Embark on a journey through the Troodos Mountains, where every path offers more than just a walk through nature—it presents a tapestry of connections, adventures, and unexpected treasures. From spontaneous encounters that turn into lifelong friendships to the simple joy of horseback riding through serene trails, this narrative explores how the Troodos Mountains are not just a destination, but a backdrop for creating memorable experiences and discovering the warmth of both new faces and old traditions. Whether you're navigating the rich history etched within the Venetian bridges, sharing a starlit night with loved ones, or finding solace on horseback, the Troodos Mountains promise a treasure trove of moments that resonate with the spirit of adventure and the comfort of heartfelt connections. Join us as we delve into a world where every moment is an opportunity for something wonderful and unexpected."
Along these trails we see so many treasures – not in the form of gems or stones but rather in the shape of people and new friends we make along the way and the memories which result in these encounters. Whether they are locals or tourists, the joy we share undertaking the most straightforward tasks is terrific. Picking mushrooms is a favorite hobby, and although I love mushrooms, I will be frank in the fact that I can never determine which ones are the edible ones. During late spring you can see many people stopped on the road to pick Kapari. There is a strong camaraderie that comes from hunting these mushrooms, and I have enjoyed plenty of conversations and met some fascinating people along the trails. I guess for me the sport of mushroom harvesting is far down on the list below one of many of, but I can appreciate those who relish it and am thankful for the times I have been there to welcome them as my newfound friends.
One of my passions is horse riding. It is never a good idea to try and ride horses on the rocky trails or anywhere near the edge of where it is unsafe, but there are plenty of excellent nature trails that work nicely for horse riding. I have been blessed to spend more hours than I could ever count on the back of some of my cherished friends as they transport me across the meadows and hills. Becoming one with a creature so agile and intelligent that communication needs not be measured or even limited by the spoken word is a gift that never stops giving. To breathe in the field and flower-scented air as the wind rushes into your lungs during a fast sun-filled gallop or to slowly drink in the evening coolness as the shade begins to build after a glorious encounter of riding – that is a significant part of who I am. The view of our world is entirely different from the back of a horse; some say it brings us back to a more primitive time, but I believe it tends to awake an altogether unique collection of enlightened senses. Hiking or skiing may feel “hand-in-hand” with mother earth as mentioned above but when a horse stands on the grand between us and lifts us up, I feel as if we become one inseparable being. If you do not believe that what I am saying is possible – try it – you can always go back to walking if you don’t like the horse-top view.
In my opinion, it is best to mount up and start riding – each new spot becomes an adventure shared by your horse, yourself and all of those who happen to pass your way. The real treasure of these mountains is the people – locals are so very friendly, and tourists are often under a deep spell enchanted by the new surroundings thus love, and goodwill is literally all around the island almost everywhere you go. Horses tend to draw in the curiosity of passers-by more than the dogs, and those who understand how the horses feel concerning automobiles and other distractions are a plus in an ocean of many minutes when it comes to horse-friendliness. I find a great sense of accomplishment in walking with my dogs and riding my horses, but there is a distinctive element of helping educate those who ask questions about horseback riding. Riding is an art and science and the more people I can positively influence into giving it a try the better I feel about the obstacles along the journeys. As time passes it seems that fewer young people are able to participate in quality time with horses. Horses sense things about us that even other humans fail to recognize and it is astonishing to see how they react to children with special needs or both adults and humans who are encountering extreme pain or depression. If it were feasible maybe some people would have therapy horses and others would choose therapy dogs. For me every single second I am able to spend aboard my horses is some of the best possible therapy known to humankind.
Some people may want nothing to do with hiking or horseback riding, and I agree with individuality, personal preference and of course, expression of opinion. Gazing upwards at the stars with someone you love and sharing a beverage or even cooking something on an open fire are activities that are not only timeless but they poetically as intimate and romantic as it gets. Nothing says old soul better than opening up a bottle of wine and sipping it with friends and family. Combined with a bit of guitar playing or singing or choosing to retell a story told by the passing generations – I see these as magnificent examples of romanticism. There is no shortage of poets and painters and composers who completely agree with me on the glory of nighttime under a jeweled sky. Throughout history, great paintings and songs have commemorated time spent under the warm blanket of darkness adorned with lights sent straight from Heaven.
As we have mentioned previously a significant part of our Island of Cyprus Project involves honesty and I am not going to claim any level of expertise for camping, however, the Troodos Mountains are a perfect match for those who enjoy it, and numerous places are ranging from multiple levels of accommodations. Whether it is more back-to-nature campsites with tents and minimal facilities to pre-established sites with what is advertised as comfortable beds and showers those who love to camp can absolutely find the best-of type of adventure at locations from near the base of the sleeping giants all the way up to the top elevation near Prodromos. If you think about it we all come from a lineage of extraordinary campers – if our ancestors were not able to brave the elements, then none of us would be here to either endorse or loosely embrace the hobby. I may be one of those circumstances where a gift has “skipped a generation” when it comes to the art of camping.
I do not want to rain on any parade because I can see the point of camping and fully understand how it might bring some people closer to nature. Personally, I do not mind getting dirty and sweating a bit after a vigorous walk with my dogs or a ride on my horse, but I have never been one to enjoy camping if it involves sleeping overnight. From what I have read and been told camping is primarily defined precisely as spending days and nights in less than pristine environments. In my opinion, those who choose to “rough it” and spend time camping out under the stars or even somewhere in between at a semi-rough facility may be some of the bravest souls of them all. It seems I have little fear when it comes to revving the engine and roaring around turns at speeds that we will not mention, or participating in sports where danger is plentiful but camping – that’s where my white flag of surrender comes flying out at sunset.
In full disclosure, I had only tried it once when I was a teenager, and I lasted only two days at a facility which is considered to be luxurious on the overall “toughness in camping” scale. Enjoying the open night sky under the stars is nothing short of miraculous but crawling into a tent, for me, well that is where the miracles end and the longing for the comfort of my bed begins and it is a battle which only seems to last for a few minutes before I am on my way to my familiar pillow. I appreciate things I can count on, and that is best served away from everything optional that nature has to offer after the sun leaves the sky. Even the moon decides whether to make an appearance based on cloud cover, and I agree with the planet and its choice to not camp out all the time.
It is not so much that I fear anything that goes bump in the night – I am terrified of being uncomfortable and feeling dirty when trying to sleep. I’m not saying that if my friends suddenly wanted to go camping, and Bakudai and Aimi chimed in with their opinions, that I might not be swayed into an adventure of that type. I’m sure I would go and for the record, spending quality time with my loved ones would make it worth the inconveniences of a night or two without convenience, but it is a mission I will not be volunteering for in this lifetime. One of these days, hopefully in several years, my children may approach me and ask to try camping. I will keep praying that the time never comes but if it does, I’m sure I will agree to give it a try, and as time has everything to do with change maybe it will be something that we will relish for years to come. Seriously, for those who love it – there is no better place to camp out than in the Troodos Mountains.
In addition to all of the places which we have mentioned and things to do and see, there are a number of ‘spur-of-the-moment’ adventures which happen to present themselves in the course of ordinary events. With great restaurants and exciting shops, travels into the mountains can never be empty. It was Easter Tuesday and a holiday, and I decided to set out on a treasure hunt. It may have been picking up on those whispers from far above, or it could have been a generic dose of curiosity, but either way the calling was audible and persistent.
My mission was to find the Kalopanagiotis Venetian Bridge. Well, technically that was not my first mission because I planned on taking Aimi and Bakudai on an outing with me, but heavy rains prevented that first set of plans from unfolding. Fortunately, I had not mentioned the top choice to the dogs, and they were not as disappointed as they would have been. If they would have picked up on the mountain’s message, I’m confident that their feelings would have been hurt since I did not invite them to go along, but fortunately the ‘bridge thing’ must have been broadcast within a decimal range unfamiliar to Akita’s ears.
I had never been to Kalopanagiotis except to blaze by there at a speed which probably should have been rewarded with a citation but today we were going to make the trip at a leisurely pace and savor the quality time together. There are plenty of Venetian bridges – Tzelefos Bridge, Elia Venetian Bridge, Orkontas Venetian Bridge to name a few. On my way, close to Kalopanagiotis I noticed a street label pointing to Orkontas Venetian bridge. I stopped the car, and I pondered whether to stop at Orkotntas Venetian bridge too, but I decided to move on to Kalopanagiotis Venetian bridge which was the initial plan. I left Orkontas bridge for another day. Eventually, I reached kalopanagiotis, parked the car and went down to the village to find the bridge!
I was lucky because Easter’s heavy rain made the river swell more than usual. I spent some time there, watching the bridge and taking some photos and videos for the island of Cyprus. On the way off, I stopped at Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Church – I ended in a nice restaurant in Kalopanagiotis village with a beautiful view of the mountain and Agios Ioannis Lampadistis church. I realized that with the Troodos Mountains nearby even the most loosely scheduled last minute adventure could be equally rewarding as yet the most precisely planned and regimented endeavor.
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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