Self Guided Walking Holidays in Limassol
Limassol walking holidays offer some truly breathtaking scenery and off-the-beaten-track hiking opportunities. Hiking routes of different length and difficulty have been developed along the most attractive areas so that you can easily find the right experience for you!
ARSOS TO PANO PLATRES RELIGIOUS ROUTE
The Arsos to Pano Platres religious route is an 18 km route that takes around 260 minutes to hike. It starts in Arsos village and it’s divided into several sections passing through the picturesque Omodos village well known for its wine making tradition and historic monastery, Mandria village with some spectacular landscapes and finishes at Pano Platres village at an altitude of 1200 meters, one of the most popular mountain resorts on the island.
In Arsos village, the Church of Apostle Philippos located in the heart of the village. It is a church which was built in the 13th century and which has been repaired several times since then. Next to the church stands the chapel of Agia Mariamni, the sister of Apostle Philippos. In the village, there is also a second small medieval church, dedicated to Panayia Chryseleousa of the Catholics. In the ancient times it was a Latin Monastery.
The Monastery of the Holy and Life-giving Cross, built at the heart of Omodos village is the pride and joy of the community. It rises majestically and with its imposing presence it becomes a significant part of Cyprus's cultural heritage. The Monastery of the Holy Cross is one of the oldest and most historic monasteries of the island. According to tradition, one night the inhabitants of neighbouring villages observed a fire in some bushes at the area where the monastery stands today. When it dawned, they went to the spot where the fire was seen but there was no sign. This phenomenon repeated for several nights, so they started to dig the earth, discovering a small cave in which they found the Cross. In order to thank the Lord, they constructed a chapel over the cave and kept their precious treasure there, which became a sacred place of adoration for them. With the passage of time the chapel expanded and was converted into a Monastery. The Country Church of Apostle Philip is the oldest of Omodos's country churches and it is located in the "Pente Litharia" (Five Rocks) venue west of the village and at a distance of about 3 kilometres from it. Next to the country church stands a large, age-long laurel tree. Its circumference is 8 meters and its height is 17 meters. Its age is approximately estimated to be a few centuries. The country church of Agia Paraskevi is located in the North-east and at a small distance from the village. It was ruined and was renovated in 1976. The small, snow-white country church of the Prophet Elias is found in the North-west of the village at a distance of two kilometres from Omodos, upon one of the village's highest hills. It was also in ruins and was renovated in 1975. The Country Church of Agios Spiridonas is located at a distance of about one kilometre South of the village.
Walking through the narrow streets of Mandria village you will be impressed by the old houses with colourful shutters and iron railings. Visiting the location of Rotsia, you will see a huge pine tree, from this height you can see almost the whole village. It is also worth visiting the local agricultural winery, the Frank Bridge over Cha-Potami, which in the past the wagons used it for crossing the village and the old school of the village that is now being used as a Cultural Centre.
Additionally, the village of Mandria has beautiful and remarkable religious sites, such as the large church dedicated to Agios Georgios. Also in the village is the church of Agios Mamas and Agia Paraskevi.
Taking a stroll through Pano Platres you will see the church of the village dedicated to Panagia Faneromeni, building of 1880. The first church of Platres was the chapel of Panagia Faneromeni between Platres and Kato Platres. There are also many chapels in the village, such as the Chapel of Panagia Iamatiki, which began to be built in 1940 and completed in 1975, on the ruins of an old Monastery, the chapel of Agios Nikolaos in 1995 and above the ruins of the old monastery, the chapel of Agia Irini. In addition, in the village, you can see the old Municipal Market building that has been restored and converted into a cultural centre, the Roxane Koudounari fountain, built in 1936 and located on Caledonia Street across from the Valley of Hariton. In Pano Platres there are many Nature Trails that cross the village, such as the Kalidonia Trail leading to the waterfall, the Kalidonia waterfall, the Milomeri trail which also leads to a beautiful waterfall, the Millomeris waterfall and the nature trail of the bridge of Milia. Green areas with tall plane trees, drowned in greenery, give beauty to the village and are worth a visit, such as the valley of Hariton and Psilo Dendro, the Krios River flowing from Chionistra, the Cypriot Mount Olympus and heading south crosses east of Platres.
In the villages, vines of varieties of wine and various fruit trees are grown, such as: apple trees, pear trees, cherry trees, plums, olive trees, almonds and walnuts. Livestock farming is very limited.
Church of Apostle Philippos
Chapel of Agia Mariamni
Panayia Chryseleousa of the Catholics Church
Monastery of the Holy and Life-giving Cross,
Church of Apostle Philip
Church of Agia Paraskevi
Church of the Prophet
Church of Agios Spiridonas
Frank Bridge
Church of Agios Georgios
Church of Agios Mamas and Agia Paraskevi
Panagia Faneromeni Church
Chapel of Panagia Faneromeni
Chapel of Panagia Iamatiki
Chapel of Agios Nikolaos
Chapel of Agia Irini
Pano Platres Cultural Centre (Old Municipal Market)
Bridge of Milia
Walk the Arsos to Pano Platres religious route with a guide and in a group for an even more unforgettable experience. The walk takes you through charming villages for a unique experience you will treasure forever, sharing with other pilgrims as well.
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