A trail through black pines, restored houses in Fikardou and ancient city-kingdoms south of Lefkosia reveal different sides of the Nicosia District. Nature trails, rural architecture and archaeological sites each offer a distinct way to explore the area: through specific plant and animal species, former village customs or the history of a copper mine.
Hiking trails and their natural surroundings
The Mnimata Piskopon hiking trail passes through thickets of black pine and lies entirely within the Troodos National Forest Park, a Natura 2000 site. Rowan, barberry, terebinth and strawberry trees grow along the trail; the endemic golden oak is also found here. The trail description thus links a clearly identified forest area with a specific selection of native and endemic plants.
Among the endemic plants listed along the Kionia–Profitis Ilias hiking trail are shrubby knapweed, golden oak and purple rockcress. These also include “Manouthkia”, a small evergreen shrub with pale pink flowers. The area is also home to the Cyprus blunt-nosed viper, the black whipsnake and the Cyprus lizard.
The trail begins at the Kionia picnic site, where a fountain provides drinking water, and ends at the Profitis Ilias picnic site. The latter is about 8 kilometres from Lythrodontas and 6 kilometres from Mandra tou Kambiou via unpaved roads. Check whether the fountain is available before setting out.
Cycling in Machairas Forest
The cycling routes also have their own highlights. The Lefkosia-2 cycling route starts at Lythrodontas village square and leads into Machairas Forest. The Lefkosia-1 cycling route features a 5.5-kilometre mountain bike course used by the Cyprus Sunshine Cup. The description of the international Afxentia race gives its annual date as the last weekend of February. This provides a specific route starting point, a course length and an event date for planning.
Village history in Fikardou and Lythrodontas
Fikardou is located at an altitude of 900 metres in the Pitsilia region of the Nicosia District. The Department of Antiquities declared the village an “Ancient Monument” in 1978, and it received the Europa Nostra Award in 1987. The award recognised its carefully restored 18th-century houses, remarkable woodwork and folk architecture. The Katsinioros House and the Achilleas Dimitris House are museums displaying rural objects and depictions of village life in the past. Fikardou can therefore be understood both through its architecture and through objects and scenes from everyday life in earlier times.
Lythrodontas has the largest concentration of olive trees on the island. Another aspect of village life can be experienced at a restored old grain and olive oil mill, which visitors can tour and which offers a virtual reality tour of former village customs. Check whether the tour is available for your visit before travelling. Lythrodontas can be reached via the B1 road and then the E103; no specific journey time is given.
Churches and ancient heritage
Machairas Monastery is one of the region’s major attractions. It houses the icon of Panagia of Machairas, attributed to the Evangelist Agios Loukas, the Apostle Luke. The Panagia tou Araka–Stavros tou Agiasmati trail offers another way to combine hiking and church art: it connects the churches of Panagia tou Araka (1192) and Stavros tou Agiasmati (1494). Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are known for their frescoes.
The ruins of the ancient city-kingdoms of Tamassos and Idalion, south of Lefkosia, are part of the Nicosia District. Tamassos was built near an important copper mine and flourished during Roman times, when Cyprus was known for its copper. At the site of ancient Idalion, a museum displays finds from excavations in the surrounding area, arranged in chronological order. The two sites have different historical focuses: Tamassos is associated with copper and its Roman-era prosperity, while Idalion presents its excavation finds in chronological order.
Discover more destinations: Geri, Nicosia, Kakopetria, Gourri, Lythrodontas, Pedhoulas, Peristerona, Prodromos, Aghia Marina, Kalopanayiotis, Spilia, Egkomi, Galata, Palaichori, Kampia, Pachyammos, Strovolos, Pera, Tseri, Sha, Lakatamia, Kannavia, Klirou, Lefke, Askas, Dilekkaya, Ghaziveran, Arapköy, Latsia, Yeşilırmak, Aglantzia, Kato Pyrgos, Nisou, Dali, Lympia, Phicardou, Vyzakia, Mathiatis.
For the main travel overview: Cyprus.
