The first week of February happened to be the coldest since we came to Cyprus in November. The piercing wind combined with bouts of torrential rain are hardly associated with Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Alas, a small grotto shaded by an old fig tree, in the waters of which, as ancient legend has it, Aphrodite used to bathe, failed to impress.
It might be magical in summer, but in winter, it looked dreary.
We were ready to leave when an unexpected melodic sound caught our attention. Curiosity, the bane of any traveler’s existence, led us up the path to small gates.
The goat feast! Wow, it was quite a sight. Goats of all shapes, colors and sizes were busy with snacking on Phoenician juniper berries. Have you listened to their bells? Altogether, they sound like a small orchestra. So smooth and musical.
Follow the goats. On a wet day, it could be dangerous advice. Even in hiking boots, we could not match them. While I was huffing and puffing on the trail, goats effortlessly moved up and down in most treacherous spots.
Ultimately, we had to stop. The rocks became too slippery and the day was rapidly coming to an end. Negotiating rocky trails of Cypriot hills in the dark is a terrible idea. Hence, we parted ways with our accidental companions and went back to civilization.
Practical advice:
- There 2 trails that begin from the Baths of Aphrodite: Adonis trail and Aphrodite trail. I would recommend wearing hiking boots, especially if, like us, you decide to wander into the wild.
- Take plenty of water with you. Especially, during hot summer months.
- Be aware of surroundings. The area is pretty wild and it is fairly easy to get lost.
- If you haven’t done it yet, download a map app on your smartphone. Beware that the internet connection could be a problem so you would have to use offline mode. Alternatively, take a picture of the map located at the entrance to the Baths. It will give you.
- Parts of the trail(s) might be not suitable for small children
- Enjoy your hike!
More photo evidence from our little Cyprus adventure:
Baths of Aphrodite and the trails map:
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Sounds like a fun hike … will keep it in mind when I go to Cyprus!
Thank you, Alanna. It was a great hike 🙂
I loved reading this and checking out your pictures, Elena. Also, it’s pretty funny that they had to warn against climbing the tree because that has to mean someone did it and either damaged them and got hurt. Hopefully not too badly though.
Anyway, man that’s a lot of goats! I would’ve loved walking around Cyprus with all that green and blue around. I bet you must’ve loved it there. Thanks for sharing this truly wonderful place!
Thank you, Duke. Cyprus was an interesting adventure. Sometimes funny, sometimes unexpected. Overall, it is a great place to explore offseason.
I don’t know how goats do it, but it’s almost impossible to follow them even if it isn’t wet 🙂
So true 🙂
That’s too bad about the disappointing bath, but the hike and the goats sound like it was worth it still! Must’ve been quite the adventure in itself following those nimble goats 🙂 Thanks for sharing this post and including the practical advice at the end!
I want to go on a hike with goats! It looks amazing! And great tips too re the hiking boots, maps and water. And I think I’d rather be there in winter than we people flocking to look at a pool of dirty water! But i’m sure, like you said – it probably looks magical in summer!
Loved your photos’s and the goats. what a hoot hiking with the goats. There trails like pretty steep and slippery but i bet it was a great experience. As for the pool yes it does look better in summer, still i bet lots of tourists flock to it weather it be summer or winter. Great tips at the end of the article
Thank you, Mark 🙂
Sounds like a great hike! I really like your photos. Goats do so well in the rocks, it always surprise me!
Thank you, Eloise :). The goats were unbelievable. It was impossible to capture most of their stunts without breaking neck though ;(