Print this pageEast to Madhari Ridge
The E4 European Trail heads east from Troodos square via the main Nicosia road before entering the forest again at the Kambos tou Livadou picnic site. The forest trail descends some 2000 feet to the Platania Forest Station and picnic area and then climbs 1000 feet to the Madhari Ridge. The trail starts as a wide track winding through the black pine forest, and by stages narrows to a steeply descending path through ever changing flora.
The long views when they come are sudden and startling, with the mountain seeming to drop way before you. At several points the view North East is exceptional towards the Central Plain and Nicosia, at others you seem to see the full length of the Troodos range to the east as far as Machairas. The vegetation becomes denser with calabrian pine golden oak and wild shrubs.
At one point it seems you are passing through a flat densely forested glade, only to be thrown the next minute onto a narrow cliff edge path. Eventually and suddenly the narrow path ends and you are delivered onto a wide rock strewn road beneath huge cliffs and boulders of grey green and black rock, with huge scree slopes and almost bare of vegetation.
Finally, turning a corner the lush grounds of the forest station, picnic area, and restaurant appear and the end of the first half of the walk. We now cross the main road and take a short stroll to the Moufflon enclosure, an outpost of the main Moufflon Sanctuary, which is in the Pafos Forest.
The continuing E4 trail passes through the enclosure offering the potential for a good look at these delightful animals. The second half of the walk on the E4 climbs 1000 feet, first through the forest on a narrow path, then winding on a wide track between orchards and vineyards. The view is now looking back towards the huge dramatic mass of Mount Olympus. The walk ends at the start of the Madhari Ridge Loop beneath Mount Adelphi. Time 4 hours.
(Mountains Bus Walk. The walk as far as Platania and a visit to the Moufflon enclosure is possible in less than 3 hours, with ferrying by car to the start of the walk and for the return to Troodos Square.)
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