3 -
National Forest Park of Athalassa
The park is situated at the Southeastern
edge of the capital Nicosia and covers an area of 840 hectares. Afforestation
began in 1904 with the planting of various forest species, mainly from abroad.
Over 500 trees, shrubs and herbs have been recorded in the area, 12 of which are
endemic. At Athalassa N.F.P a network of trails has been created covering
20 km.
1. Agios Georgios (Circular) Length :
2
km Time: 1 hour
Starting point: Two parking lots.
The trail goes round the banks of the small reservoir of the same name.
Points of Interest: Picnic area and
reservoir.
2. Agios Georgios - Botanical Gardens Length :
2.5
km Time: 1 hour
Starting point: A point on the
south side of the Agios Georgios reservoir.
Points of Interest: Botanical
Gardens next to the Forest Nursery which opens Monday - Friday 07.30 - 14.30.
3. Botanical Gardens - Picnic area at
SW Entrance Length : 2.2
km Time: 1 hour
Starting point: Botanical Gardens
Points of Interest: A route among
pine, eucalyptus trees, cypresses and acacias. A picnic area next to the
Althalassa reservoir with volleyball and basketball courts.
4. Athalassa Reservoir (Circular) Length :
2.2
km Time: 1 hour
Starting point: Picnic Area and NW
entrance
Points of Interest: A walk around
the reservoir. Observation point for hybrid birds.
5. Picnic area at NW Entrance Length :
2.5
km Time: 1 hour
Starting point: NW Entrance of
picnic area (4 different routes)
Points of Interest: Park of Nations
where Foreign Heads of States visiting Cyprus plant trees in remembrance of
their visits.
7. NW Entrance and picnic area - Agios
Georgios
Length : 4
km Time: 2 hours
Starting point: NW picnic area
Points of Interest: The two picnic
areas are linked by a third walk which goes past the Athalassa reservoir and
entrance 1
Note: There is a special 1.5
km path build especially for walking of dogs. THis path is situated to the
left of the Aglantzia - Geri road
This information was taken from the CTO
publication Nature Trails of Cyprus. You can get a copy from any Cyprus
Tourism Organization office in Cyprus. |