Met up with Nick Bointon and collected vehicles for the week, set off straight out from the hotel and up into the Mountains via a rugged trail with tight switchbacks just to get us in the mood! The Western end of the range is more commercialised with several miles of the trail now tarmac.In  the afternoon we were left by Nick to find our own way, so we stopped in a village for essential supplies and despite the map we had been given managed to find a good offroad route through the foothills of the mountain range,stopping for lunch and then on to a dry reservoir where we played for a while, before   rejoining tarmac for a short distance. We then took a trail that eventually led to the beach via a tortuous route through a bamboo forest! We took a scenic drive back via the coast road ,took a shower to get rid of the trail dust, and later indulged in copius amounts of food and alcohol!

Tuesday

Earlier start on Tuesday, so we headed out to the Eastern end of the island, hoping to get to the start of the trail.  As mapping of the island is very poor; this proved to be more difficult than we thought. We head out on the coast road stopping on an isolated beach for lunch. Eventually we found ourselves on a rocky trail with some interesting axle twisters which ended up on the edge of the escarpment with a 300ft drop to the Karpas forest below! Further investigation uncovered some interesting technical trails that descended into the valley but with limited  daylight left we made the reluctant decision to leave them for another time?? A long drive back to base followed by richly deserved T bone steaks and of course – BEER!

Wednesday

It took some persuasion, but we eventually managed to get Steve to spend the day sunbathing next to the hotel pool, after the first 2 hours Steve was converted!  A tough day of drinking EFS beer, eating lunch and applying sun block!

Thursday

Out on the trail again, this time driving around 60 miles offroad, visiting two VERY remote castles and picking our way along the trail, without another vehicle in sight. Some interesting sections with some technical driving and incredible views in every direction.

Friday

Another day off!   This time we spent the day cruising the coast in a Turkish wooden boat, sunbathing, swimming, eating and drinking.............. It was a tough day!  Oh and of course we had another evening meal out at one of the many great restaurants that we found all over Northern Cyprus.

Saturday

Our last day!  We drove to the last point on the trail that we had exited on the Thursday and drove the trail, passing behind our hotel, looking down from the mountains; to the resort below.

Sunday

A few hours by the pool, before we were collected and driven back to Lanaca airport, in the south of the island. (Ann and Steve ( Indiana) took a drive west to check out the start of another trail in anticipation of our next visit.)

In summary, fantastic value for money trip, with the flights costing £200 return each and £197 for 1 week B & B and including the vehicle rental for the week.