Embark on a journey that goes beyond the beaten path in the Troodos Mountains, where each step tells a story woven into the rich tapestry of Cyprus. “Echoes of the Mountains” is not just an exploration of stunning landscapes, but a deep dive into personal memories and the profound connections that bind us to this majestic land. From the thrill of discovery on ancient trails to the serene moments under the stars with loved ones, this article invites you to imagine your own adventures in these storied mountains, blending vivid narratives with heartfelt experiences.
In addition to an abundance of sites which standout as historical and cultural jewels the Troodos Mountains are enriched with outdoor activities to help enhance the bond between humans and nature. Some of my earliest memories are sights and sounds of these very places that decades later I still feel privileged to frequent. Having been blessed with our family summer home near Prodromos, the numerable glimpses from my paradise past are now lovingly carried into the future by way of pictures, videos, and written words to create a phenomenon that brings me back to the exuberance of my youth. I feel as though time stands still here and I have never aged. I am not ashamed to admit that even though I have been to most of these places many times I always look upon them with the same wide-eyed wonderment of my youth and they burn as brightly in my soul as if they were a freshly-passed secret burning inside me that must be shared.
From skiing to fishing the slopes and streams are thick with outdoor adventures that cover practically any skill level. Whether it is Hiking and riding or shopping and dining or more simple ventures like discovering flowers, picking mushrooms or looking for a wide range of plant and animal life, there are too many options to imagine, and customized agendas are always welcome. Photographing or painting stills of some of the beautiful scenes rivaling those offered anywhere in the world is a shared mission for both locals and tourists. Although video and digital dominate as the methods for capturing the glory some of the most elegant and sentimental portraits I have witnessed were hand painted. Some of these are very dear to my heart like these works of my mother. Her stories from youth in these mountains are something I wish I could share with everyone.
If you have never experienced a picnic under the bluest sky imaginable in your private front-row seat overlooking the textbook definition of breathtaking – these wise, old, climbs are eager to meet you. Camping brings back the raw passion of the centuries past while shooting video with state of the art drones captures the majesty with equal parts technical grace and old-world sentiments. There is no way to go wrong when it comes to adventures here – there is no multiple choice of things to do – it is more of an essay on how each soul chooses to embrace perfection. All individual missions are graded with the same stamped approval of excellence, and the sounds that seem to have continually echoed throughout the realm of these old stone-spectators to humankind is happiness.
While I was studying abroad in Stockholm, I learned how the Swedish people like to roll. Skiing became something I enjoyed doing, and I realized getting downhill was a nice bit of an adrenaline rush. Maybe not as much as driving expeditiously along these mountainous winds in a high-performance car, which is another splendid way to celebrate the region but something I will not officially endorse for others because both Bakudai and Aimi, my Akitas, would undoubtedly protest as much as they do when they are riding with me – but that’s another story. There is also cross-country skiing, which is more of a workout and less of a thrill, for me. It might be more well-suited to my taste if I could reach speeds like a cheetah but unfortunately, “cat-like” reflexes are something missing from my DNA. In Cyprus, the window for cold weather and snow is not nearly as broad as that in Sweden, and most of us love our island for that particular trait. I know after being there if people in Sweden were dealt our hand for sunshine versus cold weather, they would entirely fold theirs in an instant. We have some super weather to enjoy during most of the year, but when it snows the right amount, the slopes are rumbling with thrill-seekers who are making the most of the icy descent while it is available. On the weekends, it seems like everyone rushes out to collectively partake in the luxury provided by a few inches of the white powder.
Those who like to avoid the crowds may realize very early in the morning is the best time to hit the slopes. Like most things in life those willing to get there first tend to enjoy the premium amount of benefits and fewer bodies on the hills are going to give those early birds maximum ski time. On our friendly island, I think socializing is equally as much of a part of skiing as actually putting on skis and taking those downhill runs. It seems many of the times I have been skiing my friends, and people that we know spend more time visiting than slipping down the slopes, but maybe that is more a benefit and added charm of the sport than anyone wants to admit. I think the best part is every individual can decide what pace they prefer and it is not a one-size-fits-all format that tugs or pulls at them to bend but rather an engineer-to-order getaway that clings as snugly and comfortably as a favorite t-shirt.
Aside from the increased heartbeat of rolling downhill at a nice pace, there is the feeling of well-being that can only come from the external elements adding that hand-in-hand intimacy with the icy palms of mother nature. The wind and the snow and every subtle nuance they bring to the occasion are what make every skiing outing unique. There are so many differences that can be felt with just a slight variance in the outdoor temperature and mix of the density in the snow that it amazes me. Turning to the slopes to find a bit of extra balance in life it only makes sense to allow any troubles you may have to slide right off of your shoulders with each run. In addition to losing the weight of those troubles, it is a nice extra to keep up with friends at the same time.
I have probably roamed hundreds of miles walking the high paths of the Troodos Mountains over the last three decades. I like going there with Aimi, and Bakudai, my Akitas who are equal parts dogs and children. Each of the different trails has their distinctive personality, and all of them provide the perfect locations to think and clear the mind of the hustle and bustle of our modern lives. As Aimi and Bakudai enjoy the walking and excitement I can drink in the fresh air and allow that mountain magic to take me away to a simple time and place before all of our technology. A time when we stood on the ground in awe of the surroundings and in harmony with the environment.
The three of us savor our time together, but there is never a journey that does not remind me of my beautiful girl, Elie, the Siberian Husky who passed away going on 2016. She lived to play in the snow, and I am convinced she was able to forecast the weather better than any of the professionals. She would give me a look during the week when she knew we would be exploring those snow-covered trails over the weekend and it was impossible to say no to that most adoring lifetime friend. Elie is with us in spirit on all of her favorite trails, and we will carry the joy of her precious memory with us forever. Some of my favorite portraits painted by my mother are those of us together. It seems like people would recognize us wherever we went and it was almost like she was as much human as anyone I have ever known. In fact, she was better than any of us – she carried with her all of the very best qualities recognized in humanity but managed to do so with her unconditional love and non-judgemental personality. To this very day I am convinced that if we had signed her up for one of those DNA genealogy profiles that are so popular right now, the results would have come back twenty percent Siberian Husky, twenty percent Human and sixty percent Angel – that is my beautiful girl.
There is a multitude of options to choose from when it comes to nature trails in the Troodos Mountains – circular trails of Atalanti, Artemis and the linear routes of Fragma (Dam) Prodromou – Stavroulia, Kalidonia, Kannoures – Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Loumata ton Aeton to name some, and many others. These paths are like friends and relatives – we love them all but even though nobody wants to admit it – we always have one that is our favorite. My favorite one is the Atalanti, and it was accidentally discovered the first time I started taking Elie with me for our unforgettable adventures.
Troodos square was crowded, and Elie and I decided to wander into the forest where it was more quiet so I could enjoy a peaceful walk. There it was – the perfect trail! That was more than a decade ago, and since then, Atalanti has become my most special of them all. I make it a point to visit the place a few times every year, mainly when snow covers it. I always take my best friends Aimi and Bakudai for a walk, and they seem to sense that even though Elie has passed away, this is her most special place and she will forever be walking by our side. There is a breathtaking view at one particular spot, and I enjoy going there. Sometimes I go there by myself and allow everything to unwind and calm my soul. As you can see in the video Bakudai likes to relax and absorb the sights and sounds.
Looking down from above this location is even more amazing, and this aerial video shot by my drone provides a larger screen to more fully capture the moment. Notice how clean and crisp all of the trees appear as they are nestled together with the brilliant white snow at their bases – this could be the view of this mountain ten centuries earlier or hopefully the same thousand years forward in time, unchanged by humankind standing proudly with purpose and poise beyond reproach. This spot marked by its commitment never to waver and boldly standing high in the clouds with the freedom only mountains possess – durability of immense proportion. Sometimes minutes can turn into hours as the grandeur of how great nature can overwhelm me – Bakudai tends to agree most of the time.
At this same place, I had a dinner picnic with some friends few summers ago. August, in Cyprus during the Perseid Meteor Shower, and there is no better place to enjoy it from than our beloved Troodos mountains! We walked to our sentimental location, opened some bottles of red wine with some delis and thoroughly cherished the moment. The trail at Atalanti is 14KM long, and I must admit that to this day I have never completed it. I always venture back to the starting point after losing time along the way. I guess I must finish it one day and concentrate on spending a little more time on some of the others. The Atalanti and Artemis trails are both circular, and there is one point where they nearly overlap each other. It seems the dogs prefer these two trails the most and video footage of them is shot from these two locations. The Artemis is a bit shorter in distance than the Atalanti, but both are suited for a superior experience at one with nature.
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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