Mount Olympus, or Chionistra, is Cyprus’s highest point at 1,952 m, at the heart of the Troodos range. From the hill resort of Platres, the road winds through black pine forest up to the radomes crowning the summit, delivering the island’s most iconic climb.
The route
From Platres, at around 1,100 m elevation, the road climbs for nearly 18 km to the top of Troodos, gaining about 850 m along the way. The gradient, a steady 5-6% on average, cuts through dense Cyprus black pine forest (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) before opening onto barer slopes near the summit, where the white radomes come into view from far off.
How to approach the ride
A compact crankset is strongly recommended, since the gradient stays sustained over several kilometers with no real flat section. The road is paved the whole way and generally in good condition, but the chill at altitude, even in high summer, is reason enough to pack a windbreaker for the descent.
When to go
April to October: the road can stay snowbound or icy in winter because of the neighboring ski resort, while summer brings noticeably milder heat at altitude than on the coast — which also makes it a popular escape in July and August.
Good to know
Platres, a hill resort favored since British colonial times, has several cafés and fountains for refueling before setting off. The summit itself, occupied by military installations, isn’t open to visitors, but the immediate surroundings offer a clear view over the whole Troodos range on a clear day.
