodos Mountains, or the route chosen to get there during a Winter Snow it is well worth it. Our Troodos Mountains provide one of the best faces worn by Cyprus, my home that I love.
Snow evokes in us a sense of childlike wonder. It paints white over the scenery, using a thick brush and wide strokes. The snowy blanket snuggles everything and puts life itself to a cozy nap. That blanket is woven out of many snowflakes, each of which is unique, landing right where it did for a reason. We know the reason but can’t explain it except — it’s there to create a winter wonderland
The Troodos mountains are a sight to behold in the winter, when snow covers the peaks and valleys like a white sheet. The road winds through the hills, providing stunning views at every turn. If you’re looking for an escape to a winter wonderland, take a drive through the Troodos mountains!
Mighty trees proudly jut out from under their snowy makeover and nod their heads as we drive along. Their entourage of shrubs looks like silhouettes of a crowd, standing by with dignified grace. They cherish the snow too and invite you to come out of the car and join in on the fun.
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