The Karpaz Peninsula in northeastern Cyprus is a MedTrekker’s dream due to a seemingly endless variety of delightfully diverting distractions.
Famous primarily for its wild donkeys, the Karpaz cape also features more than enough isolated white-sanded beaches, impenetrable forests, archeological treasures, savage coasts, fascinating flora, intriguing trails and unique rock formations to qualify as a glimpse of MedTrekker heaven.
And the only way to approach and accomplish a long hike through an enchanting national park like this is slowly. Very slowly.
The Idiot spent time with a military map at a Byzantine chapel to avoid missing any interesting sites on the Karpaz Peninsula. (Photo: Liz Chapin)
The Karpaz is sometimes a slow and meditative walk on the wild side.
An isolated beach beckons MedTrekkers in the peaceful Karpaz.
The Idiot chats with a group of male Cypriot teachers who camp in the Karpaz together twice a year “to get away from it all.” (Photo: Liz Chapin)
The Karpaz is so intriguing that “wild donkeys couldn’t drag me away.”
The Idiot reaches Big Sand Bungalows and the Karpaz Golden Beach after a 37-kilometer walkabout, with lots of dead ends, in the expansive national park. (Photo: Liz Chapin)
A walk — and swim — on the calmer seaside of the Karpaz.
In addition, The Idiot’s basecamp in Dipkarpaz is a refreshing mix of Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Turkish and Kurdish cultures, languages and cuisines in the divided island country.
A mosque and a Greek Orthodox church in Dipkarpaz.
Icons in a seaside Greek Orthodox chapel.
Sharing photos of the Karpaz Peninsula with the Kurdish family running the Dilara Restaurant in Dipkarpaz.
The only way to end a slow, varied MedTrek through the Karpaz is with a grateful tip of the cap.
Thanks, Karpaz! (Photo: Liz Chapin)
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