If you’re venturing out of town for some exploring this holiday season, make it a day to remember and take the winding roads through the Troodos mountains and the Paphos forest that lead you to the gorgeous ‘Stavros tis Psokas’.If you love remote spots, then this place is to die for. Smack bang in the heart of the forest, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a real winter wonderland where scented pines reign supreme.
Characterised by the Stavros tis Psokas Forest Station and a gorgeous adjacent picnic site, you can also walk right up to a designated enclosed area where you can catch a glimpse of Cyprus Moufflons ((a wild sheep found only in Cyprus). This area is in fact considered to be one of the most important habitats for the moufflon and there aren’t many other spots on the island where you’ll get to see them.
If you really wander further through the forest and explore the area, you may even spot them in the wild. But do approach quietly as they tend to run away at the sight of humans! There are a number of nature which you can embark on in the area, including the gorgeous Horteri Trail which starts about 1km from the forest station, with stunning views of Akamas.
Want to explore further? There’s the gorgeous Cedar Valley nearby, home to the unique Cyprus Cedar reaching up to touch the skies. While you explore the area, keep your eyes peeled for plenty of endemic plants and the Golden Oak (the national tree of Cyprus),
Then you can take a drive to Kykkos Monastery or visit the medieval Venetian bridges of Tzelefos, Elia and Roudias, taking you back in time with an almost fairy-tale backdrop amid lush greenery!
