Trail Enetika Gefiria (Venetian Bridges Trail)

Length: 17km - Linear

Estimated duration: 6 hours

Difficulty rate: 3

Starting point: (a) Kaminaria village (b) Vretsia village

The Venetian Bridges Trail (Enetika Gefyria) in Cyprus is a scenic and historically rich hiking route that takes you through dense forest and across three well-preserved stone bridges: Roudias, Tzielefos, and Elia. These impressive structures were built during the Venetian rule of Cyprus (1489 to 1571) and are still standing strong today.

It is believed that these bridges were part of the Camel Road, an old trade route used by camel caravans to transport ores, raw materials, and timber from the mountains to the port of Paphos. This makes the trail not only a natural adventure but also a walk through Cyprus’ medieval history.

Along the way, hikers will pass through Mita Farm, Saouris Cave, and Saouris Farm, and continue past the Pera Vasa picnic site, where a large dry pine tree is preserved on display. The trail offers stunning panoramic views throughout, including a viewpoint overlooking the Arminou Dam.

This long and rewarding hike is one of the best ways to explore Cyprus’ natural beauty while uncovering its Venetian past.

The bridge of Roudia was the first bridge we came across since we started our trail from Vretsia, an old abandoned Turkish village. We found it hard to find the trail's starting point and instead of walking 17km we hiked for 21km in total.

The distances between each point of interest are:

Vretsia village – Roudia Bridge 3km

Roudias Bridge – Tzielefos Bridge 6,9km

Tzielefos Bridge – Elia Bridge 3,9km

Elia Bridge - Kaminaria village 3,2 km

Roudia Bridge (Gefiri tou Roudia): Located in Paphos Forest, over Xeros river. Roudia Bridge is surrounded by rich vegetation of plane trees, alder trees and pine trees. Its name comes from the bush “roudi”, which its trade of bark and leaves was one of the main incomes during the Venetian period. After almost being destroyed during the 50’s by a powerful earthquake, its restoration took place in the 70’s. Its stunning scenery makes it one of my favourite locations.

Tzielefos Bridge (Gefiri tou Tzielefou): The second bridge you come across and one the most known bridges of the island. It is located at an altitude of about 440 meters within the deep forest of Paphos and it’s surrounded by rich vegetation. It is the largest stone bridge in Cyprus, and it’s built over Diarizos river. On both entrances of the bridge there is a waiting point which shows that there was great movement during the Venetian period, as it was the main connection point of Paphos with other districts.

The bridge used to be called “Vokaria” – from the Greek word Vokaros - which means “separating”. There are several scenarios regarding its current name “Tzelefos”. One is that it comes from the Greek word “Kelefos”, which means weak or sick - connected to a person that got sick or a fatality which happened during the construction of the bridge. The other version is that it comes from the word “shell” – in Greek “kelifos”.

Elia Bridge (Gefiri tis Elias): Elia bridge is built over Finioti river, where the river of Kaminaria and the river of Diarizos meet. The name of the bridge Elia translates to “olive” and it got its name from the olive trees that grew in the area and specifically one olive tree right next to the bridge which was a meeting point for travellers. During the medieval ages it was the only passage to Foiniotis (Fini) for the travellers going to and from Paphos. From there on they continued towards Tzielefos Bridge and then to Roudia Bridge. One of its main characteristics are the carved crosses on both sites of the bridge.