Description
The Karvounarka natural trail is located in Vavatsinia village in Larnaca. The village of Vavatsinia is among the top 2 villages with the highest altitude in the countryside of Larnaca. It has two natural trails: «Karvounarka» and «Moutti tis Athasias (or Spilia tis Athasias)», which they belong into the dense and stunning forest of Machaira.
The trail is 7 km long and of moderate difficulty. The first part follows a trail into nature with rich vegetation and dense forest while the second part goes through the paved road of Vavatsinia towards Kionia. It is a circular trail with the maximum altitude reaching 1154 meters and needs around 2 hours to complete it.
If you want to extend the length of your hike then you can combine the trail Moutti tis Athasias, which is along the way of this trail. This will add you further 4.4 km to your hike.
Table of Contents
Viewpoints
The trail has several viewpoints with astonishing views. During your walk to the trail, you will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views, where to the south you will see Limassol and to the north the occupied Morphou. Midway of the first part/leg there are several benches where you can sit and enjoy the view. Additionally on the second part/leg you may enjoy the view of Machaira’s forest and the villages of Nicosia region in the background as depicted below!
Starting points
You have the option to start the trail from two locations. The GPS coordinates are provided in the section Natural trail information. Those are described below:
- At the sign post found in the road Vavatsinia – Kionia (main starting point)
- From the center of Vavatsinia’s village
The starting points are indicative. You may start your hike anywhere you choose to 🙂 !!
Personal comments
I can categorise the route into two legs. The first leg is from the sign post as found in the road of Vavatsinia to Kionia until the village of Vavatsinia and the second leg is from the village of Vavatsinia back to the starting point. The first leg is more appealing since you are into nature, under the trees following the path and enjoying the panoramic views that it offers you. The second leg still has several viewpoints but it follows the paved road from Vavatsinia to Kionia.
I hiked the trail during winter in foggy weather where a storm caught us halfway. The fog added a mystic element into nature making it even more intriguing. And when the rain started, everything became more adventurous and to be honest joyful. If you haven’t done a hike/walk when raining, you should – I totally recommend it!!! There is no such a thing as bad weather, only bad clothes! Our return from the paved road was ascending but at a fast pace since we are under the rain.
There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.
The good thing is that it was cloudy and raining of course, so the hike in the paved road was just fine! However if you intend to do it during summer or when the sun is shining you will probably need a sun lotion since you are not protected by the trees. Of course you can choose to return from the same way you began your hike or simply make it linear and end the trail at the center of Vavatsinia and definitely enjoy a good lunch from the famous restaurants of the village.
Karvounarka natural trail information
| Description | |
| Starting points | Sign post in road Vavatsinia to Kionia: 34.90586, 33.21469 (link) Vavatsinia Village: 34.89334, 33.22881 (link) |
| Ending point | – |
| Distance | 7 km |
| Difficulty (1 – easy, 2 – moderate, 3 – difficult) | 2 |
| Trail type | Circular |
| ETA finish time | ~ 2 – 2:30 hours |
| Elevation Gain/Loss | ~ 315 meters |
| Altiltude | 1154 meters |
GPS map
Blue route: Karvounarka natural trail
Yellow route: Moutti/Spilia tis Athasias natural trail
Gallery
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