Prodromos, Cyprus’s highest village at around 1,400 m, sits in the Marathasa Valley, known for its cherry and apple orchards. The climb up from Pedoulas delivers one of the most complete mountain routes in the western Troodos.
The route
From Pedoulas, the road winds through orchards and pine woods toward Moutoullas and then Prodromos, forming a loop of about 22 km with 650 m of combined elevation gain. The grades, while not extreme, stay fairly constant over most of the ride, with a few steeper stretches near Prodromos.
How to approach the ride
A compact crankset makes the climb considerably easier, especially on the steeper sections near the top. The road, narrow in places, passes through several villages where caution is worth keeping given occasional local traffic.
When to go
April to October: in bloom during spring, the Marathasa Valley’s cherry orchards put on one of the finest shows in the Troodos, while autumn brings warm colors and pleasant coolness at altitude.
Good to know
Moutoullas, known for its bottled mineral water sold since the 1930s, and Pedoulas, with its UNESCO-listed painted church, both deserve a stop. Prodromos itself remains a quiet village, with a few simple taverns for refueling before the descent.
