5BFF - 0004
Athalassa National Forest Park
It is situated south of Nicosia and it is surrounded by the suburbs of Aglantzia, Strovolos and Latsia. Apart from its major role as a green place/ area it also provides other similar facilities such as recreation, aesthetics, exercise, environmental education/training etc.
The park has two picnic areas, roads, bicycle tracks, pedestrian lanes, sports grounds, parking places, an Environmental Information Centre, a bird observation point at the Athalassa Dam, botanical garden, dog walking path etc.
It cavers an area of 840 hectares. A forestation began in 1904 with the planting of various forest species, mainly from abroad. Over 500 trees, shrubs and herbs have been recorded in the area, 12 of which are endemic. At Athalassa N.F.P. a network of trails has been created covering 20 kms.
Of particular interest is the Agios Georgios park with its small picturesque lake and the perimetric path surrounding it which is lit at night.
Trails
1. Agios Georgios (Circular)
Starting Point: Two parking lots. The trail goes round the banks of the small reservoir of the same name. Length: 2kms. Time: 1 hour Points of interest: Picnic area and reservoir.
2. Agios Georgios - Botanical Gardens
Starting point: A point on the south side of the Agios Georgios reservoir. Length: 2.5 kms Time: 1 hour Points of interest: Botanical Gardens next to the Forest Nursery which opens Monday- Friday: 07:30- 14:30
3. Botanical Gardens - Picnic area at SW Entrance
Starting Point: Botanical Gardens Length: 2.2 kms Time: 1 hour Points of interest: A route among pine, eucalyptus trees, cypresses and acacias. A picnic area next to Athalassa reservoir with volleyball and basketball courts.
4. Athalassa Reservoir (Circular)
Starting point: Picnic area at NW entrance Length: 2.2 kms Time: 1 hour Points of interest: A walk around the reservoir. Observation point for hybrid birds.
5. Picnic area at NW Entrance - Park of Nations
Starting Point: NW Entrance of Picnic area (4 different routes) Length: 2.5 kms Time: 1 hour
Points of interest: Park of Nations where Foreign Heads of States visiting Cyprus plant trees in remembrance of their visits.
6. Park of Nations - Agios Georgios
Starting point: Park of Nations Length: 2.5 kms Time: 1 hour The 6 walks described above are part of a circular walk, the starting point of which is either the Agios Georgios picnic area, or that at the SE entrance near Latsia. Length: 10.5 kms Time: 4 hours.
7. NW Entrance PIc-n1c area - Agios Georgios
Starting Point: NW picnic area The two picnic areas are linked by a third walk, which goes past the Athalassa reservoir and entrance 1. Length: 4 kms Time: 2 hours |
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