Kykkos to Selladi tis Poufous trail: A heavenly scenery in a hidden trail

Description

The remote network of trails surrounding the Kykkos Monastery and the Paphos Forest offers a pristine escape into nature. Because of their secluded location, these interconnected paths remain largely undiscovered, preserving an unspoiled landscape of immense beauty. These hidden gems provide a serene and authentic experience specifically tailored for dedicated hikers and nature enthusiasts seeking to explore Cyprus’s wildest scenery. Such a trail is Kykkos to Selladi tis Poufous, waiting for adventurous hikers to explore it.

The Kykkos to Selladi tis Poufous trail is a rewarding linear route located in the rugged Paphos Forest. Stretching 9 km out and back, it is generally rated as moderate to difficult due to its significant elevation changes and the demanding terrain of Paphos mountains. Hikers can expect the journey to take approximately 3 to 4 hours, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,199 meters. The trail offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and deep, forested valleys, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a more challenging escape into Cyprus’s wilderness.

Viewpoints

The first 3 km overlap with the path Kykkos to Selladi tou Staxtou, offering hikers expansive, panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains that are beautifully framed by native Cyprus cedar trees. This remote wilderness is a prime habitat for the shy, endemic Cyprus mouflon, which lucky hikers might spot roaming the forested slopes. For a cultural finish, the trail is located near the world-renowned Kykkos Monastery, an 11th-century landmark famous for its lavish architecture and the sacred silver-gilt icon of the Virgin Mary, making it the perfect historical stop after a day in the mountains.

After following the shared path, the trail splits into two directions. The left one leads to Selladi tou Staxtou and the right one leads you toward the area known as Selladi tis Poufous. This spot serves as a magnificent natural balcony, unfolding in the hiker’s eyes endless views of the mountains of Paphos forest and providing a breathtaking vantage point over the entire region.

Starting points

The trail begins conveniently near the iconic Kykkos Monastery, with enough space for parking located just a few hundred meters before the trailhead. The same parking spot is used for the trails Kykkos To Konizi Trail and Kykkos to Selladi tou Staxtou routes.

To find the trailhead, follow Throni Road for 400 meters past the road gates. Another road appears on your right side. Follow that smaller road until it joins a restricted for cars gravel road. After a few hundred meters, you’ll spot the trail opening on your right, directly opposite several water tanks. As a linear route, the trail is accessible from either end, allowing you the flexibility to arrange having a car on each point if you prefer a one-way hike rather than an out-and-back journey. Both locations are described in the nature trail information table.

Personal comments

Both trails Kykkos to Selladi tou Staxtou and Kykkos to Selladi tis Poufous have a common path for 3 km and then they separate to reach different locations. The trail has a car access to both ends, hence you can do it only one way, in the case you prefer lowering the number of km and also the difficulty of the trail.

The trail’s beauty is truly undeniable, yet it remains a hidden gem rarely visited by crowds due to its remote location. The route primarily follows the mountain peaks and ridgelines, acting as a sky-high balcony that offers magnificent, uninterrupted vistas. This elevated path provides a sense of profound solitude and a unique perspective of the rugged horizon that few other trails in Cyprus can match.

For the best experience, I highly recommend tackling this trail during the winter months, when the crisp air and potential rainfall transform the landscape into a true mountain wilderness. However, due to its remote and isolated nature, this is not a journey to take alone. Always hike with a partner for safety. Overall, it is a remarkable trail that offers a rare sense of solitude and is absolutely worth the effort for those seeking the untamed beauty of Cyprus.

If you are interested to increase the difficulty of the hiking route, you can combine it with Antrouklies nature trail by adding 2.65 km more, in one way.

Kykkos to Selladi tis Poufous trail information table

Description
Starting points	Kykkos Monastery (link)
Ending point	Selladi tis Poufous (link)
Distance	4.5 km (9 km out-and-back)
Difficulty (1 – easy, 2 – moderate, 3 – difficult)	Moderate to Difficult
Trail type	Linear
ETA finish time	~3 hours (out-and-back)
Elevation Gain/Loss	430 metres
Maximum Altitude	1199 metres