The first stop on an excursion in the Akamas Peninsula National Park is usually the Baths of Aphrodite, a grotto where, legend has it, the goddess Aphrodite loved to bathe. Next is a sojourn through the adjoining botanical garden, which features neatly-labelled samples of the flora you are likely to encounter in the nature preserve. But to really appreciate the beauty of the park, step onto the Aphrodite Trail, which starts just next to the grotto. The full 7.5-kilometre loop takes 3-4 hours to complete, though many hikers take just a portion of it. It is recommended to start on the northern part of the trail, following the coastline in a north-westerly direction, as the ascent is steeper starting in the other direction. On this leg of the trail, you will pass herds of goats and take in the blue waters of Chrysochou Bay. In the spring, enjoy abundant wildflowers here—including hundreds of cyclamens growing in fields and rocky crevices. Watch for the turn off the coastal road to continue the rest of the loop (if you want to avoid a strenuous climb, head back to the point of origin now). The path climbs high onto the mountain, affording hikers a panoramic vista across the entire peninsula. As you descend, enjoy passing through groves of Phoenician junipers as you survey the surrounding forest. Be sure to take a trail map, plenty of water, and a camera to record the stunning views.
