Three Crusader Castles Walk

The Three Crusader Castles Walk

The Three Crusader Castles Walk (a 68 mile/110km five day walking programme) is a superb linear walk along the central part of the Kyrenia Mountain Trail.

The Karpaz Besparmark and Kyrenia mountain ranges form a contiguous chain of mountains only a few miles in from the sea for the 143 mile/229 km from Cape Zafer (the end of the panhandle) in the east to Cape Korucam in the west, the whole of which forms the coast of North Cyprus. The Kyrenia Mountain Trail is a ridge walk across the complete range passing three of the most spectacular Crusader Castles: Kantara, Buffavento and St. Hilarion, all perched on the highest pinnacles of the range.
Northern Cyprus is steeped in history: Bronze Age, Greek, Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine sites, and early Christian Catholic, Maronite, Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches - it's all here. Add to that a perfect climate, stunning scenery, a profusion of wild flowers and prolific bird life and it's easy to see why North Cyprus has recently emerged as a 'must visit' location for walkers and nature lovers. With the mild climate walking starts in October and carries on right through to mid May.

Accommodation is based in two centres: Kantara Rest House near Kantara Castle for three nights and Onar Holiday Village in Kyrenia for the last four. Daily transport takes you out to the start of each day's walk and brings you back in the evening. The drop off and pick up points are high so although most of the walk is at 2,000 to 2,500 feet there is not much climbing to be done.