At the picnic area of “Kionia” a very interesting path of observation of Cypriot nature is found. It is called the path of “Kionia - Profitis Ilias”, it has a length of about seven kilometres and it ends up at Profitis Ilias in Lythrodonta. It is a very difficult journey and this is why the Department of Forests classifies it under category 3, which is the maximum grade of difficulty.
Before you begin your journey, get supplied with water and appropriate shoes and clothes. You will find water opposite the entrance of the path, from the natural source that exists in the picnic area.
From the very first metres, the path will prepare you for what will happen next. It has seven difficult kilometres with great differences in altitude. An uphill will follow a downhill and vice versa. At many points you will have great difficulties, especially when going downhill, where you will have to be aware of slipping.
You will pass through forests, where at higher levels Pine trees dominate, and on lower ones the Cypriot Latzia (Golden Oak). A small river will keep you company for most of the journey, with its water’s gurgle, that descends wildly from the area where the picnic area is found, to connect to the big river Pedieos.
Attention is required when the journey passes through very rugged and slippery slopes.
The journey offers you the possibility of the view of a big part of the fields of Mesaoria, as well as some of its villages.
The benefits from the walk on a difficult path as this one are many. You will see and study a great number of plants and trees of the local flora, as well as those of the forest of Machairas. Take care of the rocks and their alternations. If you are lucky enough, you will see animals too. The biggest of all the benefits is the “contact” with the Cypriot nature. It is a type of nature that has developed away from foreign influences and impurities.
We would like to remind you that in Cyprus it is strictly prohibited to cut or beroot wild flowers, so do not disturb the nature and wildlife and do not through your garbage in the valleys through which the path passes.
The path is linear, thus make sure that someone is waiting for you at the end. If this is not the case, you will be obliged to walk back another seven kilometres.
