Avakas Gorge

Avakas Gorge (Greek: Φαραγγι Αβακα) is a popular hiking destination in the Paphos district of Cyprus.

Understand
The Avgas River has carved a path through the limestone over millions of years on its way from the southern slope of the Akamas Peninsula to the coast, creating a deep canyon-like gorge. The catchment area on the heights of the Akamas is a fertile basin, the small river then enters the gorge and runs for 3 km through the canyon, which is only 2–3 m wide at its narrowest point; it is pleasantly cool here even in summer, as no direct sunlight can reach the bottom of the gorge. From the lower exit of the canyon, the small river reaches the coast after a kilometre.

The Avakas Gorge is a popular hiking destination in the west of Cyprus and is also popular with "jeep safaris", although the gravel road to the car park at the entrance to the gorge can be covered by a normal car without any major problems. The gorge itself can only be crossed on foot, good weather conditions are a prerequisite. After rain showers and in the spring months, the crossing can be dangerous when the water level is high and the gorge path is then closed.

History
As part of the Natura 2000 programme, the grove of Phoenician juniper at the gorge's entrancewas placed under protection.

Landscape
The river Avgas, which carries water all year round (although little in late summer), has carved a deep canyon into the agriculturally used high plateaux of the southern Akamas. On both sides are lightly wooded agricultural areas, so the canyon can be bypassed. The basin above the entrance of the canyon with fertile land is cultivated from above from the village Pano Arodes.

Flora and fauna
In the depths of the canyon, vegetation is sparse, with shrubs and some pines growing on the partly rocky walls, which are eaten by goats. In one place, dripstone formations have formed on the canyon wall.

The gorge is home to the locally endemic Centaurea akamatis, this species of cornflower with a lilac-purple flower and light foliage only occurs here on the rock faces; in 2010 the occurrence was placed under protection.

At the entrance to the gorge, there is a protected area with a grove of Juniperus phoenicus, the occurrence of Phoenician juniper trees is under a European protection programme.

In the spring months, on the plateaux on both sides of the gorge, one can see the white-flowered branched asphodel and white, pink and purple crown anemones, sporadic orchids from the Ophrys group (Ragworts). The striped arum and the Cypriot spurge also grow in spring; on the roadsides the lemon yellow wood sorrel and the yellow-flowered meadow daisy Chrysanthemum coronarium. In late summer, sea onion blooms and in autumn, cyclamen and meadow saffron can be found.

Climate
In the winter months, especially after heavy rain, the level of the river in the narrow canyon rises, the gorge becomes impassable and the path is then usually closed. In the late summer and autumn months, on the other hand, it is possible to pass through the gorge on dry feet; the stream can then be crossed without any problems on stepping stones.

Get in
On the gravel road at Agios Georgios Pegeias into the Akamas, you will find ahikers' car park, which is 1 km from the gorge's entrance. On a gravel road past the taverna Viklari Peyia you can also get to the car park without an off-road vehicle.

Also, the can be reached from Pano Arodes on a gravel road using vehicles with reasonably good clearance; the Nature Trail is not signposted as a loop trail, so you could be picked up at the North Access (or hike back through the gorge or by circling it).

Fees and permits
There are no fees or permits required.

Get around
The hike through the gorge is only possible on foot.

Hike
A popular hike in the area of the southern Akamas Peninsula is hiking through the gorge. The gorge, actually a narrow canyon deeply gouged by a stream, is so deep that practically no direct sunlight reaches the bottom of the gorge. In the drier months, the hike is relatively easy; the stream is then only a small trickle that can easily be jumped over or crossed on stepping stones. In the spring months and especially after one or two rainy days, the water flow of the stream can increase to such an extent that the passage becomes challenging or the route has to be closed completely for safety reasons.

You can either do just the most challenging passage through the gorge, and then turn back when the gorge widens, or plan a round trip as a tight day hike.

From the at Akamas slope, you can drive to the parking directly in front of the gorge entrance if you're not planning a return-trip. Otherwise, it is better to take the dirt road that branches off to the right of the track. At two points the narrowing path crosses the stream bed (in spring and after rainfall you balance over stepping stones), then you reach a field path again, on which you go straight to the second carpark. From the starting point, you have travelled 1 km.

After an information board, continue along the path closed off with a chain, past the sign warning of the danger of falling rocks. The valley floor and the slopes are covered with Juniperus phoenicea, Phoenician juniper. The valley narrows, the Centaurea akamtis grows on the soon steeper rocks. The Akamas knapweed is endemic (it's only found in Cyprus, it has light green-silver shimmering leaves and flowers purple-red).

Soon the gorge narrows and its width can almost be measured with outstretched arms. Here, sunlight does not reach the bottom of the gorge; the path leads along the watercourse over sometimes somewhat slippery rocks. In a place with dripping water, stalactite formations have formed over thousands of years. The valley widens after 500 metres, here trees can grow again, sometimes goats eat tree buds and sparse grass at the edge of the gorge.

The valley widens, rock barriers or larger boulders are bypassed sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left bank. After a kilometre you come to a rusty truck trailer that fell into the gorge years ago, a bench follows and after 500 metres, a concrete survey cone with the number 48. After about 200 m, the path turns right, away from the stream and climbs steps to exit.

Return via Lara: just before the benches, take a footpath that crosses the stream and heads north past goat stables to the Pano–Arodes–'Lara track. At the junction with the track, walk towards Lara. From above a rock cliff, you can look down into the Avakas Gorge again.

Passing two goat stables on the right, the track leads through increasingly light forest terrain in a north-westerly direction. After two junctions to the right, it makes a pointed bend; after 600 m, there is a right turn and then the track only heads west towards the coast. The 2.3 km drag on a bit until you reach the gravel track of the Lara Road, the track into the Akamas Peninsula. From the junction with, 2.7 km of dusty track takes you back to the hikers' car park at the starting point.

If you still have enough energy and are willing to take a small diversions, cross the track and take the track on the other side of the road to. Shortly before the car park and the Lara Café, a dusty path leads through the undergrowth near the shore and here you can walk south along Ina Beach to. At the south end of Toxeftra Beach, you will quickly reach the car park.

 South return trail: From the benches at the gorge exit, follow the gravel road east to reach the parking area at the east access of the nature trail. Here, take the gravel road to the right and after a few goat stables, turn right onto a dirt road that soon becomes grassy. At its end, near the southern cliff, a footpath leads through pastureland with white-flowered asphodel and sparse woodland, more or less recognisable it follows the whole cliff south of Avakas Gorge, from several places there are fine views into the gorge. At a bend, the gravel road descends to the car park at the western entrance to the gorge is reached. If you like, you can shorten the last bends on a narrow path that leads past the water tank down to the toilet facilities at the car park.

Sleep
The nearest accommodation can be found in Pegeia and Paphos.

Safety
In spring and especially after heavy rainfall, the level of the river can rise sharply, the gorge is then impassable and the path is closed. There is also a risk of falling rocks, especially after rainfall, and grazing goats can sometimes kick loose debris.