Tripylos, Cedar Valley, Cyprus
Tripylos is the highest mountain in the Paphos forest and the west part of Cyprus. One can reach it either from Stavros tis Psokas or, as we did, from near Pano Panagia. While no more than 300 height meters are required to reach the 1362 m high top, one shouldn't forget the heat of a sunny Cyprus day - bring water. The hike is straightforward, along a gently sloping dirt track closed for vehicles (apart from the fire lookout personnel, I'd presume). What's special about this hike are the Cedar trees. The Cyprus Cedar is indigenous and can only be found in the Tripylos area. The same holds for a modest little flower called Arabis kennedyae, only found on a section of the northern slope of the mountain. Both are especially protected by the Forestry Department. The views over the Paphos forest are worth the while - at the top there is a nice shaded picnic bench (again, don't underestimate the role of shade at Cyprus).