Artemis Trail

The Artemis Trail is a circular forest route around Mount Olympus, the highest peak of the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus, at about 1,900 m. The trail starts near Troodos Square, where a car park serves the trailhead, and the square can be reached by road from Paphos, Limassol, and Nicosia; visitors generally travel by rental car because public transport to the square is limited. No permit is known to be required. The loop is about 7 km (a reported figure) and normally takes 2.5 to 3 hours. The distance falls in the moderate range, and although the climbs are modest, the altitude makes the effort feel greater than the numbers suggest. The path runs mostly on forest tracks and dirt paths through black pine and juniper, with some rocky sections, and shade is plentiful for much of the route. The trail circles the summit area, which is occupied by a military installation and cannot be entered, so walkers follow the marked circuit around its perimeter. Along the way there are views across the Troodos range and, on clear days, down toward the coast. Wildflowers and the endemic flora of the Troodos appear in spring and early summer. The loop can be shortened by returning along the road in places, which gives some bail-out options near Troodos Square. Drinking water is not available on the trail, and there are no refuge huts, so visitors bring their own supplies. Weather changes quickly at altitude: mornings can be cool, afternoon storms are possible in summer, and snow can close the area in winter, when the nearby ski slopes operate instead. Layers, hiking shoes, and water are the basic equipment. The trail is a popular alternative to coastal walking for visitors based in Paphos who want cooler air and forest scenery.