Rizoelia National Forest Park Trails
Low crystal-studded hills on Larnaca’s doorstep, laced with easy paths and wide town views.
Rizoelia is a compact 97-hectare national forest park right at the entrance to Larnaca, within Aradippou and designated Natura 2000. Its gentle hills carry a surprising botanical richness — over 180 recorded plant species including rarities first documented in Cyprus — and the rocks glint with natural crystal in the sun. Short nature trails climb to viewpoints looking out over most of Larnaca.
What you’ll see
- Panoramic viewpoints over Larnaca town and coast
- Rocks studded with glinting natural crystal
- Over 180 plant species, some rare to Cyprus
- Hares, partridges and small reptiles
- Picnic site, cafeteria and children’s playground
The walk
Leave your car at the lower car park and walk up onto the low ridge on the marked nature trails, which climb gently between phrygana scrub and scattered pine. Different sections of path reach a series of vantage points where the whole of Larnaca spreads out below, and the crystal-flecked rocks catch the light along the way. The loops are short and easily combined, so you can tailor the walk to the time you have before dropping back to the picnic area and cafeteria.
Getting there
Signposted just off the Larnaca–Aradippou road at the town’s edge; park at the foot of the hills to walk the trails, or drive up to the picnic-site car park. Get directions →
Good to know before you go
There is little shade and it gets very hot in summer, so visit in the cooler months or early morning; the cafeteria is handy for water.