Chorteri

Chorteri Trail is a moderate 4.6km loop through pristine Paphas Forest, ascending to Chorteri peak at 1,290 meters with spectacular 360-degree ridge panoramas. Located just meters from Stavros tis Psokas forest station near Kykkos, this 1.5–2 hour hike offers deep solitude in untamed forest terrain with strategic benches and viewpoints overlooking the Stavros Valley below. The nearby Mouflon Enclosure provides free wildlife viewing, and hikers experience the raw, isolated character of one of Cyprus's most remote mountain regions.

The trail begins near Stavros tis Psokas, the administrative heart of Paphas Forest – one of Europe's largest contiguous pine forests, stretching across 70,000 hectares from sea level to 1,350 meters elevation. From the starting point, the path ascends through dense pine forest toward the Chorteri peak. The forest character here remains largely unchanged from centuries past – a monoculture of Aleppo pine and Black pine with minimal understory development, creating an austere, somewhat sparse aesthetic. Unlike more lush forests, Paphas Forest's open floor and soaring canopy create a distinctive Mediterranean mountain forest atmosphere.

As elevation increases and the trail nears the Chorteri peak, the landscape transitions and opens. The final approach to the summit features more open terrain with panoramic views developing progressively. At 1,290 meters elevation, the Chorteri peak offers spectacular 360-degree vistas – hikers can see the entire Paphas Forest region, views toward the coast, and across the Troodos mountains toward other peaks. Strategic benches positioned at viewpoints allow extended contemplation of the dramatic landscape. The Deep Stavros Valley below creates a sense of isolation and remoteness, while the Mouflon Enclosure (featuring free access to view the island's endemic wild sheep) provides wildlife viewing opportunities without disturbing natural behavior. Few trails in Cyprus offer such a combination of solitude, panoramic elevation gain, raw mountain character, and authentic forest experience.