Avakas Gorge (Linear)

Avakas Gorge (Linear)

A gorge treasure for the lovers of natural paths

A masterpiece of nature, Avakas Gorge is situated in the unspoilt Akamas peninsula within Pegeia state forest with the end of the trail located inside the gorge. It follows the course of the Avgas River, from where the gorge gets its name and resulted from constant erosive activity on the erodible, sloping limestone rocks composed of loams, chalks, reef and grain limestone and bentonitic clays. The gorge is also a Natura 2000 area. The trail firstly follows a dirt road (closed to private vehicles) through an open valley, then takes you into the gorge. In its last section, the trail is in the stream, in which water usually flows throughout the year. The route through the gorge is characterised by thick vegetation and a particularly attractive, shady and moist environment.

A trekker’s paradise, it offers spectacular views and a chance to study the flora and fauna endangered:

Flora: lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus), thorny broom (Calycotome villosa), common smilax (Smilax aspera), oleander (Nerium oleander), storax (Styrax officinalis), and the endemic endangered Akamas centaury (Centaurea akamantis).

Fauna: Fox, hare, hedgehog, Cyprus wheatear (endemic), Cyprus warbler (endemic), scops owl (endemic), partridge, little owl, kestrel, wild pigeon, Stellion lizard. Amphibians: Marsh frog, iridescent frog and tree frog.

Source: CTO 

GPS coordinates of the starting point: 439505 / 3864427

Altitude of the highest peak: 45m

Altitude of the lowest peak: 25m

Starting point: Avakas Gorge, following the Agios Georgios  Pegeias – Toxeftra road for 2,5 km and heading east from where Toxeftra Bay begins

Length:1,2km

Estimated duration: 2 hours

Difficulty Rate: 1­-2 

 

LATEST ARTICLES