always an adventure! 

The Venetian Bridges

The bridges which first inspired our Ride in Cyprus treks were built in the Venetian period of 1489 to 1571 (Ottoman invasion).    

Tres Elias, the first bridge, is situated at the half way point between Paphos and Nicosia.  It is where traders would meet and rest under the shade of the three olive trees – which explains the bridge’s name Tis Elias or Elia as it is also called.

Camels were used to transport copper from the Pera Pedi mines to be processed at Pera Vasa, now a picnic site between the Tzielefos and Roudias bridges, where the horses stay overnight on the long trek.  The smelted copper would then be taken by the camel to the ports of Paphos and Polis for export.  The camels would travel in groups of about 50, could carry up to 500kg each and could cover up to 50km in a day. 

There were still about 90 camels in Cyprus up until 1965.     

We found the Kamilostrata – or Camel Road began West of Fini village and travelled West to the first bridge at Tis Elias with two more bridges at Tzielefos and Roudias, the latter situated just below the old abandoned Turkish village of Vretsia.  

These magnificent stone structures have withstood the test of time; the original trails have long since been demolished by rock falls and earthquakes.  The bridges and mills in the Vretsia valley have now been designated as special monuments and are, as such, protected.    

The trail between the series of bridges supports a stunning array of plant and wildlife and is an area of breathtaking natural beauty.  You can see Mouflon, vultures, orchids and awesome views over the forested hills and valleys.

Join us on the Venetian Bridges trail!

This trek covers some distance, so you need to be comfortable at all paces and able to mount and dismount unaided as one or two tracks are be steep and you may wish to lead your horse.  You must be fit enough to ride up to 6 1/2 hours a day.  Weight limit 85kg.

How much?

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
Arrive at Paphos airport, stay at the Paradisos Hills hotel, meet the horses if it is early enough and have a Brandy Sour!	Ride from Lysos to Vretsia via Anadiou, through valleys, villages and forest.  Stay in the tipi.	Ride down to Roudias  bridge,  meander  through the river a few times and up the forested valley tracks to Pera Vasa, Tzielephos Bridge and Elias Bridge.  Stay in hikers’ accommodation in the old school house at Milikouri, which looks down the beautiful Platrys valley where we often hear the nightingale singing.	Ride to Vretsia via the Tzielephos  and Roudias bridges  – stay in the tipi.	Today’s route is a circular one in the beautiful Xeros valley. You will ride your horse through the old Venetian mills in the valley bottom.  We often have sightings of the griffin vultures and mouflon here.  Stay in the tipi.	Ride to Lysos past the Kannaviou reservoir via Anadiou.  Stay in the Paradisos Hills hotel.	Transfer to Paphos airport.