The Atalanti is a sprawling 13.7 km circular trail in the high Troodos Mountains that loops around Mount Olympus (1,952 metres), Cyprus's highest peak, through remarkably flat, well-marked forest terrain without steep sections or serious technical difficulty. This moderately paced, immersive 4-hour walk winds through a diverse forest of ancient pines, cedars, and foetid junipers, including an extraordinary 800-year-old juniper tree, and passes an abandoned chromite mine that adds a layer of industrial history to the mountain landscape. The most beautiful vistas open on the northern side (around the 8 km mark) as the route turns westward, offering sweeping views of the valleys below. It is an excellent choice if you want an extended, forested mountain circuit with manageable grades and a genuine sense of wilderness solitude.
The trail's relative flatness makes it surprisingly approachable for a high-altitude loop, though the length means you will want good fitness and to start early. The forest provides consistent shade, which is essential during summer months, and water sources appear around the 3 km mark. The chromite mine, operational during the 1950s–80s, serves as a tangible reminder of Cyprus's extractive heritage.
Best visited in spring or autumn when temperatures are moderate. Summer hikers should start at dawn or late afternoon to maximize comfort.
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