Description
Located in the heart of the rugged Akamas region, the Smigies nature trail is a captivating journey through some of Cyprus’s most diverse landscapes. The path offers a refreshing balance for hikers, beginning with stretches of cool shade under dense foliage before opening up into the raw, sun-drenched beauty of Akamas nature bushes and its signature desert-like terrain. As you climb, the reward is immediate: sweeping, magnificent views that stretch across the entire peninsula and the turquoise waters beyond.
The trail itself is a manageable 6.8-7 km loop, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a scenic yet accessible hike. With a total elevation gain of just 208 meters, it is comfortably categorized as easy and typically takes between an hour and a half to two hours to complete at a steady pace. Because it is a circular route, you’ll enjoy a constantly changing perspective of the landscape without ever having to double back.
Table of Contents
Viewpoints
The journey begins at the expansive Smigies picnic area, a peaceful spot equipped with wooden benches and barbecue facilities under the shade of tall pine trees. As you leave the picnic site, the trail reveals some of the most striking vistas on the island, where the rugged Akamas peninsula meets the shimmering, crystalline blue of the Mediterranean Sea.
Along the route, you will encounter the dark openings of abandoned magnesium mine tunnels, which were once used for the extraction and exploration of magnesium ores in the mid-20th century.
Further along, the path passes the stone ruins of a building, believed to be connected to the historical mining operations or local forestry. You’ll also find an old smelting furnace (or kiln), a silent reminder of the area’s industrial heritage where magnesium or copper was once processed.
Starting points
The trailhead is located exactly at the Smigies picnic site in Akamas national forest park, near the Neo Chorio village. The GPS location can be found in the Smigies nature trail information table further below.
Personal comments
In my personal opinion, this trail is a true gem that delivers a high reward for relatively little effort, blending breathtaking coastal views with fascinating historical landmarks. You will experience shadow in certain areas but also the Akamas national forest park terrain in most of the region and views that will bring comfort and joy. The tunnel mines and furnace keeps the walker in a continuous discovery mode making you eager of what follows next. The trail is totally recommended!
Its accessibility makes it a great choice for all seasons; however, if you are visiting during the summer, I highly recommend timing your hike for the early morning to beat the heat or the late afternoon to catch a spectacular sunset over the peninsula.
For those who find the 7 km loop a bit too short, you can easily extend your adventure by combining Smigies with the nearby Pissouromoutti trail, which adds an extra 2.8 km of stunning ridgeline scenery to your trek. If you are looking to further increase the distance, you can of course combine it with Adonis and Aphrodite trail!
Smigies nature trail information table
| Description | |
| Starting points | Smigies picnic site or 35.02406, 32.33326 (link) |
| Ending point | – |
| Distance | 7 km |
| Difficulty (1 – easy, 2 – moderate, 3 – difficult) | Easy |
| Trail type | Circular |
| ETA finish time | ~ 2 hours |
| Elevation Gain/Loss | 208 metres |
| Maximum Altitude | 410 metres |
Elevation Stats
GPS map
Gallery
5 nearby trails
- Pissouromoutti nature trail
- Aphrodite nature trail
- Adonis nature trail
- Adonis and Aphrodite nature trails
- Avakas nature trail
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