Beşparmak Trail Stages 1-9

Beşparmak Trail Stages 1-9

Beşparmak Trail - peaceful and beautiful. North Cyprus has begun to establish itself as one of the best walking holiday destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Many areas of the island, and especially those associated with the Kyrenia Mountains, are now quite well explored and subsequently many excellent walking and hiking tracks have been established over the last few years.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in North Cyprus, settle in the hotel.

Stop At: Riviera Beach Bungalows, NESET IKIZ STREET 15, KARAOGLANOGLU, GIRNE, Kyrenia 0090
The trip begins upon check in to the hotel. If your flight comes in early during the day, in the afternoon you might want to discover the beautiful town of Kyrenia. In the evening you will be met by our agent who will explain to you about the trail and give you information and maps.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Riviera Beach Bungalows 3 stars hotel

Day 2: Stage 1: Cape Kormakitis/Koruçam - Koruçam Village 16 km

Stop At: Cape kormakitis, Sadrazamköy Bld., Sadrazamköy 99440
Cape Kormakitis/Koruçam - Koruçam Village 16 km. The trail starts at the lighthouse and goes along the shoreline for about 3 to 4 km. This is a walk on a rough path that appears to be the remains of volcanic red rock. It then climbs up to the village of Sadrazamkoy into the low western ridge of the Kyrenia mountains. After a strenuous climb along a goat path for about 3 km, it turns into a nice level walk at the end entering the village of Korucam.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Payt Tel Ruso Guesthouse. Kormakitis

Day 3: Stage 2: Korucam (Kormakitis) - Lapta, 20.9 km

Stop At: Kormakitis, Kormakitis, Kyrenia District
Korucam (Kormakitis) - Lapta, 20.9 km. This stimulating walk takes you along a ridge where you will not only see nature: pine forest, meadows, terraced olive groves but you will be able to meet history: both old and new. Climbing the mountain, you will enjoy fantastic views over the sea and of the Troodos Mountains.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Riviera Beach Bungalows 3 stars hotel

Day 4: Stage 3: Lapta - Karaman, 13 km

Stop At: Lapta, Lapta, Kyrenia District
Lapta - Karaman, 13 km. This day you will skirt around the edge of the village of Alsancak, then pass through Malatya and Ilgaz villages. The trail is mostly downhill but beware of the steep gradients, loose gravel and eroded paths. Eventually, you reach your destination in the village of Karmi.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Riviera Beach Bungalows 3 stars hotel

Day 5: Stage 4: Karaman - Nicosia by pass, 9.2 km (with an optional visit to St.Hilarion castle).

Stop At: Karmi, Karmi, Kyrenia District
Karaman - Nicosia bypass, 9.2 km. On this day you will leave the charming village of Karmi. The strenuous climb is rewarded with a fascinating experience of nature. Finally, you arrive at the majestic crusader castle of St. Hilarion!
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Riviera Beach Bungalows 3 stars hotel

Day 6: Stage 5: Nicosia by pass - Bellapais, 12.7 km

Stop At: Kyrenia Mountains, Beylerbeyi 99320
Nicosia bypass - Bellapais, 12.7 km. This is quite a hilly day. The climb to the southern side of the mountain range begins above the picnic area and leads to an overgrown plateau with a gorgeous view of Kyrenia and the sea. After crossing the mountain ridge the trail goes down the forested northern side to Bellapais village.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Ambelia Village

Day 7: Stage 6: Bellapais - Buffavento Restaurant, 18 km

Stop At: Bellapais, Bellapais, Kyrenia District
Bellapais - Buffavento Restaurant. 18 km (with an optional visit to Buffavento castle). This is a day with a lot of uphills, especially the first 4 km. You will go through wooded valley, meadow, shady pine forests and some fascinating rock formations. You will also follow a path from where you can see two huge flags sculpted in the mountainside above the village of Taskent.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Ambelia Village

Day 8: Stage 7: Buffavento Restaurant - Alevkaya Forestry Station, 10 km

Stop At: Buffavento Castle, Buffavento Mountain, Kyrenia Cyprus
Buffavento Restaurant - Alevkaya Forestry Station, 10 km. The prominent 750-meter high mountain resembling a clenched fist rises above the sea. Today’s hike goes further eastwards along this legendary mountain towards the Alevkaya picnic area. Green pines, dark cypresses and red-stemmed Arbutus trees (wild strawberries) grow along the path and form a roof canopy until you reach the abandoned Armenian monastery of Sourp Magar.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Sinya Guest House

Day 9: Stage 8: Alevkaya Forestry Station - Antiphonitis church, 12.4 km

Stop At: Sourp Magar, Degirmenlik, Alevkaya 2953 Cyprus
Alevkaya Forestry Station - Antiphonitis church, 12.4 km. From the Sourp Magar Monastery, the trail goes downhill and you will go through beautiful forests and fantastic sea views. You will end this day by reaching the Byzantine Antiphonitis church above the village of Esentepe
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Sinya Guest House

Day 10: Stage 9: Antiphonitis church - Tatlisu pass, 16.9 km

Stop At: Church of Antiphonitis, Kyrenia Cyprus
Antiphonitis church - Tatlisu pass, 16.9 km. This is a relatively short hike passing through the closely spaced villages of Yamackoy and Mallidag. There is a bit of a climb for about 1 km at the start but most of the middle section is level. If you are doing the trail during the spring season you should be able to see lots of orchids on this section of the trail.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch Pack
Accommodation included: Sinya Guest House

Day 11: Return or prolongation

Pass By: Ercan International Airport, Ercan Havalimanı
Return or prolongation

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.