Outdoorsy events in the mountains

Time to enjoy the Cypriot winter. With temperatures dropping and the occasional rain, Cyprus mountains and snowy hills are coming to life. Rain or shine, for those of us in Cyprus, winter is a popular season to explore the outdoors and hit the road. Layer up and enjoy one of the many mountain trails or join an event that takes you to Cyprus’ great outdoors.

The 1^st Kakopetria Winter Run will take place on January 29 and take participants on a riverside run. Three routes are planned, a 15km one with 500 metres of elevation gain which will start at 8.30am, a 7km route beginning at 9.05am and a 1km run for children at 11am.

The race will mostly take place in the forest, running next to the Karkotis river and through a green valley, passing near the closed mine facilities and the church of Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis which has outstanding wall paintings and is included on the Unesco World Heritage List.

If it is something more wintery you are after, Salonica View is organising a ski trip to Troodos Mountains on Sunday, February 5. “Cyprus may be famous for its wonderful beaches, for its warm climate in summer,” say organisers, “but even in winter, when the snow falls on its highest peaks, it has nothing to envy from northern countries that are famous for skiing.”

As such, they organise a ski outting for all levels. The outing will be a whole-day affair departing from Nicosia very early in the morning, at 6.30am, to beat the Sunday crowds. Once at the ski resort, a one-hour lesson by certified ski instructors from the Cyprus Sports Organization will teach participants the basic techniques required by the sport, but also for the more advanced, how to improve these techniques. At the end of the course, participants will have the whole day at the ski resort with the equipment to enjoy skiing on the slopes of Troodos. Snow outfits and white hills in glorious Cyprus winter.

Kakopetria Winter Run 2023

Organised 15km, 7km and 1km nature run. January 29. Kakopetria region. 8.30am. €20-25. Tel: 99-800193. Facebook page @KakopetriaWinterRun

Ski at Troodos

Whole day guided classes and practice. Organised by Salonica View. February 5. Meeting in Nicosia at 6.30am. €60. www.salonicaview.com. Tel: 99-251074