Pafos is an excellent area for walking - mainly
in the virtually untouched Akamas peninsula, although if you wish to
travel further afield there are also many great walks in the Troodos
hills. There are numerous guidebooks which give details on walks
and there are also leaflets available from any CTO office. Additionally
the Laona Project has published a small booklet entitled 'Discover
Laona… Walks, Strolls and Drives' which gives details on seven walks
in the Akamas area.
The walks are of varying degrees of difficulty and are worth
exploring as you will travel through some of the most beautiful parts
of this tiny island. While thousands enjoy the walks each year, and
in the main there are no accidents, it is important that you take
some simple precautions:
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| If you decide to stay at a coastal resort, don’t miss the chance
of visiting the mountains! I would recommend that you take a hire
car - you could visit some of the most popular villages in a day.
If you would like to see the mountains at their best you can’t beat
taking a short scenic walk, which will reveal so many things you would
otherwise miss! I have included two of the best walks in the area,
both start near Troodos ... MORE |
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· The major danger when
walking in Cyprus is from the sun or dehydration, particularly if you are
not acclimatised, and this can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Avoid walking between midday and 4pm during the summer months. Take plenty
of water and drink at regular intervals, even if you do not feel thirsty.
As a guide you should aim to carry a litre of water per person, per hour
you plan to walk.
· Wear a
hat and sensible shoes, preferably with ankle support. Many of the walks
do not offer much shade and the ground may be rougher than you expect with
loose stones underfoot.
· Use
an effective sun cream.
· Try to avoid walking alone. If that is unavoidable you should ensure someone
knows which route you are planning to take and when you expect to be back.
Therefore, should you have an accident, they can raise the alarm and give searchers
some indication of where you might be.
While snakes are rare - even if you see one it is unlikely to be poisonous -
try not to put your hands or feet under rocks or bushes where snakes may
be sleeping. In the unlikely event that you are bitten, do not panic. Simply
return to your vehicle and go directly to the nearest hospital where they
can treat you properly. Article by J.H
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