| The Troodos National Forest Park is located at the | | | | the Mediterranean chameleon. Several mammals can |
| centre of Cyprus, covers an area of 9337 hectares | | | | be found in the Park too. A casual visitor to the |
| and hosts invaluable plant and animal habitats. Many | | | | north and west parts of the Park is the rare - and |
| villages maintaining local culture, tradition and customs | | | | scarcely seen - Cyprus mouflon, while the fox and |
| can be found scattered all over the Troodos range. | | | | hedgehog, which both live in the Park, have evolved |
| The Troodos forest occupies the heart of the range | | | | to an indigenous subspecies, most likely due to the |
| and includes its highest peak, Mount Olympus, which | | | | long periods of isolation in the habitats of Cyprus. |
| is also the highest peak on the entire island. The area | | | | Bats can also be found in large numbers in Troodos, |
| was designated a National Forest Park in 1992 in an | | | | setting up home in the old buildings and mines that |
| effort to safeguard it's rich plant and animal life and | | | | are strewn across the Park. |
| to research the values and functions of the area, be | | | | The bats aren't the only species enjoying the old |
| they ecological, scientific, recreational or economic. | | | | buildings situated in the Park, however. Tourists from |
| To say that Troodos is rich in wildlife would be | | | | all over the world come to the Park, not only enjoy |
| something of an understatement, with the area | | | | the wildlife but to discover 12th to 15th century |
| featuring 770 plant species, 12 of which are exclusive | | | | churches, winemaking villages and pine forests, as |
| to the Park; that is, they can't be found anywhere | | | | well as some monasteries dating from the Byzantine |
| else in Cyprus or indeed, the world. The Park | | | | period. Quaint villages offering shops and bakeries and |
| constitutes the main habitat in Cyprus for many plant | | | | a laid back alpine atmosphere are also just waiting to |
| species, such as the wild service tree, cotoneaster | | | | be found by travellers visiting the Park. |
| and barberry. As a result of these characteristics, | | | | Seeing all there is to be seen at Troodos National |
| Troodos is considered a botanical heaven and has | | | | Forest Park can be a challenge, but with hiking trails |
| been classified among the most important | | | | covering a total of 50 kilometres as well as mountain |
| mountainous habitats of flora in Europe. | | | | cycling opportunities, roaming around the Park will |
| It's not only plant life that brings people from all over | | | | certainly be an adventure. So, whether you hike, |
| the world to visit Troodos however; animal life in the | | | | cycle or simply go for the option of car hire in |
| Park is also rich and of high conservational value. The | | | | Cyprus, the Troodos National Forest Park in particular, |
| warmest seasons of the year see various reptile | | | | won't fail to impress even the most jaded traveller. |
| species appear, including the blunt-nosed viper and | | | | |