Cyprus National Parks

The Department of Forestry has made suggestions for of an effective utilization of the Park and together with the Department of Planning and Housing an effort has been made to develop the Liopetri riverbed.

The Park is another unique choice for every visitor who aims at enjoying the beauty of the island’s nature while it assists in the enhancement of the endemic flora, the development of dense vegetation zones as well as the protection of these zones with a pathway through the picturesque landscape.

The Park also includes nature and walking paths as well as bicycle tracks which act as “bridges” that link all the neighboring areas.    

Inquiries:

Nicosia – Larnaca and Ammochostos Divisional Forest Officer, tel. 22403704

Parks Officer, tel.22805533

The objectives of the Park include ιts protection and conservation as a green area as well as ιts protection from other uses. The aim is to provide an opportunity for the public to engage in sports and recreation.

Recreation Facilities:

• Picnic area
• Children’s playground
• Sports and walking trails
• Bicycle track
• Observation points
• Sport playgrounds  

Most of the facilities have already been completed. The remaining ones are under construction.  

Flora

184 of species, subspecies and plant varieties have been established. Of those, two are very rare and it is the first time they have been spotted in Cyprus. These species are: Herniaria hemistemon J.Gay, Cyprophilu linearifolia (Fisch. et May) Boiss and Chrozophora oblique (Vahl) A. Juss ex Spreng.

Fauna

Various species are found in this park such as the hare (Lepus europaeus), the partridge (Alectoris chukar), various small birds and reptiles.  

Inquiries:

Lefkosia – Larnaka and Ammochostos Divisional Forest Officer, Tel.: 22403704

Parks Officer, tel.22805533

Petra tou Romiou National Forest Park

A development project has been pursued for this Park and it is already underway. The area of the Park in hectares is 349,2 hect.

The main objective of the Park is to provide opportunities for recreation and sports and to improve the area aesthetically.  

Recreation Facilities:

• Picnic area
• Children’s playground
• Nature trail
• Sports trail
• Cycling track
• Look out points  

Flora

Rare plants as well as a large number or orchids create natural habitats with special characteristics and uniqueness.  

Fauna

There are species such as the hare (Lepus europaeus), the partridge (Alectoris chukar), ravens, seagulls, various small birds and reptiles.  

Inquiries:

Pafos Divisional Forest Officer, tel.22942746

Parks Officer, tel.22805533

The main objectives of the Park are:

• Protection of landscape, nature and biodiversity.
• Promotion of recreation and tourism.
• Conservation and management of wild life.  

For the accommodation of visitors, a small picnic site has been created. There is a refreshment kiosk, car park, bicycle track, network of walking trails with a total length of 16km and trail for horse riding.  

Sights at the Park

The viewpoint «Kavos», Sea caves, Chapel of Ayioi Anargyroi, «Konnoi» sandy bay, «Cyclopas cave»

Flora

The area is characterised by sclerophyllous, evergreen vegetation, the well-known maquis which is dominated by Phoenicean juniper (Juniperus phoenicea). The total number of plant species recorded in Cape Greco is about 400. Among them, 14 are endemic to Cyprus. Another 14 indigenous plant species are considered to be rare.  

Fauna

Various species of mammals can be observed in the area like foxes, hares and hedgehogs, several species of reptiles like snakes and lizards and a big variety of butterflies. More than 80 species of birds, most of them migratory have been recorded in the area.  

Inquiries:

Nicosia – Larnaca and Ammochostos Divisional Forest Officer, tel. 22403704

Parks Officer, tel.22805533

The reason for declaring the Park a national forest park is to protect and utilize its significant functions and values: ecological, scientific, hydrological and recreational. For this purpose a Development Plan of the National Forest Park will be pursued and implemented.    

The current situation is as follows:

Picnic areas

There are 3 picnic areas in the park with tables, drinking water, parking places, toilets and children’s playgrounds.  

Nature trails

In total there are 5 trails in the area of the park running along a route of 19 km. One of these trails has been designed to be used by people in wheelchairs too. All trails have information signs listing the main points of special interest.  

Bicycle tracks

A number of forest parks is being used for the sport of Mountain Biking.  

Flora

The plant species found in the Machairas Park are over 600. Among them there are 27 indigenous plants of Cyprus. The dominant forest tree is the calabrian pine (Pinus brutia) which creates a beautiful forest landscape either on its own or in combination with other trees such as the endemic golden oak (Quercus alnifolia) and other shrubs.  

Fauna

One can come across various species of mammals such as the fox (Vulpes vulpes), the hare (Lepus europaeus) and the hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus dorotheae), various species of reptiles such as snakes and lizards and rare endemic species of butterflies. Important birds in the Park are the protected species Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) and the endemics: Cyprus Warbler (Sylvia melanothorax), Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca), Coal Tit (Parus ater cypriotes), Scops Owl (Otus scops cyprius), Jay (Garulus glandarius) and also the common Chukar (Alectoris chukar) and Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus).

Hydrology

The two most important streams of Cyprus, Pediaios and Yialias, spring from the Park as well as the two streams of Pentaschinos and Maroni.     

Inquiries:

Nicosia – Larnaca and Ammochostos DivisionalForest Officer, tel. 22403704

Parks Officer, tel.22805533

Aside from its primary role as a green lung area the park offers to its visitors the chance for relaxation, recreation, physical exercising and environmental as well as educational awareness raising.

The Park includes two picnic areas, roads, bicycle tracks, pedestrian lanes, sports grounds, parking places, an Environmental Information Centre, a bird observation point at the Athalassa Dam, botanical garden, dog walking path etc. Its overall extent is 840,2 hectares.

Of particular interest is the Agios Georgios park with its small picturesque lake and the perimetric path surrounding it which is lit at night.  

Inquiries:

Nicosia – Larnaca and Ammochostos Divisional Forest Officer, tel. 22403704

Parks Officer, tel.22805533

The park aims at:

• Maintaining the green lung of the area
• Improving the aesthetic of the area
• Offering moments of recreation to its visitors  

Visitors can stop by the beautiful Park in their way to the capital and spend productive and relaxing time there. The Park is ideal for families and young children since there is space for little kids to have fun while at the same time a kiosk is available for young people to have a drink or snack while being in this nice park.  

Inquiries:

Nicosia – Larnaca and Ammochostos Divisional Forest Officer, tel. 22403704,

Parks Officer, tel.22805533

Picnic Sites

There are 9 picnic sites within the Park area. Among the facilities provided are wooden tables, drinking water, car parks, toilets and children’s play areas.

Camping

There are three places for camping. Two of these, are campsites for short stays with only rudimental facilities. One at Kampi tou Kalogyrou 4km from Trooditissa and 3 km from Prodromos next to the road and the other at Platania (Kakopetria Troodos road) 5km from Kakopetria left to the road, before Platania  Forest Station. The third site, 500m east of the Troodos square, just next to the main road, is suitable for longer stays due to the fact that it includes upgraded facilities.

Nature Paths

The nature paths of the Park are well-known and popular. In total, there are 10 paths within the Park with an overall length of 57.6km. One of them has been designed to be accessible by wheelchairs. All trails are well maintained and signposted.

Flora

The total number of individual plant species recorded in the Troodos National Forest Park approaches 750. Among them, 72 are endemic to Cyprus, of which 12 are exclusive to the Park. Some of these plants have been named after Troodos like Alyssum troodi, Nepeta troodi, Scorzonera troodea etc. The Troodos National Forest Park constitutes the only, or the main habitat in Cyprus for many hardy plant species, such as the wild service tree, foetid juniper, cotoneaster, barberry etc.

Fauna

Animal life in the Park is also rich and with high conservational value. Of particular interest are the rare and protected: Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Raven (Corvus corax) Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraetus fasciatus) Treecreeper (Certhia brahydactyla dorotheae) the Cyprus Wheather (Oenanthe cypriaca) etc.

Geology

The distinctive geology of the Troodos Forest area has attracted international scientific interest. The various rock types of the forest belong to the ophiolithic complex, which is characteristic of the broader Troodos range and which is one of the best developed worldwide and for this reason it has become the object of scientific study. The main rocks found in the Park area are serpentine, dunite, wehrlite, pyroxenite, plagiogranite, gabbro, diabase and volcanic rocks at the lower altitudes.

Hydrology

Most of the largest streams of Cyprus spring from the Troodos forest: Kouris, Kryos Potamos, Karkotis and Marathasa river. At present, about 50 springs with substantial flow are known, used for supplying drinking water to many villages.  

Inquiries:

Troodos Divisional Forest Officer, tel. 22924221,

Parks Officer, tel. 22805533 

The aim is to protect and conserve the Park as an important green area, an area of Relaxation and Recreation and to create environmental awareness tp the public.

Recreational Facilities:

• Picnic area
• Children’s playground
• Nature paths
• Observation points
• Kiosk
• Sports grounds
• Sports trail
• Amphitheatre
• Museum of Natural History

Inquiries:

Troodos Divisional Forest Officer, tel. 22924221 and 25305833,

Parks Officer, tel. 22805533  

The Park is located close to the village of Ayia Napa on the coastal zone, in the area of Famagusta. A new development project is being pursued. A picnic area is also available near the beach. The area of the National Park in hectares is 25,92 hect.

Inquiries:

Nicosia – Larnaca and Ammochostos Divisional Forest Officer, tel. 22403704

Parks Officer, tel.22805533