Buffavento Castle

Buffavento sits at around 950 metres on the spine of the Kyrenia range, the middle and highest of the three castles that watched the coast, and the name means defier of the winds, which is accurate. It was Byzantine in origin, used by the Lusignans as a lookout and a prison, and slighted by the Venetians, so what remains is walls, cisterns and vaulted chambers clinging to the ridge rather than a building. The reason to make the climb is that from the top you can see both coasts of the island at once.

What you actually see

• The ridge ruins - walls, cisterns and vaults spread along the summit crest.
• The double coast view - both the north and south shores visible on a clear day.
• The climb - a stepped path of several hundred metres of ascent.
• The griffon vultures - the range's remaining vultures sometimes seen from the top.

When to go

March to May and October to November are the best; summer heat makes the climb dangerous and winter cloud hides the view. Early morning gives the clearest air. Wind at the top is constant and strong.

Honest expectations

The climb is steep and takes forty minutes or more with no shade and no water on the route. The access road is rough and unsigned in places. There are no facilities, no railings and no phone signal on the ridge.

Nearby

St Hilarion is west along the range, and Kyrenia is on the coast below.