Print this pageThe Walking Season in Cyprus
The walking season starts in Cyprus in September and ends in May. It is unusual, but not unknown, for overseas visitors to take short walks in the Troodos mountains in June, July and August, however afternoon temperatures even at 6000 feet above sea level can be as high as 32 degrees Centigrade!
Regarding the nature of the walking season, a few basic facts are worth noting, but please bear in mind we can only be general and brief, there are many good guide books which can give you more information.
The higher the altitude the lower the day and night temperatures at all times of the year.
The days are shortest around the end of December when darkness will come suddenly around 4 pm. This means a very early start to make the most of the walking day, but it is worth the effort!
From September to December daytime temperatures slowly decline from 25 to 20 degrees Centigrade on the coast, and from 20 to 15 degrees Centigrade in the mountains. After the heat of summer the air is dry and clear so blue skies and long clear views are normal, which is great for photography. The countryside is extremely dry and seasonal rivers do not flow. A few spectacular electric storms may interrupt this picture in November and December, but they last only a few days at most and temperatures then return to previous levels. Sea temperatures remain comfortably high and swimming at Christmas is usually possible.
In January and February daytime temperatures can dip to 12 degrees on the coast and close to zero in the high mountains, before increasing slowly, back up to 25 degrees Centigrade on the coast and 20 degrees Centigrade in the mountains by May. Because of more frequent storm activity the progress of the temperature increase is less predictable and often goes into a temporary reverse after storms. The great advantage of this period though is the coming of spring at low altitudes from February onwards. This brings a profusion of wild flowers and blossom to the countryside which greens rapidly. At higher altitudes spring comes later and at the top of the high mountains snow can persist on north-facing slopes into March. River flows and waterfalls are at there most spectacular in April and early May.
Large numbers of migratory birds are in evidence in both periods moving south in September/October and returning north in April/May.
In the historic long-term Cyprus has average rainfall in line with many parts of Southern Europe, however averages don't tell the whole story. The weather cycle here produces years of relative drought and then perhaps one year in 7 to 10 years of record levels of rainfall. For the last five years, and following a record wet year drought has persisted, with reservoirs at record low levels in 2008 - though exceptional rains over the winter of 2008/9 have greatly eased the situation.
The most extreme weather in Cyprus takes place in short, sharp storms which sweep in from the West and North and hit the mountains hardest, sometimes avoiding the coast altogether. Given their predictability it is usually relatively easy to make arrangements to walk at lower levels when there are storms around!
We will be very happy to advise you of the likely weather conditions when you book your holiday and then update the information just before you come. It's all part of the service!
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call either Lisa in the UK or Sue in Cyprus:
Tel. +44 7919 578203, Email:
Tel. +357 99 04 74 19, Email:
(If you call out of hours please leave a message including the best time to call you, your country and a contact number. We will do our best to call you back.)
Alternatively, you can use the contact form to send us an email.
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