Cedar Valley

Cedar Valley is a remote protected forest in the western Pafos Forest, between the villages of Pano Panagia and Stavros tis Psokas, where one of the few remaining stands of the endemic Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) survives. The species is one of only four cedar species in the world (the others being the Atlas, Lebanon and Himalayan cedars) and is critically restricted to this small mountain forest — perhaps 30,000 trees over a few hundred hectares. The valley is part of the Cyprus Department of Forests' protected forest reserve and is one of the more remote serious nature destinations on the island.

The cedars themselves are visually distinctive — short-needled, often with broad horizontal branches and a flat-topped silhouette in maturity. The largest specimens are estimated at 800-1000 years old. The valley also hosts mouflon (Cyprus' endemic wild sheep, here in their stronghold), Bonelli's eagles, and a wide range of mountain Mediterranean flora. The Stavros tis Psokas Forestry Station (15 minutes' drive west) has a small visitor centre, a captive mouflon enclosure for visitors who want to see the otherwise elusive species, and ranger guidance.

The valley is reached by a forest road from Pano Panagia or from Kykkos Monastery — both routes are partly unpaved and one-and-a-half-lane wide; allow plenty of time. A marked walking trail through the cedar forest (around 2.5 km, easy) gives the best close encounter with the trees themselves.

What to do. Drive in, walk the trail, visit the Stavros tis Psokas station for context, photograph. The whole trip is half a day from Paphos or Pano Panagia. Picnic facilities at the trail entrance. Mouflon are most active at dawn and dusk — visitors there overnight have the best chance of a sighting.

Insider tips. A 4x4 is helpful but not essential — high-clearance ordinary cars manage in dry weather. Avoid the unpaved sections after heavy rain. Pack lunch — there are no facilities in the valley itself. Phone signal is patchy; download offline maps. Sturdy shoes for the walking trail.

Combinations. Pair with Kykkos Monastery (40 minutes east, on the Troodos circuit), with Stavros tis Psokas Forestry Station, with Vouni Panayia Winery (35 minutes south), or as part of a long Pafos-Forest day driving the back-roads.

Bring. Sturdy shoes, layered clothing, picnic lunch, 1.5L water per person, sunscreen, hat, paper map, binoculars for mouflon. When. Spring (April-May) for wildflowers; autumn (October-November) for clear cool air. Avoid summer midday and winter wet weather. Cedar Valley is the wild, slow, serious mountain destination of the western Pafos and rewards visitors who are willing to drive a long way for ancient trees.