THE GREAT GRAVEL TRAVERSE | 4-Day Gravel Tour

CHOOSE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Are you ready to embark on a Gravel bike adventure and explore the hidden gems of Cyprus?

Join Activate Cyprus for an unforgettable experience on undiscovered forest roads, where each ride brings new adventures, long uphills, scenic descents, refreshing snack stops by streams, and evening grill cooking. This is the true 'Spirit of Gravel' as defined by us at Activate Cyprus!

Immerse yourself in four days of thrilling riding in the pristine heart of the Troodos mountains, the farthest and most beautiful region in Cyprus. Get ready to traverse the entire Troodos mountain range, starting from Tochni village in the east, passing through Olympus, the highest peak, and continuing to the western part, the Akamas National Park area. The journey concludes at what we consider the most stunning beach, Fontana Amoroza, also known as the Blue Lagoon.

If you crave the tranquility of quiet gravel roads, enjoy challenging rides, appreciate campfires, savor barbecues, and relish in mesmerizing sunsets, then this tour is tailor-made for you. Come, and let us guide you through the best of our small paradise country.

HIGHLIGHTS

Travel across the country on the most secluded and quiet gravel paths, in only 4 days.
Enjoy the simple things in life: a bike, campfire, sunset, a cold beer and a good old barbecue.
Visit traditional villages on the way and immerse yourself in the essence of the Cyprus Culture.
Enjoy the view form the rooftop of Cyprus, Mt. Olympus.
Finish your bike ride in the most beautiful beach in Akamas, the Blue Lagoon.

FITNESS LEVEL

Advanced to Expert.
This tour requires a good fitness level, the ability to ride on consecutive days and good bike handling skills. If this description doesn’t match your skills write us an email. This tour is fully customizable to accommodate levels from beginners to experts.

BEST TOURING PERIODS

April, May, June, September, October, November, December

ACCOMMODATION

On this tour you will stay in 3* hotel accommodation and tent accommodation.
Breaksfast and dinners are included.

DAY BY DAY

Distance: 75 Km | Total Ascent: 2600 m
This adventure of a lifetime starts big off the bat. Go big or go home they say. Well, this ride will be worthy of celebration and will be a story to tell.
On the first day we’ll tackle a killer climb from Tochni to Troodos square. It starts very close to sea level and nearly reaches the peak of the country. It will most certainly be a day to remember. With a total millage of almost 75km and total ascent almost 2600m be ready to challenge your self. The views and the change of the scenery will definitely make up for the su!er of the climb.
Since this day is a tough one, we’ve decided to spoil ourselves with a comfy hotel bed and a big, authentic and delicious meal for dinner.
Distance: 70 Km | Total Ascent: 1700 m
The second day of riding is another epic one, for this trip is nothing less than a thrilling adventure. We start our ride by heading up to the Olympus peak, the highest point on the island. We’ll take a minute to enjoy the 360 degree views and the freshness of the air. We then start the major descend to Stavros tis Psokas, where we will camp for the night. While the route is largely downhill there will be many small climbs to keep us entertained!
The scenery on this ride is beautiful and serene. We will be crossing through the most pure forest of Cyprus. Keep your eyes open for spotting the Cyprus mouflon, our endemic species of a deer that is nowadays endangered and only inhabits this small section of the forest where we’ll ride.
We should be reaching Stavros tis Psokas by sunset; that ‘s another fascinating moment to experience.
With the ride summing up to around 70km and 1700m of total ascent, we are expecting to be happily tired by the time we reach Stavros.
Our support staff will be taking good care of us at the camp site this evening. They’ll have the tents built up and the charcoal "red up and ready for the night’s grilled food!
Accommodation: Tent, Stavros tis Psokas Campsite

Distance: 35 Km | Total Ascent: 340 m
This day starts with the smell of a freshly brewed coffee just outside your tent! Who said breakfast while camping cannot be really tasty?
We’ll do our best to make it one to remember. On our bikes we will be riding in the direction of the coast of Gialia (near Polis). An afternoon visit to the beach for a relaxing sea swim for some is the best option after a ride in warm weather.
The day on the bike will not be very long nor very hard just to allow us to relax and recover from the previous days as well to remind us that we are doing this mainly for fun. This evening will be spend is a tent as well, only this time around we’ll be hosted in the yard of a local Cypriot lady from Gialia. Are you ready to try the delicious local specialties, made form her in the most traditional way?
Accommodation: Tent, Gialia Private Yard
Distance: 72Km | Total Ascent: 630 m
The last day of each tour brings mixed feelings! So let's make it one more fun day! We’ll ride along the beach in Akamas Peninsula, enjoy the amazing view of the meditterranean sea. Our personal favorite view is the one we see from the high cliffs along the first gravel section as we enter Akamas! We’ll explore this protected national park for a bit before we take a break on the famous Fontana Amoroza - Blue lagoon beach, the most beautiful and isolated beach of Cyprus! Here is where you understand what turquoise sea-water really looks like!
After a well deserved pause, we continue our ride heading south. We’ll trace the coast where possible or ride through quaint inland villages at other times. Our ride ends on the outskirts of Paphos.
Cold Beers and a nice heartly meal is in store for everybody. It’s time to raise a glass to a fantastic 4 days or riding!
Later this afternoon a shuttle will be available to transport you to the start location of the tour.

What is included?

3 nights Accommodation of various levels, Services of an experienced local cycling guide, Escort Vehicle, Breakfast and Dinner, Transfer at the end of the Tour, Photos videos in digital album