Artemis Trail

Stacy and rented a car, which petrified both of us since they drive on the wrong side of the road. After filling out the contract for the rental, Stacy promptly walked to the passenger side and I the driver’s side only to realize that we were on the American side of each, forcing both of us to look up at each other and smile, then to switch sides of the car.

We set out to hike the Artemis Trail, which hugs the Turkish side of Cyprus. Artemis, twin son of Apollo and God of the forests and all wild things. Cyprus consistently puts a lot of thought into every named thing and takes the time to explain why they did so. To me, this is how an art museum can make a piece of art so much more by knowing its story. It’s a beautiful 7km hike which perfectly follows a contour making the hike as flat as a lake.

It was surprisingly cold, in fact, it snowed one inch the night before, and was only a high of 40°. Many of the trees were frost covered and would rain icicles down on us with each gust of wind. There is even a ski slope here which impresses me since the locals describe the summers as unbearably hot.

Along the hike we came across Stinking Junipers which can live upwards of 1500 years!! There was also a 500 hundred year old Black Pine Tree. Amazing to think that shortly after Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, this pine tree was born. Our drive was mostly uneventful, though you wouldn’t know it based on Stacy’s reaction. If you simply watched her expression you would think it was a never ending reeling NASCAR wrecks. Definitely recommend Cyprus hiking.Read more