Hitting the trail
SOME 300 outdoor enthusiasts took part in a nature walk in and around Lefke on Sunday, using a trail recently opened as part of a European Union-funded project to encourage sustainable rural development of the area.
The 13km walking trail was completed after three years’ work by Lefke Municipality and Lefke Tourism Association, with Sunday’s event its official inauguration.
Walkers explored the natural and historic attractions of Lefke and visited the town’s newly renovated and historic Acendu fountain, which is also known as the Aqua Cento fountain, Karşıyaka Valley and Lefke river — dubbed “the River with Copper” — which now has a new wooden bridge across it. They also visited Karadağ, an old mine site located to the south-west of Lefke.
Speaking to Cyprus Today, tourism association head Hasan Karlıtaş said: “We thank all participants in our first big nature walk, organised to mark the launch of the town’s first-ever walking trail.”
Describing the event as “a great success”, he said: “We were expecting to see some 100 people but about 300 turned out, which was a very pleasant surprise.”
Mr Karlıtaş said the walking trail was the result of an EU-funded project jointly carried out over some three years by the municipality and the association. They aimed to promote sustainable rural development of the town, which is a member of Cittaslow, the “slow cities” movement that emphasises local food, culture and eco-tourism.
The project also envisages creation of cycle trails, preparation of booklets in Turkish and English, promotion of Lefke and its surrounding villages, and creation of a museum to reflect the cultural and historical assets of the “copper town” of North Cyprus which was once home to the former CMC mining company.
“We received very good feedback from the participants, who enjoyed the natural and historic attractions of the town,” said Mr Karlıtaş.
“This is . . . what we wanted to achieve. We, the association, believe the future of Lefke is in sustainable development and planned tourism. Lefke is a unique town with its nature and history. It is a member of the Cittaslow movement and we want to promote the principles and norms of ‘slow cities’ philosophy here.
“We are against any kind of industrial activity that would jeopardise the town’s nature and beauty and instead would like to promote organic farming and sustainable tourism for the town. We believe that these are the steps needed to create a better future here and that there is a role to play by all sides; central and local government as well as civil society.”