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CyprusWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Avakas Gorge or canyon (Avakas Gorge, also Avakas Gorge) - this is one of the most spectacular natural attractions around Paphos and some tourists and locals even prefer it in comparison with the hyped Peninsula and the Akamas nature reserve. It was formed as the bed of the river that flowed here earlier, which, like a knife in butter for many millennia, cut a deep crack in the soft rock, forming a gorge with amazing rock formations up to 150 meters high, and this is nothing less than the height of a fifty-story house! In some places, overhanging rocks almost hide the sky.
Formally, the avakas Gorge is part of the Akamas Nature Reserve, but it is not located on the Akamas peninsula itself. Therefore, if you plan to visit the Akamas hiking trails and the gorge at the same time, keep in mind that the entrance to them is located in completely different places at a distance of more than 30 kilometers along the road from each other. For one trip during the day it will not be easy to visit them, it is better to divide the visit into two days.
Visiting the gorge involves a walk along its bottom for several hours. Here now flows a stream (the remains of the river), and usually the bottom of the gorge is wet, sometimes you have to go in the water. Consider this when choosing shoes: ideally, you should take quick-drying sneakers here, some prefer to go through the "wet" part of the way barefoot. In some places you will have to overcome large stones and climb over fallen trees, but in general the route is very simple, even elderly people overcome it.
At the same time, being in the gorge is considered dangerous because of the possibility of a sharp rise in water during heavy rains, and because of the possible fall of stones. It is not recommended to go here with children, although there is no direct ban.
Depending on your desire and physical condition, you can walk along the gorge one and a half to two kilometers (about an hour in time) and return back. And you can go even further to the end of the gorge 3 and a half kilometers, go up, and go back to the beginning of the already trembling road along it. There is also a completely crazy route through the gorge and then through the mountains to the village of Pano Arodes with a length of more than 8 kilometers. Overcoming the latter will not be difficult for anyone, but you will need a lot of strength, sunscreen, a hat, and a lot of drinking water. Upon completion, from the village of Pano Arodes back to Paphos, you can hoot by bus.
🕐 Working hours
around the clock, it is better to visit in summer (less water in the gorge), and preferably in the morning, while it is not too hot.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
free.
🚶 How to get there
the gorge is 22 kilometers from the center of Paphos (avakas gorge on the map. You can get here by bus or rented transport. If you want to go the full route to the village of Pano Arodes, it is better to come by bus, and then leave the village on another route, going along the main road:
- By car. By car you can get almost to the entrance to the canyon, but you have to go on a dirt road. Follow the Navigator or signs until you come to the end of the road and a conditional barrier, after which you can no longer drive. There will be a large free parking area. Then you will need to walk another 500 meters (15-30 minutes) before the start of the route.
- By bus. You will not reach the entrance directly, you will need to walk another 3 kilometers. First, from Paphos, take the bus number 615 and go to the terminal in Coral Bay (see bus schedule and route 615. There you will need to change to bus number 616 (see schedule and Route No. 616), and ride it almost to the end. From there to the entrance to the gorge on foot 3 kilometers. Bus travel costs 1.5 euros, or you can buy a day pass for 5 euros.
Also see options for excursions in Paphos that can be booked online: