At a glance
A downhill route through Machairas forest from the Kionia picnic site to Profitis Ilias, with long views over the central plain. The steep descent near the end makes good footwear essential.
- Region
- Nicosia
- Distance
- 7 km
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Time
- about 2.5 hours
- Route type
- Linear
- Start point
- Kionia picnic site (Machairas Forest)
What you'll see
- Views over the Mesaoria plain
- Machairas Natura 2000 forest
- Drinking water at the start
Before you go
- Carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person and a hat; there is little shade on many Cyprus trails from May to October.
- Start early in summer and avoid the hottest hours (12:00–16:00).
- Wear proper walking shoes: paths are often stony and steep in places.
- This is a demanding route: allow extra time and don't walk it alone if you're not used to mountain paths.
- Routes can close after fires or storms. Check the official page for the latest status.
- In an emergency, call 112.
Map & official details on Visit Cyprus
Source: Deputy Ministry of Tourism (Visit Cyprus), checked October 2026. Description written by Expatify.