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TREKKING IN THE TROODOS MOUNTAINS WITH YOUR DOG

18th August 2017 By Adam Hugill 1 Comment

Cleo enjoying some shade in the Troodos Mountains.

I had forgotten how difficult it can be to be a dog owner in Cyprus. Having previously lived here from 2013-2015, you would have thought that I would have a good idea of the limitations that Cyprus has for dog owners. It turns out I had forgotten the negatives and only remembered the good times.

Dog owners in Cyprus often complain about the lack of places to walk their pets and the general negative attitude that locals have towards dogs. Having just spent two years in the UK with Cleo, we were spoilt with countless beaches where dogs can run. As we lived in Yorkshire and then Wiltshire, we also had miles of green space, woods and forests for Cleo to enjoy.

All is not bad for dog owners in Cyprus. One of the best places that I have found to take Cleo is up into the mountains. We used to come up to Troodos every other week to escape the blistering heat of the coast and this time around will be no different. Cleo certainly appreciates it as she is able to walk for miles off the lead and in much cooler conditions.

During the day it is too hot to walk Cleo near the coast (I am writing this in August, things will cool down eventually) and when we do walk her in the early morning or late at night there are nasty, spiky plants that get into her paws. This is not a problem in the mountains. The ground is much nicer on her paws with few horrible plants for her to step on.

Rather than complain about the differences between Cyprus and the UK, I plan to make the most of the differences by exploring dog-friendly spots and writing about them in this blog.

Troodos Trails

There are 52 official designated nature trails to follow in Cyprus with a large amount of these being in the Troodos Mountains. If you are keen to take your dog into the mountains but don’t know where to start, the Visit Cyprus website has detailed maps and directions for all the official trails. This week I followed the Atalanti trail, starting and finishing at the main town of Troodos. On the map below, I started at the most Eastern starting point and followed the trail clockwise. There are sign posts along the whole route and in clear summer conditions, the navigation is very easy. I didn’t need to use a map or compass the whole way round.

The route has little incline or decline but it is fairly long at 14km. I would recommend this route for intermediate level trekkers due to the length of the trail. If you are a beginner, the shorter Artemis route is probably more appropriate at 7km with similar incline/decline.

At a normal pace, it can take 4-5 hours to complete. We did it in 3.5 hours, probably because I walk a little quicker than average. We most recently walked this route in August where the temperature was a cool 20 degrees. This was ideal for Cleo. Even though it is much cooler than the coast, it can still get hot in the sun and Cleo needed to rest a few times in the shade. Always pay attention to how your dog is reacting. Even if you find it cool and easy going, your dog may be struggling with the heat.

We only passed one running stream (this will be different in the winter, especially when the snow arrives) so make sure you take plenty of water for everybody, including your pet.

The ground can be quite uneven and rocky in parts so appropriate footwear is required. Loose fitting clothing in the summer with a hat to keep the sun off your head is recommended. Pick a route that is appropriate for the fitness, age and breed of your dog. If in doubt, ask a vet for advice for how far you can walk your dog.

Looking west onto the Paphos forest

There are some stunning views on the trail. On a clear day you get a panoramic view all the way down to the coast in the south and the Paphos forest in the West.

What kit to take?

Here is a recommended minimum kit list for trekking in the Troodos Mountains with your dog:

  • Small rucksack
  • Minimum of 2 litres of water per person
  • Collapsible water bowl (we use these silicone ones and they work a treat!)
  • Dog lead (Cleo was off the lead for the trek but you will need it for the often busy Troodos Square)
  • Suncream if trekking in the summer
  • Snacks – I would recommend the honey coated cashews from Troodos square
  • A small first aid kit with bandages (link to a previous post about canoeing with dogs with a comprehensive first aid kit)
  • A mobile phone in case of emergencies
  • Camera to take awesome photos

After the trek

Once you have finished the trek you can stop at one of the cafes in Troodos Square, have some lunch and watch the world go by. You can buy some of the local nuts, honey or wine to take home as a souvenir. There is usually a fruit stall open next to the main car park which sells locally sourced fruit. I would recommend that you buy a piece of fruit that you don’t recognise. You will be pleasantly surprised.

You may get inquisitive looks from some of the locals for having a pet dog but that is part and parcel of living in Cyprus. Cleo is probably the softest and most gentle dog I have ever seen so it does make me chuckle when grown adults cower from her like she is a rabid monster. When I am in the busier areas of Troodos I make sure she is on the lead so she doesn’t bother anyone that may be scared of dogs.

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If you would like to be updated when I find new dog-friendly spots, please subscribe below. Also if you have any recommendations for dog-friendly treks in Cyprus, please reply in the comments. I would love to hear your recommendations.

 

Filed Under: Cyprus, Dogventures Tagged With: cyprus, dog, hike, mountains, trek

WHY I AM NOT GOING ON ANY BIG ADVENTURES THIS SUMMER

13th August 2017 By Adam Hugill 1 Comment

I have just started my summer break from work. Normally when I have three weeks off I am busy planning an adventure. This summer will be different as I am staying at home. As I wrote in my previous post, home is now Cyprus where I live with my Mrs and our dog Cleo (who has also returned to her home country of Cyprus). Instead of setting off on a long cycle ride across a country or on a trek in the mountains, I have decided to spend the three weeks with my family. There are a few reasons for this.

I’m taking the opportunity to settle into a new country with my family

This isn’t the first time I have lived in Cyprus. Two years ago I left Cyprus to return to the UK after spending two years here. But moving to any country can take a bit of getting used to. Simple tasks can become a challenge. Finding somewhere to walk the dog can be a nightmare. As can going to do a grocery shop. Having some time off to get settled in is invaluable.

Time off from work is always valuable. For the next three weeks, I have decided that the best use of this time is to spend it with my family.

I’m saving some money for future adventures

This year I have been lucky to go on some awesome adventures. Trekking in the Himalayas, skiing in the Alps and weekends on rivers and National Parks in the UK but all of this costs money. I’ve been lucky that the cost of many of these trips has been off set by the Army. But moving to a new country with your dog can be expensive. Pennies need to be saved before I can head off on any future expeditions.

Moving to a new country is an adventure

There is so much to see and do on the Island of Cyprus. The country is populated with tourists, visiting here on their summer holidays. Attracted by the fantastic weather, pristine water and epic stretches of beaches. It’s easy to forget that many of these tourists have paid thousands of pounds to come here with their family for three weeks. Once you live somewhere it can be easy to forget just how lucky you are. This is the view from my garden for the next year. For me, living here is actually costing less than it did to live in the UK. I’m actually getting paid slightly more for being in Cyprus. This principle is explained brilliantly by Rolf Potts in the book Vagabonding.

One of my favourite places in Cyprus is the Troodos mountains. Escaping the heat in the pine covered mountains is a welcome relief after spending time in the sun at the hotter coast. It’s also a great place to walk the dog. I plan to spend the next three weeks visiting new places, eating local food and relaxing by the coast.

An adventure does not have to be a solo expedition without family. Moving to a new country and starting a new job is a pretty big adventure. Different to a solo trek but an adventure none the less.

Time for adventures with the family

I spend a lot of time away from my family with work. I’ve just spent two weeks apart from my family and I’m due to go away on courses back in the UK over the coming months. It’s the nature of life in the forces. That is why time off is precious. This time I will be adventuring with the family for three weeks. I’m not too sure when my next solo adventure will be. At the moment I am enjoying being at home, settling into a new role at work and making new friends. I feel no real desire to put my body through the challenge of a solo adventure at this time. This is the plotting stage where plans for future adventures come from.

Future solo expeditions are on hold…for now

 

Filed Under: Cyprus Tagged With: cyprus

I’VE JUST MOVED TO A NEW COUNTRY!

31st July 2017 By Adam Hugill 1 Comment

Once again, I am on the move. I’m starting to realise that I don’t tend to stay in one place for too long. For some, this lifestyle could sound like a nightmare but this is one of the reasons I decided to have a career in the military. To travel, explore and see the world.

So far I have been lucky enough to live in Germany and Cyprus. Add to that the three months I lived in Egypt last year, it turns out I’ve spent more time overseas in the last 5 years than I have in the UK.

But this time I am not moving to a new country. I am returning to Cyprus.

Cliff jumping on the weekend

After spending two years here from 2013-2015 I was eager to return to the Mediterranean. For me, there are so many benefits and positive reasons to live here. The relaxed nature, unbeatable sun and escaping  cold and drizzly winter mornings. I find it miserable having to go to work on a cold January morning at 7 am, only to find it’s still dark. Then when I return home at 5 pm it’s dark again. This won’t be a problem in Cyprus.

As with all things, there are downsides. We won’t see much of our friends and family back in the UK. Making new friends in a new country can be difficult. Getting a job can be hard for my wife. The language and culture are different and can take some getting used to.  There is uncertainty in Europe with the Brexit negotiations which is making the pound weak against the Euro.

But all of these niggles and problems are totally worth it. I’ve been on Island for just under a week and so far I have already been cliff jumping, swam in a 1.9 km open water swimming race and started a new job. In the coming weeks, I will be joined by my wife and our dog Cleo.

Bumping into old friends from my home town of Beverley in Yorkshire after completing the 1.9km sea swim. The world is a small place.

There are so many opportunities to explore not only Cyprus but the surrounding areas in the Middle East. Israel, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey are on the list of places I would love to explore.

Settling in is much easier having lived here before. I’m living on the same street as I did last time and recognise some of the same faces in the shops. Being able to buy fresh halloumi and enjoy Greek meze’s again is a dream.  The familiarity is just like returning home.

If anybody is reading this in 2017-2018 and would like to visit Cyprus, drop me an email at adam@adventurewithadam.com. I will be more than happy to show people the best spots and places to eat, trek and cliff jump.

Filed Under: Cyprus Tagged With: cyprus

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