Troodos Geopark - Atalante Geo-Trail

Atalante Geo-Trail

Length	14km - circular
Duration	5 hours
Degree of Difficulty	2
Highest - Lowest Altitude	1820m- 1720 m
General Description	Some changes of gradient (uphill/downhill)
Starting Point	*Troodos Square*
Most suitable period	April - October
Points to watch	Minor risk of slipping
Drinking water en route	Yes

Information and Map

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DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE

The trail is named after the mythological Atalanta, a proud huntress and runner,

protégée of the Goddess Artemis. The route circles around Mount Olympus

(Chionistra) at a lower altitude than the Artemis Trail and passes through dense

thickets of black pine (pinus nigra) and Troodos juniper. One of them is a huge

800-year-old juniper tree.

On the trail you will find information signs about the plants, shrubs and trees

of the mountain range and characteristic rocks of the Troodos ophiolite

complex. The trail does not feature any particularly difficult slopes but you need

to take care because at certain points along the trail there are projecting stones. sticking out. You will enjoy a beautiful view in the direction of the villages of the Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia districts.

At a distance of 3km from the starting point there is a spring with drinking water and wooden benches to rest on. After 9km, the route reaches the main Troodos-Prodromos road. To continue, cross the main road and walk for about 200m on the Chromium Mine houses forest track in the direction of the church of Saint Nicholas of the Roof. There you will come across a wooden sign pointing out the direction of the trail which continues almost parallel to the main road to take you back to the Square. The trail is inside the Troodos National Forest Park which is a NATURA 2000 area.

GEOLOGY

The main rocks in the broader area are harzburgite, in which small pods of dunite are found. Harzburgite belongs to the rocks of the Mantle sequence. It is truly impressive, not only from an aesthetic standpoint but also scientifically speaking, that walking on the highest point of the Troodos range is like walking on rocks belonging to the Earth’s Upper Mantle, which began forming at a depth of approximately 60km beneath the Tethys ocean floor some 92 million years ago. This is something that you will find in very few places around the world.

SERVICES

In Troodos Square there are shops, restaurants, public toilets and hotels. Near the Square is the Environmental Information Centre, open daily to the public.

Best practices for walkers:

Stay on the signposted paths on the nature trails so as to reduce the risk of treading on small plants and saplings.
Avoid smoking and eating when walking on the nature trails.
Don’t make unnecessary noise. Respect the peace and quiet of others and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Place your rubbish in the available waste bins or, better still, take it with you.
Make use of the special camping areas with facilities for visitors.
Don’t cut the branches of trees or shrubs; don’t cut or uproot plants; don’t carve tree bark.
It is forbidden to ride motorcycles or bicycles on the nature trails.
The lighting of fires in any area of the forest, even on roads and in squares, is strictly forbidden. Fires are allowed ONLY in specific areas for barbecues.
Call the Department of Forests on 1407 (Freephone, 24 hours a day) if you see fire or smoke.
Remember that we are all guests in the forest. Respect the wildlife of the forest and enjoy the pleasure it offers in a responsible manner.

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