Happy Wanderers Paphos 

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, the Group has not organised any recent away trips.

November 2021 - Troodos Day and/or 3 day trip.

 

Day Trip to Troodos - 18^th October 2019

 

As a change to our normal circular walks, a linear walk was arranged with 45 members of the Group taking part.

There was the usual three walks, with the Long walkers starting off at Prodromos Reservoir and walking 21k with 1000m descent via Agios Georgios Church, Elaia Bridge and down to Kelefos Bridge.  

The Medium walkers started at Kampi Tou Kalogyrou Picnic site and completed 17.5k and 700m descent to Kelefos Bridge. 

The Short walkers started at Agios Georgios Church and had a 14k and 550m descent to Kelefos bridge.

A coach then picked up all the tired walkers to return to Mandria on the coast for traditional Fish and Chips.  The weather was just right for walking, with a mixture of sun and shade.  Well done to all those who took part in the day.

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Long Walk Challenge - 30th September & 1st October 2019

This was a 70k walk from Mount Olympus to Mandria on the coast.  Eight members of the group took part in a two day, long walk challenge. Some members were walking in aid of Pancreatic Cancer and raised €300-€400 for the charity.  It was a gruelling two days, so well done to Rod, Anne, Mark, Sharon, Monica, Heather, Paul and Lisalotte for taking up the challenge.

Day 1 - Mount Olympus to Roudias Bridge

Approx 38k/24 miles 430m climb, 1900 m descent

 

 

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Day 2 - Roudias Bridge to Mandria Coast

Approx 32k/21 miles, 200m ascent, 300m descent.

     

                

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DIPKARPAZ (PAN HANDLE) TRIP: 1^st – 10^th October 2018

In early October the Club organised walks for the Walkers around the Dipkarpaz region (Pan Handle) of the TRNC. Due to limited availability of the preferred accommodation, the walks were split during two periods, first period for the long walkers and then for the medium & short walkers.

LONG WALKS

17 Long Walkers arrived at Villa Lembos on 1^stOctober and settled into their comfortable chalets, ready for their first walk the next day.

DAY 1 - 16km 350m climb

We drove to the Apostle Andreas Monastery, on the south coast, (about 30 mins from Villa Lembos). 

The route followed the “Bone Trail”, heading inland crossing the Panhandle to the north coast where we had lunch overlooking a beautiful sandy bay. We then headed back to the Monastery and drove on for drinks at a bar overlooking the truly spectacular “Golden Beach”.

 

DAY 2 - 22k 200m climb

This was a, (fairly gruelling), linear walk from the ruins of Aphendrika Monastery, which is referred to as “the Three Churches”. A few early risers drove cars to the Apostle Andreas Monastery which was to be the finish point.

We more or less followed the north coast from the ruins to Cape Zafer. Some energetic souls climbed the extra distance up to the flags for the fantastic views from the most north-easterly tip of the island. We had lunch at the Cape and then walked back to the Apostolou Andreas Monastery to be greeted by the donkeys expecting a treat or two.

We then repaired to the taverna overlooking Golden Beach as the previous day.

DAY 3 - 16k 280m climb

A lovely walk, which started at the Monastery, with a few hair-raising moments over coastal rocks to Golden Sands Beach. The stunning views just about compensated for the scary ordeal.

Most of the group continued 4k along the glorious beach whilst those, (whose knees were not so willing!), walked down the road. We met up with perfect timing and after stopping for lunch in a shady spot, (few and far between), continued walking inland through forest. We scaled the donkey barrier that runs the width of the Panhandle just east of Golden Beach. It was a very hot day and some of the group opted to stop at the taverna so missing the final 2k, (but being rewarded by a cold drink or two), whilst the more hardy, (foolhardy?) carried on back to the cars at the Monastery before joining the rest of the group for a beer.

MEDIUM & SHORT WALKS

The 28 medium & short walkers arrived at Villa Lembos & the Glaro Gardens on 5^thOctober. All walkers met at Villa Lembos every evening for the pre-walk briefing followed by dinner.

Day 1 – Our first walk was from Ayios Philon Church just 5 min drive from the hotel.  It was a beautiful circular walk for both the groups. We walked inland to the village and then through the village to a small forest before heading back to the Coast. The medium walkers covered a distance of 13.5 km with a 200 m ascent whilst the short walkers had a choice of either an 8 or 4.5 km walk. 

After walk drinks was at the Oasis, just next to the Ayios Philon Church. Many walkers enjoyed the beautiful beach alongside with a refreshing dip and a doze!

 

Day 2 - We headed up the Pan Handle and past the donkey fence to the Monastery of Apostolou Andreas where we found the start of our walk, the infamous ‘Bone Trail’ that leads towards Cape Zafer. The trail ends before the water tank on the hill but you can see the flags marking the headland at the very end of Cyprus so we followed the water pipe to the police station guarding the island where we stopped for a well earned lunch. The policeman on duty, Henry, obliged us by taking group photographs before we set off back to the Monastery.

The medium walkers covered a distance of 13 km with an ascent of 150 m and the short walkers did a 10 km walk. Our after walk drinks was at the bar overlooking the beautiful golden sands beach where some walkers spent their afternoon.

 

Day 3 – The start of the walk was similar to the previous day by first repeating the bone trail then headed off north along the donkey fence. From the top most point we got a glorious view of the Golden Sands beach on the southern most side of the Pan Handle before heading down to walk along the northern coast and back to end at the Monastery again. The medium walkers did a brisk 10 km and the short walkers a relaxing 5 km.

We returned to the Oasis for the after walk drinks and the final swim in the beach for some.

 

 

 

Apart from the comfortable rooms, we all enjoyed the very friendly staff at Villa Lembos & Glaro Gardens. Breakfast was very good at both the hotels and the dinner was exceptional every night at Villa Lembos.

We had a chance to exercise our brains as well with the many after dinner board & card games available to the group. We had the opportunity to learn new games and enjoy the company of our fellow walkers.

Many thanks to all walk leaders, back markers and all who made the trip the resounding success it was. 

Special thanks to Rod and Jo for organising the whole event.

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CRETE TRIP: 15^th– 19^th MAY 2018

 

A walking trip on the Western side of the Island was organised for a group of 30. The walkers stayed at the Folia Apartments & Suites in Agia Marina, which is around 7 km west of Chania. The hotel was well equipped and comfortable. It served a very good Mediterranean breakfast before our daily start at 9 am. We had coaches ferrying us to the start and collecting us at the end of the walk.  

For those who didn’t walk every day, there were public buses from near the hotel to Chania quite frequently. It also had a nice pool and outdoor area for those who wished to relax. We had plenty of choices for evening meals and no one was short for company or drinks. 

There was a group dinner the first night at the hotel which also co-incided with Ros’s birthday.

Day 1 - Coast to Coast Walks: Limeniskos/Platanos - Kissamos

There was a choice of 2 walks, a long walk and a medium walk. As both the walks were relatively easy, walkers were encouraged to challenge themselves.

The Long Walk started at the Limeniskos Boat harbour on the west coast. After an initial walk past the green houses, there was a steady climb to the village of Platanos. From Platanos the route was similar to the medium walk, which finished in Kissamos. The total distance was 17 km with an ascent and descent of 400m.

The Medium Walk started at the village of Platanos and finished in Kissamos. After meandering through the village of Platanos & Falassarna, the walk continued onto a ridge with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. The recovery vehicle was a great assistance for those who could not walk the full distance. The total distance was 13 km with 180 m ascent and 400 m descent.

All the walkers met atStimadoris Fish Taverna in Kissamos for drinks.

Day 2 - Up in the Hills: Nea Roumata - Laggos/Orthouni

There was a choice of two walks, a long and a short walk both starting at Nea Roumata.

The Short Walkers had a good 9.5 km walk to Laggos in the hills of Nea Roumata with incredible views of the White Mountains. The walk had a gentle ascent of 255m and a descent of 400m. 

The Long Walkers carried on from Laggos to Orthouni completing a good distance of 16.7 km with a 640m ascent and descent.

We had a gracious hostess at the Seli Taverna in Lakkoi which was our watering hole after the walk.

Day 3 – Rodopos Peninsula

Our last day of walking with a choice of 2 walks, both with different start and end points.

The Long Walkers started from north of Rodopos and walking back to that village. This tough walk was 17 km with a 500 m ascent and 600 m descent, we named it the Monk’s Trail. 

The Short Walkers did a 9.3 km circular walk from Ravdoucha with beautiful coastal views. The ascent and descent was 360m.

 

Well deserved after walk drinks at Neratzia Taverna in Ravdoucha.

All the walkers met on the final evening to celebrate a successful trip.

Many thanks to Ros who was the chief organizer of the trip and ably assisted by Heather, Marion, Richard & Rema.

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PAN HANDLE TRIP: 6th – 10th NOVEMBER 2017

35 members and 2 guests enjoyed a very successful trip to the Karpaz Peninsula in North Cyprus. It was a long drive but all thought it worthwhile. The Exotic Hotel Staff made us very welcome and provided wonderful food both at breakfast and in the evening in the Kiyi Restaurant.  Most enjoyed a leisurely drink before and after dinner when Anne M. Jo K. And Lynne tried to teach us the fascinations of Mexican Train. (I believe Amazon have had to order extra stocks since we all got home!) 

The weather was amazing and the rain held off for all the walks, (although some non-walkers who stayed behind did get a soaking!)

Day 1   Aphrendika Ruins

We had an hour long drive to the village of Dipkarpas and through to the North coastal region. The two walks started at the ruined churches with the shorter walk attended by 13 members was 8k and led by Rod, taking a fairly flat route out to the sea, along the coast and back. The longer walk, attended by 21 members  was 14k, (should have been 13!) was led by Jo, had a tricky start, (not completely lost but definitely an interesting diversion), after hacking their way through the overgrown forest, the track was recovered and normal walking resumed. This walk also went down to the sea and along the coast to finish. Both groups met for drinks at the Oasis Beach Bar afterwards.

 

 

Day 2   Kantara Castle

 

Day 3  Kumyali

Kumyali is on the south coast about half an hour’s drive from the hotel. Both walks followed the same nature trail. The shorter, led by Jo, was 9k and the longer, led by Rod, added a loop further along the coast then inland. There were several challenging steep (but short) climbs down rocks with an even more challenging climb (almost vertical!) up after lunch. All 28 walkers completed these challenges and we must applaud the determination and skill of those members for whom it really must have been daunting! (Thankfully alternative routes did not have to be sought). Both walks had a leisurely picnic lunch on the beautiful unspoilt beach, some even taking time for a quick sunbathe (or was it an excuse to lie down?) Both groups went back for drinks in the sun at the hotel restaurant, which had tables bordering the sea.

Many thanks to all involved who helped make the trip possible and so memorable. Rod & Jo,  John & Viv, Richard & Rema, Lynne Alan & Fay. 

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KYRENIA TRIP:  27th – 30th April 2017

56 members and guests had a successful trip to Kyrenia in the Northern part of Cyprus.  The weather was kind, even if the Turkish Army caused us some problems again in closing off the area we had planned to walk in. Fortunately this was discovered the day before and we were able to adjust our plans and swop around the planned walks.

Day 1 was the linear and Nature Trail walks in the area of Esentepe, we had 42 walking in the 3 groups. Although the short walkers still had to amend their start point due to last minute road closures, they were not fazed by this and did the linear walk in reverse finishing at the Antiphonitis Church for a refreshing lemon drink and browse around the church   

Day 2. The long walkers started at Five Fingers to walk along the ridge back to Bellapais.  When the minibus was booked to take them on the one-way trip to start their walk the driver was very surprised they did not want a return journey and that they were walking back. The medium and short walkers completed walks around the Bellapais area taking in the views of the Monastery from all angles finishing with a well earned drink in the village. 36 walked plus four of our less able members also did a stroll from the hotel up to the village of Bellapais and back.

Day 3. Our return to Paphos via Yesilirmak (The Strawberry Village) saw 20 members walking around the area before taking lunch across the border in Kato Pyrgos.

Many thanks goes to all those who were involved in one-way or another in making this trip possible.