Μονοπάτι Φαράγγι Άβακα

Avakas Gorge Trail

Useful Information

Location:	Avakas Gorge Rd, Peyia 8570. (34.9205942, 32.3378153)
Open:	no restrictions. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Gorge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=2.4 km, D=45 minutes.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Avakas Gorge Trail, Avakas Gorge Rd, Peyia 8570. Forestry Department, Tel: +357-2280-5511, Tel: +357-2280-1407,
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Μονοπάτι Φαράγγι Άβακα (Avakas Gorge Trail) is a rather rough trail through a narrow gorge. From the trailhead at the car park the trail follows the course of the Avgas River, after which the gorge was named. As the river never runs dry, it is essential to have walking shoes suitable for walking in water. However, the water is typically only 10 to 20 cm deep. During rainy periods in winter it may be flooded and not accessible though.

The first section is a dirt road and the valley is rather open. After about 800 m the valley narrows, and the gorge is only a few meters wide. This is the place where the trail follows the riverbed. At the end of this narrow section, after about 1.2 km it is possible to walk back the same route or to follow the widening valley further uphill. At about 2.5 km the trail turns right and returns across the hill to the car park. The short route in 2.4 km in total and takes about 45 minutes. The long route is about 4.8 km long and has a much higher elevation gain, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. But it offers great views across the gorge and the sea.

Kalksandstein The rocks here consist mostly of limestone, reef limestone, sandstone and chalk. But it contains also clay and bentonite. The gorge was formed by the erosion by the water, which cut fast and deep into the rather soft rocks.

The gorge is a Natura 2000 area. Typical plants are lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus), thorny broom (Calycotome villosa), common smilax (Smilax aspera), oleander (Nerium oleander), storax (Styrax officinalis), and the endemic endangered Akamas centaury (Centaurea akamantis). The fauna includes fox, hare, hedgehog, partridge, little owl, kestrel, and wild pigeon. Endemic birds of the area are Cyprus wheatear, Cyprus warbler, and scops owl. There are also numerous amphibians like marsh frog, iridescent frog, and tree frog.