"Leaving Nicosia by the ancient 'Porta del proveditore' or Kyrenia Gate, the great modern Turkish cemetery of the town with the railway station is passed on the right.

Two miserable villages of mud houses (Kumurgi, 'charcoal burners') entirely uninteresting are passed within the first few miles, and at the commencement of the steep hill which ascends through the pass of St. Catherine is placed the Police Station of Agirda.

Here visitors to the castle of St. Hilarion take a footpath on the left of the high road, having provided themselves with the key of the iron gate, without which they will find it impossible to obtain admittance. Either at Nicosia or at Kyrenia (Commissioner's Office) the key of the Castle is freely confided to respectable persons, on deposit of two shillings, which amount is returned on the safe restitution of the key.

(...)

The road is rough and stony, and for those who prefer riding mules can be sent on forehand. A very beautiful and romantic view of the castle is presented about half way on the way up...
"
from: A description of the Historic Monuments of Cyprus, George Jeffery (1918).