Waterfalls in Cyprus, four cascades in the Troodos

Talking about waterfalls on an island of dry summers sounds odd, and you shouldn’t expect huge drops. But the Troodos have rivers that run most of the year and four waterfalls worth the trip. I set them out using figures from ANETroodos and Limassol Tourism, which don’t always agree on heights.

Caledonia, the one with the trail

The Caledonia Waterfall, on the Kryos river above Pano Platres at 1,330 metres, drops 13 metres among pines and golden oaks. The company says its flow holds up through the hot months, which, given the island’s dry summers, is quite something. Tradition has it that a Scottish visitor named it, reminded of home by the scenery. You reach it on the Caledonia trail, which starts near the presidential summer residence by the Kryos river, or from Psilo Dendro above Platres.

Millomeris, the highest

Millomeris falls over diabase rock in the bed of the same Kryos river, surrounded by the same plants as Caledonia. The company calls it the highest waterfall in the Troodos and gives it 20 metres on its waterfalls page, although the trail notes say 15, the figure Limassol Tourism also uses. Both explain the name through two Cypriot words, millos and meros, meaning a damp place. There’s a one-kilometre path from the Faneromeni church in Pano Platres, and you can also drive along a dirt track off the Platres to Limassol road, a kilometre past the Psilo Dendro restaurant.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Platres before prices climb.

Chantara, by Foini

Chantara is at 1,035 metres in dense pine forest with golden oak. It drops 8 metres into a small pool fringed by planes and alders, where lavender and sage scent the air. It lies 1.5 km north of Foini, and from Trooditissa monastery it is 3.5 km, from Pano Platres 5.5, with road access all the way. It’s the one I’d choose with children.

Mesa Potamos

The fourth is at about 1,000 metres, on the Arkolachanias or Mesa Potamos river, north-west of Saitas and near the monastery of Timios Prodromos of Mesa Potamos. It falls 7 metres among pines. You walk 200 metres downhill from the Mesa Potamos picnic site, or approach from Saitas, Moniatis or Kato Amiantos.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Platres and choose by the reviews.

Dams and fishing

The company lists six dams open to anglers who hold a Department of Fisheries licence, among them Prodromos, built in 1962 at 1,600 metres, which turns into an ice rink in winter, and Kalopanagiotis, from 1969, known for its trout. Arminou holds 4.3 million cubic metres beside the medieval Tzelefos bridge, and Xyliatos has a 4 km trail around it.

When to go

I’d go between January and May. The company explains that winter rain swells the rivers and fills the dams, and that melting snow makes the waterfalls run hardest. To plan the walk, the guide to hiking in Cyprus and nature parks in Cyprus round this one off.

A car frees you from timetables: search car hire in Limassol on DiscoverCars and compare companies.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Platres before prices climb.