C172 pilot reported the aircraft engine overheated during cruise. Pilot was able to continue to their destination and landed safely.

Narrative

Flew from ZZZ to ZZZ1. On route back to ZZZ via ZZZ2 and ZZZ3. Visiting friends flying strips at Town X and Town Y which are both north of City X up the Valley. After flying past Town Y up the Valley very cognizant of Wilderness height restrictions of 2;000 ft vertically and horizontally my engine started to over heat. I am very experienced in this backcountry area and knew that the terrain was flatter and offered a much safer place to land if required instead of the steep inhospitable terrain below and behind me. When I arrived at Town Z I made a slow figure of 8 to maximize the updrafts of the westerly winds and that took me over the flat area but at about 1;000' AGL. I immediately was able to ascend and fly directly south and back to ZZZ where I had the engine examined and it was determined I had a poor cylinder and had it replaced.- The problem arose due to heat; engine wear; altitude and requiring a greater amount of risk mitigation- I knew the area intimately which made it easier to balance the risks but perhaps also allowed my thinking to be too rosy- As soon as I saw my predicament I made quick and reasonable decisions to ensure safety of pilot and plane and no risk to others although I was below the requested 2;000 ft in a Wilderness Area