Cyprus has never ceased to amaze me. Even after 7.5 years of exploring Cyprus, i still manage to find new pristine places that i have not seen before. For many, the only waterfall in Cyprus is the Kalidonia waterfall. Few others know Milomeri and even fewer have heard of Mesa Potamas waterfall. To my surprise, i came across this Chantara Waterfalls and i can definitely say that this is the most beautiful waterfall in Cyprus, unless there are more hidden gems like this!
Also known locally at the Handara waterfalls, this waterfall is easily accessible by road (earthern road). The beauty of this fall is because of the split in the main falls because of the huge rock in the middle. This offers numerous photographic opportunities to try out the slow-shutter technique to bring out the silky flow of the water.
This falls is located between Phini Village (or Foini Village) and trooditissa monastery. Phini Village is just a short drive from Kato Platres. Once you reach the village, you will see a clear signboard for handara waterfalls. This is a 2 km drive on earthern road. The road was a bit bad, but we managed it in regular family cars. If you are coming from the other side, drive to trooditissa monastery (this monastery is not open to public), cross the parking lot (the end of the parking lot if marked by an arch) and continue on the earthern road. The moment you leave the parking lot, the road becomes earthern. Keep going towards foini/phini (taking a left at one junction) and you will come across this waterfall right on the road.
The adventurous ones might dismiss this waterfall because of its accessibility through road. But, don’t worry, even they have lot to explore here. Once you gather the courage to clamber up the side of the waterfall (a path visible to the left of the waterfall) and then jump over some rocks, you reach the top of the fall. It was extremely slippery at the top and my camera had some close calls. Once you are at the top, you are rewarded with two more small waterfalls. We wanted to climb to the top of the third one to see if there are more, but it proved to be too slippery for us to continue! We spent more than an hour exploring the place and taking lot of photographs. I would give a big thumbs-up for this place and rate it as one of the must-visit places in Cyprus.
The Cyprus Blog recommends:
- Millomeri Waterfalls in Platres near Troodos, Cyprus
- Kalidonia waterfall snow trek in Troodos, Cyprus
- Mathikoloni - Abandoned village in Cyprus
- Beautiful Cyprus - in pictures
- Extreme snow in troodos - Extreme fun
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May 23rd, 2009 at 11:59 pm
thanks for posting this! i am cypriot and i didn’t even know that this waterfall existed!! cyprus is more beautiful than i thought…
June 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Hi. I visited Cyprus around ten years ago. I hired a car (only an Indian d/l was required) and drove all over the island. My only regret is that I could not visit the Troodos Mountains.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Hi, I am half cypriot half indian(father) and as vassilis said above these are the only waterfalls i had never visited!!!! Good one!
November 8th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
good iam in cyprus last 13 years i have seen only one waterfall i visit more then 13 times to troodos thank you