Park Rest Journal — September 2026 · Places
The Beşparmak (Five Finger) range runs the length of Northern Cyprus's north coast just behind Kyrenia (Girne), and in September, when it is still 30°C down by the sea, it is the nearest place to walk in the shade of the pines and climb up to the castles. Below: which trails to pick for half a day, where to start and when to set out.
Where to start
The long-distance Beşparmak Trail is waymarked with white-and-green blazes bearing the letter B and split into 18 stages totalling about 257 km from Cape Kormakitis to the Karpaz; for day walks the sections above Kyrenia are the handiest. The stage from the village of Karmi to the Nicosia–Kyrenia highway is 9.2 km with views of St Hilarion Castle, from the highway to Bellapais 12.7 km, from Bellapais to the Buffavento restaurant 18 km with steep alpine stretches, then on to Alevkaya 9.4 km along the forested ridge.
Short routes
Karmi to St Hilarion: about three hours and 350 m of ascent; the castle is open 09:00–18:30, last entry 16:30, tickets 150 TL (summer 2026), the climb to the upper ward takes about an hour, and the steps are smooth with no handrails. Bellapais to Buffavento: about 13 km, 600 m of ascent, 4–5 hours there and back. You can also drive to Buffavento: from the Beşparmak pass it is 7.4 km uphill to the car park, then 20–25 minutes and 600 steps, entry free. Alevkaya: an 8 km loop via the Armenian monastery of Sourp Magar, 2–4 hours, plus an easy 7 km forest walk.
When to set out
The best months for the range are October to April; in September set out at 07:00–08:00 or after 16:00, as the open ridges have no shade. There is almost no water on the trails and the springs dry up by autumn, so carry at least a litre and a half per person. Wear walking boots: limestone and scree, and after the first rain the rock is slippery.
On the Beşparmak in September: before nine in the morning, with a litre and a half of water.
Navigation: download the track in Wikiloc for offline use, since the signal drops on the northern slopes. The road to St Hilarion is sometimes closed without warning; check in the morning at your hotel or with the club concierge.
- Start from Karmi or Bellapais, where there is a café and parking, rather than from the pass.
- Get to St Hilarion by 15:00 to be in before the last entry at 16:30.
- Wear closed boots even for the short climb up Buffavento's 600 steps.
- Download the Wikiloc map beforehand and tell your hotel where you are going and when you will be back.