Avakas Gorge in Cyprus. Trekking through the canyon and Lara beach 20 km from Paphos

• The Avakas Gorge lies on the Akamas Peninsula, in the western part of the island
• The gorge is 3 km long, but the trail is about 1.2 km long
• Shortly after the rainfall, the stream significantly fills the bottom and hinders wandering
• Access is difficult, the last kilometer is a terrain and uneven road, without asphalt
• Admission and free parking

Avakas Gorge, also known as Avakas Gorge, is one of the most beautiful places we have visited in Cyprus. It is located in the western part of the island, on the beautiful Akamas peninsula. This picturesque 3-kilometre-long canyon was carved in bright limestone by the Avgas River. It attracts tourists with its natural beauty and unforgettable trekking.

Access to Avakas Gorge and parking

Getting to the ravine can be a bit difficult, especially after rainfall. To the end, there is no asphalt road, only an off-road road, quite uneven. It is 22 km from Paphos, but the car ride from this city will take about 40 minutes. You need to get to the village of Agios Georgios, and then turn into the narrow road indicated according to the Akamas peninsula sign.The asphalt ends near the beach and the White River restaurant. For the easiest way to get here, it is worth entering "Avakas Gorge" in the GPS application. At the entrance to the ravine there is a free car park, large enough that there should be no problem with access.

Trekking through Avakas Canyon

Trekking through the Avakas Gorge is a fantastic adventure that I highly recommend to you. The entire canyon is about 3 km long, but the popular trail (Avakas Gorge Nature Trail) runs for about 1.2 km in one direction, after which it is best to return along the same route. For the first kilometer, the ravine is wide, it gets tighter and harder. This hike takes about 1 hour in both directions, although it depends on how fit you are and how long you want to enjoy these views. We hurried to the sunset near the Edro III wreck, we also crossed the trail quite quickly.

However, I recommend caution, because the bottom is a stream and the stones are really slippery. The further away, the more demanding the hike becomes and at times you have to jump over the stream and go through larger boulders. On the other hand, the view of bright, almost white rocks, building cliffs protruding to a height of up to 30 meters, is amazing against the blue sky. In places, the rock walls narrow to just 2 meters wide, which creates an amazing effect and atmosphere. In addition, in such a narrowing above the head, you can see a huge boulder stuck in the gap. It looks fantastic.

Attention! Shortly after the rainfall, the stream becomes gusty and can fill the ravine with water to such a level that it will be impossible to cross. We walked on dry foot, although at times we had to combine to choose the right path. This trekking was the most difficult on the island, but it's an interesting adventure.

Practical information

• For trekking, take comfortable shoes with good soles, because the stones are slippery
• When hiking, it's easy to get your shoes wet, so if it's cooler, it's a good idea to keep your shoes in the car for a change
• Take water with you, because there is no possibility to buy it in the ravine itself
• If you plan to walk longer, snacks will also come in handy
• The gorge is open to the public, without tickets
• The trail is for physically fit people, older people and small children may have problems, it is also not accessible for wheelchairs

Interesting facts about Avakas Gorge

• The name of the ravine comes from the Avgas River, which flows through it. The word from the Greek means "egg", because these are the breeding grounds of birds. Once upon a time, men living on an island had to steal these eggs from birds. The first time as a kind of passage and ritual to prove your bravery. And once they showed up and became men, they had to do it regularly from then on to feed the family. They don't do that anymore today.
• At the beginning of the trail, near the parking lot, you will find a huge olive tree trunk that is 800 years old!
• Canyon-building limestones formed at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea and hide selenite crystals
• The gorge area is covered by the Natura 2000 program, it is a refuge of rare plants, including endemic orchids and figs, as well as valuable bird species, such as eagles

Avakas Gorge is impressive and truly captivates with its beauty. It is an ideal place for lovers of nature and trekking. Take it into account when exploring Cyprus. I am very happy that we were able to visit this canyon, because the stunning Samaria Gorge in Crete was inaccessible to us due to snowmelt. This Greek island, on the other hand, revealed wonderful beaches, like Balos.

Lara Beach with turtle nests

Lara Beach, or Lara Bay or Lara Beach, is located near the canyon and is famous for its Green Turtles and Carreta. These are huge reptiles with a shell reaching up to 140 cm. These turtles lay eggs on the beach from May to August, and the young usually hatch by the end of October. The nests are marked on the beaches and, of course, require our special care not to endanger the young. The place is secluded, intimate and beautiful. Only the gravel road leads here.

Other Cyprus attractions: Paphos, wreck, Adventure Trail and more

• The wreck of the Edro III - the ship sank on December 7, 2011, they wanted to tow it, but it was a problem and it just stayed that way. It is a unique setting for sunset
• Paphos - a tourist city with a promenade, ancient ruins and ancient tombs
• Aphrodite Baths and AphroditeNature Trail - interesting attractions of the Akamas Peninsula and another fantastic place for trekking, very scenic
• Cape Greco - a wild and very scenic cape on the south-east coast of Cyprus
• Ayia Napa with the Rock Bridge of Love, a popular attraction in Cyprus
• Aphrodite's Rock- the most beautiful corner of Cyprus, where the goddess of love was born
• Troodos Mountains - a mountain range with the highest peak of Cyprus, Olimbos, also known as Olympus

Accommodation in Cyprus

When we were in Cyprus, we slept in Paphos, at the Nereus Hotel. It looks very nice, it is large and very decent for its reasonable price. It provides a tasty breakfast. The room includes everything you need, a bed, a wardrobe, a desk, a chair and armchair, as well as a kettle with a set of coffees and teas. And, of course, a private bathroom. There is also air conditioning. We ordered the hotel in advance by booking, it cost about PLN 250 per night per room. We had to pay only a few days before leaving for Cyprus.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Rent a car

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What's worth seeing in the area?

You don't have to travel far to find more interesting places. Within a radius of 100 kilometers, there are many attractions waiting for you that will certainly enrich your stay Your trip with additional memories.

• Cypriot cuisine, distance: 4  km
• Wreck of the Edro III ship in Cyprus, distance: 5.3  km
• Aphrodite Baths and Aphrodite Trail in Cyprus, distance: 15.1  km
• Paphos Cyprus, distance: 19.6  km
• Cyprus, distance: 19.6  km
• Aphrodite's Rock in Cyprus, distance: 38.9  km
• Troodos Mountains Cyprus, distance: 48.2  km