In the area of the gulf of Episkopi in the Limassol district, there is a "secret" but unreachable paradise. It is a beach, sandy, with an area of about 800 meters. It is called Trypiti beach or as is usually called "Zapalo Beach".
Years ago there was a gravel quarry at the bay of Tripiti, to cover the needs in the domain of construction in the Limassol area. The underwater quarry is visible to this day, when looking from high above on the coastal area of the bay. The company in charge of the extracts was "Zapalo" and this is where the second name of the beach comes from. For the convenience of vehicles and machinery, the company opened up a dirt track on the edge of the vertical slope.
Years later, the "Zapalo" company moved to another, more accessible area and left the bay of Tripiti. The transformation of the seafloor from mining favored the creation of a fishing shelter.
Hundreds of fishing boats docked at the former quarry. Unfortunately, both the Cypriot Government, as well as the United Kingdom, which has legal responsibility over the bay, never preserved nor repaired the dirt road. The difficulties for fishermen, grew year by year thus preventing their stay in the unregistered fishing shelter. They "moved" their boats to other shelters little by little.
Meanwhile, the sea and nature, brought huge quantities of fine sand on the shore, creating a beach so beautiful that it can easily be compared to beaches in the east of Cyprus and Famagusta area.
This beautiful beach, which is hidden and cut off from the world, is enjoyed by a few dozens of people and fishermen. The administration of the SBA, tried many times to cut the only road that leads to the secret paradise. But people who knew and wanted to enjoy it, removed the barbed wire and crimped the iron doors that closed their passage to the beach.
Recently, the Government promised to find funds to proceed with the approval of the British, to open a new road, less dangerous and less downhill. Let us hope that the promise will be kept and the beach Trypiti will become accessible to everyone.
You can access to the beach via the road going from Kourion to the Sanctuary of Apollo. After the entrance to the Sanctuary, at a distance of a hundred meters, take the turn on the left. Go straight to the point where you will find the remains of an iron bar which is intended to cut the road. If our car is not 4x4, tall and auxiliary, then it is better to leave it there (there is enough space) and proceed by foot.
The walk downhill is easy but attention is required since with the steep slope along with the fine powder the the road is covered in, whatever shoes you are wearing, there is a risk of slipping. If you are not properly trained, it is better that you do not cover the distance by foot. On the way back, the path turns into "hell".
The journey has been transformed into steps of up to a foot high at many points, due to the rain and the indifference of the British. Therefore if you plan on going there by car, keep it at very low speed, such when going downhill as on when going uphill. If you are not an experienced driver do not try to go by car. The cliff is very steep and the dirt road is so rocky that they test the vehicle and the driver.
