This walk starts downhill, so everyone knows what to expect on the way back. To compensate, however, it yields two abandoned villages, a memorial to a famous patriot, the lonely church of Panayia Khrysospiliotissa I thought I saw a roller in Yermanoyia valley the other day. It was dusk though, and I couldn’t be sure but, as it slapped off down the valley, I caught a glimpse of bright blue and heard its crow-like call.

This apocryphal sighting, together with the arrival of the swallows was enough to convince me that spring has really arrived. Time then to revisit Koryphi, that beautiful escarpment that overlooks Yermasoyia Village. That the dam was now full and could be viewed without having to tangle with the stream of motorized nerophiles making their way up the valley was an added bonus.

This is a walk of about 12 kms. Start from the Yermasoyia village square. Follow the concrete lane down between houses from the corner right-hand beyond the E.S.E.L. to the valley bottom. An alternative route by a dry valley is shown on the map, but o get the best of spring flowers in the meadow of Moutayiaka, the route to follow lies straight ahead across the river.

There is water is the streambed but the road now crosses by a culver and you will no longer need the stepping stones that once provided so much fun.

The road passes some tall cypresses, heading out to Moutayiaka past a small hill-top church. All along the roadside you will see tiny scarlet wild peas, vetches and a vast variety of other flowers, including the shy and retiring salsify.

Just before reaching Moutayiaka turn left onto a dirt road that leads up past some earthworks. Soon you are passing meadows yellow with swaying charlock, while asphodel and various flowering shrubs line the road. You will see wild garlic, cape sorrel and at one stage a large colony of grape hyacinths.

Continue climbing the dip-slope of the escarpment with the long village of Moutayiaka on your right. Soon the cultivated fields are left behind. You pass into garrigue where spiny burnett is already in fruit and the broom is in blossom. The botanist will forgive me if I talk about primroses, forget-me-nots, and violets. In the ground layer there are species that resemble these along with the sun-gold, fleabane and tiny orange peas.

Only one proper track takes off to the left as you climb. This is the track up from the dry Valley mentioned earlier. Ignore it and keep climbing until you come to a T-junction where you go left towards a large water tank. The track forks, but either branch will take you to the tank. Nearby are some flat rocks, which make an ideal resting place with outstanding views over Yermasoyia to Limassol and the Salt Lake.

The road then meanders gently up to another water tank on the summit ridge. Beside it there are the remains of an ancient building below which the indentations of the lakes outline can be viewed. Water no laps on its upper shores. It seems incredible that online a few short months ago the area was desiccated and fisherman parked their cars alongside that stream that trickled through the bed of the reservoirs. Monkey orchids have established themselves round the ruin.

Follow the summit ridge along for a few hundred meters, enjoying the vistas over the lake and over to the red, forested slopes of Limassol Forest. Down below, neat rows of citrus trees form the foreground to Phinikaria village. This must be one of the best viewpoints in Cyprus.

Very near the summit of Koryphi a grassy ledge drops to the left, taking you round the cliffs. It is quite broad, but gives a fine sensation of exposure. You might be lucky enough to spot the hawk that inhabits the crags. The way down is by steep, broken track, which descends soon after you leave the ledge.

It is not very distinct in places, passing through tall prickly broom patches, but the dirt road at the bottom of which is the route to Phinikaria is always in sight. On reaching this direct route lies to the left and is an easy descent through varied scrub and farmland. You can go down to Phinikaria and take a break at the tavern, or take one of the side roads to join the tar-sealed road that will take you back to the dam.

If you wan to go further from the hilltop, alternative routes along the ridge facing you or following the road right are indicated on the map. In either cease you come back to Phinikaria and follow the road down to the dam.

The dam itself makes a good resting place. Recent interest in the replenishment of the reservoir in fact triggered local enterprise and there is often an ice cream and a hamburger van parked there.
To avoid a long slog back on the road, and the traffic, the best route back to Yermasoyia is to take the first left beneath the dam and walk back through the citrus groves