LAHANIKA

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 15:45

Written by Daintre Hart

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LAHANIKA

The Jinarota cliffs at the western end of the Lahanika beach.

This beach is so inaccessible I forgot to tell you about it.

It is directly down the cliff westwards below the Cyta Mast and Stathmos.  

It is only for the seriously fit and able.   Even if you come by boat be wary of swimming here, except very close to the beach where it is good to cool off after a trek down to the beach.   But beware, there will be no-one to rescue you if you get into trouble.   Either in the sea or in the area behind the beach, which is called "Lahanika", meaning "vegetables"...   Presumably, once upon a time, an area renown for wild veg.

It is a serious trek to get here.   Once upon a time - not so long ago - you could get a 4x4 down to the beach, but the erosion on this track is savage and there is evidence of massive rockfalls.    You can reach the road down to the beach by going westwards either from the Pine Bay development or from Profitis Elias, the little church above the Paphos Road, accessible from the new primary school.

You can park on the plateau above the valley going down to the beach.   It is a long, beautiful and wild slog down to the beach, with much of the road dramatically cut by gullies caused by heavy rain.    It will take about 20 minutes to walk down.   

Whether you come back up this track - the safe route - or go directly up the cliff edge to the Cyta Station, it will take at least twice as long coming up.  

The cliff edge straight up from the eastern side of the river bed is precipitous and dangerous, and should not be attempted by anyone not sure-footed and fit.   But it is dramatic and rewarding, and if you are fit enough you can make this a circular walk.   Someone has kindly marked the track with small stone cairns.

The valley behind the beach is wild and inhospitable.   The beach is stony, abandoned and beautiful, with a wonderful sense - inevitably - of it being all yours.   You are unlikely to encounter anyone else there.   Talk has always been that it was a smugglers' beach.

If you go there in the summer months make sure you take a good supply of water:  it is hot and there is no shade.   Spring, autumn and winter are the best times to go.

Take care:  this is a wild and dangerous place.   It is also home to many snakes, though you are unlikely to see them.