The Salonica View team organizes a unique two-day camping trip in Troodos and hiking on the Artemis and Caledonia nature trails.
Day 1 - Saturday
Our route will start from Nicosia (Cypriot Handicrafts Center). We will head to the campsite in Troodos. Upon arrival, we will arrange our tents and store our personal belongings in the space. There will be free time to get to know each other through team-building games and trust games and then there will be rest. Around 3-4, we will get ready for our hike on the Artemis trail. From the camping area to the starting point of the path, we will go on our bus. After the end of the hike we will return to the camping area. In the evening we will begin our dinner process where we will cook, bake and have fun together as a group.
Day 2 - Sunday
The next day, we will get up early in the morning, as we need to get the necessary energy for our hike. After getting ready for our hike, we will pack our tents and personal items, transfer them to our bus and then depart for Platres. There, our bus will drop us off to start our hike on the Caledonia Nature Trail. After we finish our hike there will be food in the area. Full of appetite, energy, new experiences, and friends we will depart in the afternoon to return back to Nicosia.
INFORMATION ON HIKING:
Artemis Trail Hiking Features:
Starting point: 300m from the junction of the road to Chionistra with the Troodos - Prodromou road.
Length: 7km (circular route)
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Degree of difficulty: 1
Points of interest (Artemis Trail):
the black pine forest, rare species of flora, and rocks of the area. We will have the opportunity to access the two-centuries-old black pine trees (Pinus nigra subsp. Pallasiana) which are about 500 years old.
We will also observe the rich and rare flora (with species such as nepeta, teucrium, alyson, hachomelia, and invisible) and the rocks of the area (such as dunite, harzburgite, pyroxenite).
We will enjoy the very beautiful view of the areas and villages of the provinces of Limassol, Paphos, and Nicosia.
The entire route is located within the Troodos National Forest Park which is a NATURA 2000 area.
Of historical interest are "The Tisias of the Old City", which are ruins of rough fortifications built during the last year of the Venetian occupation of Cyprus (1571AD) by a group of Venetian generals who decided to defend themselves there against the Turks.
Caledonia Hiking Features:
Starting point:
(a) Point 350m from the main road of Troodos Square - Platron, at a distance of 3km from the Square. Access to this starting point is also through the section of the old Troodos - Platron road, after the summer Presidential residence.
(b) Psilo Dendro location above Pano Platres.
Length: 3km (a linear route)
Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty level: 2-3
Points of interest: (Caledonia nature trail)
Starting from the side of Troodos Square, the path passes through a dense forest and follows a course along the Kryos Potamos which has permanently running water. It passes by the Caledonia waterfall and ends at Psilos Dentro in Pano Platres.
Flora: Chamomile (Salvia willeana), Tears of the Virgin Mary (Arabis purpurea), Genista fasselata subsp. crudelis, Mentha longifolia subsp. cypria, Euphorbia veneris, Quercus alnifolia.
Fauna:
MAMMALS: Fox, Hare, Hedgehog
BIRDS: Spizaetos, Magpie, Fassa, Partridge, Triporassiis (Endemic), Scalifurta (Endemic)
REPTILES: Fina, Cyprus Snake (Endemic)
Participation fee: 50 euros/person
The price includes:
- All bus travel
- Activities (2 hikes)
- Evening meal - grilling (Skewers)
- Accompaniment and organization by a trainer specializing in outdoor activities
- First aid box
You must have with you:
- Tent
- Sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag
- Long-sleeved and short-sleeved clothes
- Personal items
- Everything you need for your meal/breakfast
For the hike you will need:
1. Second shirt, socks, a small towel (change), good sports shoes
2. Snack
3. Water
4. Backpack
5. Raincoat (required)
6. Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (optional)
6. Tissues (optional)
7. Trekking Pole (optional)
8. Camera (optional)
Note 1. For the best functioning of the event and for safety reasons, participants must comply with the instructions of the attendants.
Note 2. In case of cancellation of the event due to bad weather conditions, the excursion is moved to another date. Participants unable to participate on that date will be refunded. However, if again the weather conditions do not allow the event to take place, the event is permanently canceled and everyone is refunded. In case of cancellation by the participants, 7 days or less before the date of the event, the money is not returned.
Note 3. Photographic material is shared on our page and social media after each event. By participating in a Salonica View event, you also accept the sharing of photos. Otherwise, please let us know.
