Discover Gravel Cycling — The Spirit of Adventure in Cyprus
Gravel riders about to start a ride from Tochni, the Cyprus’ gravel hub
Gravel cycling is all about freedom — riding beyond the pavement, exploring scenic backroads, and discovering places that cars and crowds can’t reach. It combines the endurance of road cycling with the adventure of mountain biking, offering a balance of challenge, exploration, and fun.
And there’s no better place to experience it than Cyprus.
The island’s network of quiet dirt roads, coastal tracks, and rural trails makes it a paradise for gravel riders. You can roll past vineyards, olive groves, and timeless villages — sometimes reaching the sea and the mountains in a single day. Add in more than 300 days of sunshine, minimal traffic, and stunning scenery, and you’ve found one of Europe’s most exciting gravel destinations.
But gravel in Cyprus is more than just great riding — it’s about connecting with the island’s culture. Between rides, you can enjoy authentic Cypriot cuisine, taste local wines, and meet friendly locals in traditional villages that seem untouched by time.
For those new to gravel, Cyprus offers the perfect blend of accessibility and adventure — smooth, scenic routes, welcoming people, and a relaxed Mediterranean rhythm.
Come and discover the spirit of gravel in Cyprus — where every ride is a journey, every meal a celebration, and every moment an invitation to explore.
Click here to learn about the celebration of Gravel cycling in Cyprus, the Bedrock Gravel Festival
Gravel biking on the coast in Cyprus
A Gravel tour in Akamas
Embark on a much-anticipated gravel adventure, a dream ride for one of our passionate gravel enthusiasts. With the weather in Cyprus still delightful, making it the perfect time for a gravel expedition, planning and executing this tour became a breeze.
We commenced our journey from Peyia, parking conveniently next to the beautiful chapel of Agia Matrona. The ride kicked off immediately, fueled by our eagerness to explore off-road terrain. The breathtaking view of the sea under clear skies set the tone for an incredible journey. The terrain, mostly descending and flat until reaching the toxeftra beach, offered a relatively easy start.
As we ventured along the coast, the swift transition between the lush green forest on our right and the azure Mediterranean sea on the left made the ride truly enjoyable. Photo stops were frequent, given the consistently stunning scenery. Around 20km in, we began our ascent inland toward the Akamas Lighthouse, perched atop the westernmost hill of the island. The view from the lighthouse was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing the unique landscape where land meets sea.
The descent towards the renowned "Blue Lagoon" was thrilling but manageable, thanks to the gradual gradient. Despite the gathering clouds hindering a full appreciation of the lagoon's mesmerizing blue, the experience was unforgettable. Our ultimate destination was Arnaoutis Cape, the western tip of Cyprus. The rocky and rough terrain posed little challenge for our bikes equipped with 45mm wide tires.
A sense of accomplishment filled us as we stood at the land's end of our own country. Our next stop was Neo Chorio, where we were fortunate to find a local cafe open. Indulging in a delightful Halloumi cheese and ham sandwich, we savored the taste of local flavors.
The return journey to the starting point involved a long uphill stretch of approximately 12km, with manageable grades of 4-6% steepness. A challenging 1km section tested our fatigued legs, but the reward was the panoramic view from the forest heart to the hilltop, offering vistas of the Mediterranean sea on both sides of the peninsula.
As the weather changed and a chill set in, we pedaled faster to warm up, relishing the descents at high speed. The perfect culmination to an outstanding gravel ride was a fast descent, facing the hills of Akamas, and witnessing what is often hailed as the most incredible sunset in Cyprus.
Mike with Jeroen, Luca and Nestor!
