We did eventually find the lake on our first visit. However, by that time we were hungry so resolved to return another day. We drove to the Paphos Forest Picnic Site near Pano Panagia for our lunch, then headed back to Polemi.

The days turned into weeks, then months, and soon it was July. The decision was made, and we returned once more to the mine. Unfortunately, in the meantime, this had appeared on the road.

Now, we initially thought that the gate had been placed there by the mine owners. However, there are other, similar gates in Paphos Forest, which suggests they have been put there by the Forestry Department. Consulting the map revealed that there were in fact a network of tracks that could lead to the mine. However, when we attempted to navigate them, it became apparent that they too had been blocked, for quite some time. These barricades were a lot more substantial as well. I believe these had been placed by the mining company, presumably to ensure that there was only one entrance to the mine.

You may think you can get past that barricade by driving past the boulder on the left. You can, though if your car is a large one, it might get a bit of a scratch as you do so. However, if you do that, and continue jubilantly down the track, you will soon run into two more barricades which are impassible. And, of course, you will have to squeeze back through that gap. So take it from us, it isn't worth it.

This was the only route we found without a barricade. We made it three quarters of the way along this track. It goes along a ridge, ascending and descending many times, before finally returning to the main track. However, the quality of the track deteriorated to the extent that if I continued I wouldn't be sure I would be able to return the way I came. Normally, this isn't an insurmountable problem, but when you have already established that every other entrance to an area is either gated or barricaded, it would be foolish to throw yourself into the centre with no means of getting out again.

This left one course of action. We would have to walk. In summer, this is not a trivial activity. It gets very hot very quickly. So if you do decide to follow our tracks, take plenty of water with you.

Incidentally, I drew a line across the road, fairly close to the gate. I returned the next day, to try a different route in, and checked my line. It had been driven over several times. So the road is clearly in daily use. I wonder why they blocked it off? There are other roads blocked off too, but they aren't blocked because of the mine. When I reached the turning for the mine itself, you could see that that road hadn't been touched for ages. A mystery...

This time, when we took the mine fork, which will be on your right, we took a left turn as soon as we were able. You can see where the mine owners had again made barricades, blocking entry to the lake.