lycian way trek

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The Complete Guide to

The lycian way.

If you found yourself on this page, that means you are up for an exploration of the most popular hiking trail on the Mediterranean Coast: The Lycian Way! 

The Lycian Way is a trekking route following the traces of the ancient trade route of the Lycians along the Turkish Mediterranean coast.

This path is a creation of a woman named Kate Clow from England in the 1990s. Her idea was to create a 509-kilometer long Lycian Way from Fethiye to Antalya and to connect 18 ancient cities. When she won a competition announced by a Turkish bank with this idea, she got the financial means to implement the plan and immediately started to work on it. It took her two years to complete it.

In 1999, Turkey had its first marked long-distance hiking trail that met international standards. The prestigious British Sunday Times chose the Lycian Way as one of the   top ten hiking trails in the world.

Now that we piqued your curiosity, let's discover the information you will need before embarking on this journey...

Table of Contents

Path Markings on the Lycian Way

All start and end points of the trekking route are marked in larger towns and streets by green, white, yellow, and black signs with location and kilometer information.

The trail itself is marked with red and white lines. R ed X warn of wrong turns and saves you from the wrong path. 

Since the course of the route is subject to constant changes such as construction work or new paths, it is a great advantage not to count only on the markings, but also to make a GPS comparison in tricky situations.

For this purpose, recommended resources are mentioned at the end of the article.

Best Time for Hiking the Lycian Way

June to August are the hottest months of the year with temperatures some times over 40 degrees Celsius and are not the best time for hiking on this path because the route can be tiring.

In the winter time, it gets uncomfortably cold above certain altitudes and it can snow and become slippery. This would be a time best suited for seasoned hikers only. 

So, when is the best time to hike on Lycian Way? Experienced hikers suggest the best time to hike on the Lycian Way is in April and May, and then in September and October. So you have 4 solid months to experience this unique adventure and its easier during these temperate months.

Don't forget that carrying trekking poles, headgear, sun protection, and above all sufficient drinking water is an absolute must! 

Solo Hiking on the Lycian Way?

Solo hiking is not recommended on this path.  A companion can take care of you or get help in case of an emergency. Besides, hiking in company is much more fun. There are now plenty of offers for guided group hikes on the Lycian Way.

Emergency Numbers

For emergency calls, it makes sense to take a fully charged smartphone with you, even if there is sometimes no signal in the mountains. Dial 112 to call the emergency doctor, or 115 to call the police. With an appropriate app, a cell phone can also serve as a GPS device. 

Necessary Preparation

The Lycian Way is becoming increasingly popular every year. 

A growing number of trekking fans from all over the world want to explore this long-distance trail, which is not technically very demanding, but nevertheless sometimes very challenging. Alpine knowledge is not absolutely necessary, but a good physical condition, as well as a head for heights are absolutely basic requirements to pass here. The trail frequently goes up and down and in parts is very steep. The path is sometimes very narrow and, it must be said, sometimes much too close to the cliff.

The reward for the effort is, of course, wonderful, unspoiled nature and spectacular panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea all the way to the horizon.

On the Road

Today, after more than 20 years, Likya Yolu , as the Lycian Way is called in Turkish, has been a well-known name among the locals and has also become a new source of income. Many inexpensive guesthouses and restaurants have sprung up along the route. The extremely hospitable people no longer wonder why these strange foreigners are able to afford a plane ticket, but walk around packed like a pack mule. What makes the Lycian Way appealing to any vacationer in Turkey is the fact that it winds along very close to tourist centers . Not only with  Fethiye and Antalya as starting and ending points, but popular destinations like Kalkan , Kaş , Demre and the coastal strip Kemer,  with resorts are a stone's throw away. Even if you are not an enthusiastic hiker, the Lycian Way is a great day trip full of interesting sights to add some adventure and activity to your beach vacation.

The 4 Sections of the Lycian Way

You don't have to do the whole 509 km long Lycian Way. It is possible to hike along parts of it. Here are four routes with particularly impressive scenery.

1. Starting Point Fethiye

Those staying in the Fethiye area can consider the first stage of the Lycian Way, which leads from Ovacık to Faralya.

The 13.5-kilometer route takes about five hours.

The first half of the way to the village of Kozağacı is steadily uphill with an altitude of over 730 meters, but the magnificent views of Ölüdeniz turquoise lagoon on the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding countryside quickly make you forget the effort.

Countless paragliders from all over the world come to jump from the nearly 2,000-meter-high Babadağ and make a beautiful picture to the left with the sea to the right. You reach Kozağacı after 6.5 kilometers and Kirme after another 4 kilometers.

In both villages there are small roadside cafés offering refreshments and inviting you to rest. The road then descends in sometimes steep and narrow switchbacks, later turning into a piste and ending in the village of Faralya, perched above the steeply sloping Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi).

The sight of this valley, which is a protected nature reserve, and indeed all of the scenery around it, is simply unforgettable. Although a small path leads down to the valley on the eastern side of the apparently vertical wall, it is not necessarily recommended for inexperienced hikers without alpine experience.

2. UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 18 kilometers of Sandy Beaches, and a Picturesque Plateau

For visitors to the area around Patara , Kalkan, and  Kaş , there are four sections that are particularly beautiful. A 16-kilometer section without any notable climbs leads to the ruins of Pydnai via the remains of  Letoon  to the excavation site of Xanthos  and takes five hours from. It is highly recommended, especially for those interested in archaeology.   Letoon and Xanthos have been UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites since 1988. Another 14-kilometer section takes you mostly downhill from Akbel to the ruins and the 18-kilometer long, partly deserted sandy  beach in Patara   in just over four hours. On the way there are impressive views of the bay of Kalkan and the hinterland of the Lycian Peninsula. The highlight of this hike is certainly a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Patara beach is closed from mid-June to mid-August, because during this time the hawksbill turtle comes ashore here to lay its eggs. In the third section, 800 sweaty meters of altitude have to be overcome over nine kilometers. The reward is breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea stretching to the horizon and the charming Bezirgan plateau. Another route leads from the ruins of Phellos at an altitude of 860 meters, partly steeply downhill to Kaş. Towards the end of the relatively short 8.5 kilometers section, the panoramic view of the resort on the Mediterranean Sea and the nearby Greek islands will fascinate you.

3. Nicholas Theater and Rock Tombs

On the 18.5-kilometer stretch between Üçağız and Demre, which takes about six hours of pure walking time, several sights await you.

A medieval castle towers above the fishing village of Kaleköy, the former Simena , and a sarcophagus rises out of the water in the middle of the small bay.

Next are the ruins of Andriake, the old port of the ancient city of Myra , today called Demre or Kale.

Without a doubt, the church of St. Nicholas , who was born in Patara around 300 AD and later lived here, as well as the colossal theater and the fascinating rock tombs of Myra are the highlights of this tour and absolutely worth seeing.

4. Eternal Flames, Cable Car Ride, Swimming Next to Ancient Ruins, and a Canyon

Those staying in Antalya or Kemer and its seaside resorts have plenty of choices for a taste of the Lycian Way. The nearly 15-kilometer, seven-hour section between Adrasan and Çıralı passes the  ruins of Olympos and offers plenty of freshening up in the sea. The section from Çıralı in the direction of Ulupınar/Beycik offers a special natural display kilometer 5.5. The Eternal  Flames of Chimaira have been burning since ancient times. Documented stories of the flames are more than 2,500 years old. But it's not a fire-breathing monster, as legend would have us believe. Rather, it is a special natural gas mixture that ignites itself when it comes into contact with air. The sight of the flames is particularly beautiful after dark. An alternative 14-kilometer coastal route  leads to Tekirova in about seven hours. From there, you can take a trip by  Dolmuş to the valley station of the  Olympos cable car . The ten-minute ride takes you from 726 meters at the valley station to a high 2,365 meters at Tahlalı Dağ mountain peak. The view from there is simply breathtaking. Another section can be started in the town of Göynük and ends in  Göynük Canyon , about four kilometers away. A high ropes course and opportunities for canyoning offer sporting variety here.

Literature on the Lycian Way

Conrad Stein Verlag's website offers  a free download of a GPS track to the guidebooks mentioned below (GPS device or smartphone with app).

Kate Clow – The Lycian Way 

The book by the concept founder of the Lycian Way is the standard work for this hike. 

Upcountry (Turkey) Ltd. - ISBN 978-0-9539218-6-7

Michael Hennemann - Turkey: Lycian way from Fethiye to Antalya

The guide for hikes along the Lycian Way in German.

Conrad Stein Verlag GmbH - ISBN 978-3-86686-557-0

Find your way on the Lycian Way with these free online maps that will help you locate yourself.

www.map-site.de

The two topographical hiking maps Lycia West and East on a scale of 1: 50,000 with route and contour lines. 

www.opencyclemap.org

Free online maps with contour lines for hikes along the Lycian Way are available here.

www.maps.de

Map sections are available on the website for offline use without the Internet.

Request for Guided Hikes

We are happy to arrange guided group hikes along the Lycian Way. 

For individual tours we can arrange a certified local hiking guide. We are happy help you explore possible the options and can give advice in our first conversation for free.

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Home > Hiking The Lycian Way In Turkey: A Complete Guide

Hiking The Lycian Way In Turkey: A Complete Guide

Written by our local expert Nicky

Nicky, originally from the UK, is now a local in Turkey. She moved to Marmaris, Türkiye for love 12 years ago and is now your Turkey travel planner.

Named after the Lycian civilization that once thrived in this region, the Lycian Way meanders through jaw-dropping coastal scenery, charming villages, and numerous archaeological sites. Discover how to hike this amazing path in this guide!

Some people are very energetic. I want to point out that it’s not me, but some people are, and if that’s you, I commend you. Your energetic nature means you get to go out there and see more. If you’re in Turkey, that energetic side will undoubtedly reward you, especially when it comes to hiking the Lycian Way .

Turkey isn’t all about shopping and chilling on the beach . Those are perfect things to do, of course, but there’s so much more to it than that. Turkey is a very outdoorsy country, and if you have a good pair of hiking boots, you’ll find some amazing trails.

One of those is the world-famous Lycian Way, a 520km/323-mile long-distance trail that will show you some of the most spectacular sights along with a hefty dose of history along the way.

So, if you’re feeling the need to experience a little adrenaline, keep reading!

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

What Is The Lycian Way? A Long-Distance Trekking Route

Along the south Turkish coastline , you’ll find the Lycian Way, a 520 kilometer (323-mile) long footpath that is a true gem for outdoor enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

The Lycian Way, or Likya Yolu in Turkish, traces its origins back to ancient times. Named after the Lycian civilization that once thrived in this region, the path meanders through jaw-dropping coastal scenery, charming villages, and numerous archaeological sites. Dating as far back as the 3rd century BCE, Lycia’s rich history is evident in the fascinating ruins left behind by the Lycians.

Reviving forgotten trails and ancient paths, the Lycian Way was created in 1999 by a woman named Kate Clow, a British writer and explorer who sought to showcase the beauty and heritage of this remarkable area. This ambitious project not only became Turkey’s first long distance footpath but also one of the most renowned walking trails in the world. Today, the Lycian Way attracts adventurers from all corners of the globe, eager to immerse themselves in the magic of this historical and natural wonderland.

The trail takes you through diverse landscapes, ranging from rugged coastal cliffs to untamed forests and idyllic sandy beaches. You’ll find magnificent vistas, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and fragrant pine forests that stretch as far as the eye can see. The trail also winds through stunning geological formations, such as the Chimera flames, ancient rock tombs, and the awe-inspiring Mount Olympos.

If you’re into history, you’re in luck. Along the route, you will encounter well-preserved Lycian ruins, including Xanthos, Patara, and Myra. Marvel at the grandeur of the ancient cities, witness intricate rock-cut tombs, and stroll through the remnants of amphitheaters and fortresses that once stood as a testament to Lycian civilization’s prowess.

Who Is The Lycian Way Suitable For?

This scenic route is suitable for a wide range of adventurers, from seasoned trekkers looking for a challenge to casual hikers seeking a leisurely escape from nature. While certain sections of the trail can be demanding due to steep ascents and descents, there are also more relaxed portions that offer gentle pathways and tranquil surroundings. Basically, the Lycian Way caters to individuals with different fitness levels and hiking preferences.

Of course, you don’t have to hike all of it either. You can head to the starting point in Oludeniz, walk a short distance until you get tired, and then go back. Then, you can say that you walked some of the Lycian Way! You can probably guess that’s precisely what I did the first time before choosing to be a bit more adventurous after that.

Lycian Way Route

As you travel across Turkey’s stunning Mediterranean coastline between Fethiye to Antalya, the Lycian Way passes through various towns and villages, each offering its own unique charm and cultural heritage.

Here are some notable towns and villages you may encounter along the Lycian Way route:

Ölüdeniz, Fethiye

This is the starting point of the trail. Fethiye is a vibrant coastal town known for its beautiful harbor, lively markets, ancient ruins like the Lycian rock tombs, and the famous Oludeniz Beach.

• Where To Stay In Fethiye

This ghost town is an abandoned Greek village from the early 20th century, featuring UNESCO-protected ruins and a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. I’d highly recommend you stop here and check out the sights.

• Must See Landmarks & Historical Places In Turkey

Village Of Faralya

Perched atop high cliffs, Faralya offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s an excellent spot for observing butterfly migrations and enjoying the tranquillity of nature.

Hidden among lush greenery and turquoise coves, Kabak is known for its pristine beaches, camping spots, and laid-back hippie vibe.

The ancient city of Patara boasts an impressive 18-kilometer long sandy beach , well-preserved Roman ruins, and a nesting ground for endangered loggerhead sea turtles.

A charming coastal town, Kalkan is famous for its narrow streets, colorful houses, rooftop restaurants, and lovely marina.

Kaş is a picturesque town offering a mix of historical sites, stunning diving opportunities, boat trips to nearby islands, and vibrant nightlife. Here, you will find world-famous Kaputas Beach, where I definitely recommend stopping for a swim.

• Things To Do In Kas

Demre is home to the well-preserved ancient city of Myra , with its famous Lycian rock-cut tombs and the Church of St. Nicholas, the original inspiration for Santa Claus.

The final destination of the Lycian Way, Antalya is a bustling city with a rich history , beautiful beaches, a charming old town (Kaleiçi), and plenty of vibrant shopping and dining options.

• Where To Stay In Antalya

The trail winds its way through ancient Lycian cities, Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, and remote villages. From the spectacular views of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea to the awe-inspiring landscapes of soaring cliffs, pine forests, and idyllic beaches, this trail showcases nature’s beauty in all its glory.

You can expect a variety of surfaces, including loose rocks, narrow pathways, and occasional muddy sections during wetter seasons. While some stages might require surefootedness and a good level of physical fitness, there are also parts where you can relax and enjoy more accessible trails.

It’s important to note that the Lycian Way is not a manicured or heavily maintained route, which adds to its adventurous appeal.

The good news is that the trail is well-marked with signposts, wooden trail markers, and helpful guidebooks to assist you along the way. Several campsites, guesthouses, and small villages are also available where you can find accommodations and replenish supplies. It’s a good idea to carry enough water and snacks for the day, as well as a sturdy backpack to carry personal belongings .

Overall, the Lycian Way offers a range of experiences, from day hikes to multi-day treks. It’s a versatile trail that can be enjoyed by solo hikers, couples, families, or groups of friends.

Brands We Use And Trust

Sights to see as you hike the lycian way.

For me, the best thing about the Lycian Way is the freedom it gives you. You don’t necessarily have to race from sight to sight because the whole thing is a sight in itself. The panoramic views and countryside you move through are enough to give you plenty of photo opportunities and wow moments.

However, there are some notable things you should have on your visit list. Here are my recommendations:

Patara Beach

A couple of hours on Patara Beach is a must-do. This is a 12-kilometer stretch of pristine shoreline. With its golden sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, it’s the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun.

Ancient City Of Xanthos

As you wander along the Lycian Way, make sure to explore the ancient city of Xanthos. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is brimming with history, featuring ruins of grand amphitheaters, necropolises, and elaborate tombs. Imagine the stories that unfolded within these ancient walls.

Saklikent Gorge

This impressive natural wonder is one of the deepest canyons in the world, offering stunning views of towering cliffs and the rushing waters of the Esen River. It’s also probably the coolest place to be during the summer months, for which you’ll probably be grateful. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the sheer beauty of this place!

Butterfly Valley

Nestled between two towering cliffs, Butterfly Valley is a hidden gem along the Lycian Way. This tranquil paradise is home to over 80 butterfly species, making it a must-visit spot for nature enthusiasts. Take a leisurely swim in the crystal-clear waters or unwind while surrounded by the lush greenery and cascading waterfalls.

Ancient City Of Myra

No visit to the Lycian Way is complete without a stop at the ancient city of Myra. Explore the well-preserved Roman theatre, rock-cut tombs, and the magnificent Church of Saint Nicholas. Whether you’re a history buff or intrigued by ancient civilizations, this archaeological site will leave you in awe.

As you approach the end of your journey, make sure to pass by the famed Olympos. This ancient city boasts a unique blend of historical ruins and beautiful beaches. Take a detour to explore the Roman ruins, hike up to ancient tombs overlooking the sea (if you have any energy left), or relax on the picturesque beach.

Remember, the Lycian Way has countless other hidden gems along its path . As you embark on your adventure, embrace the unexpected surprises that come your way.

Accommodation Options During Your Hike

It’s essential to plan your accommodation carefully when hiking the entire route, especially during the warmer weather months when the trail can be busy. Luckily, there are a variety of unique and exciting options available.

Traditional Guesthouses

You’ll come across several quaint villages that provide traditional Turkish guesthouses known as “pansiyons.” These accommodations are usually family-run and offer cozy rooms, warm hospitality, and delicious homemade meals. Staying in a traditional guesthouse allows you to immerse yourself in local culture, interact with friendly locals, and get a taste of authentic Turkish life.

A few of my recommendations include:

• The Olive Tree Inn: Nestled amidst a beautiful olive grove, The Olive Tree Inn offers cozy accommodations to rest your head and feet. With its traditional stone architecture and wooden interiors, this guesthouse provides a charming and rustic experience. 
• The Lycian Lodge: Situated in a picturesque village, The Lycian Lodge is known for its authentic Lycian atmosphere. The guesthouse features traditional wooden rooms with spectacular mountain views.
• The Mountain View Retreat: As the name suggests, The Mountain View Retreat offers sensational views of the Lycian Mountains. The guesthouse combines traditional architecture with modern amenities to provide a comfortable stay.

Of course, there are countless more, but these are three good options to get you started and give you an idea of what to expect from Lycian Way accommodation.

If you’re seeking a closer connection with nature, camping is a popular option along the Lycian Way. The trail provides plenty of camping spots, both designated and wild, where you can pitch your tent and enjoy starry nights under the open sky.

If you’re seeking an authentic and immersive cultural experience, homestays are an excellent choice. In some villages along the Lycian Way, locals open their homes to travelers, offering a chance to stay with a Turkish family, share meals, and learn about local traditions.

Food & Drink

There are many food and drink options along the Lycian Way. Along the way, you can indulge in delicious kebabs , flavorful mezes (appetizers) , freshly caught seafood, and delectable baklava for dessert . Don’t forget to try the refreshing ayran, a traditional yogurt-based drink, or the solid and aromatic Turkish tea.

Along the trail, you will encounter charming villages that offer authentic, hearty homemade meals. The warm hospitality of the locals will make your dining experience even more enjoyable.

You’ll also find numerous roadside stalls and bustling markets. Here, you can grab a fresh and juicy orange to quench your thirst or try a gözleme, a traditional Turkish flatbread filled with savory goodness like cheese, spinach, or minced meat. For those who need an extra energy boost, you can find a variety of nuts, dried fruits, and homemade energy bars that are perfect for on-the-go snacking.

There are also several small shops where you can replenish your supplies, but all of this is a lot more accessible during the warmer months.

If you choose to hike the Lycian Way during the winter, you will find far less in the way of food and drink options, so remember to pack accordingly and stock up when you come across a town or village.

• Tasty Drinks To Try In Turkey
• Best Food To Eat In Turkey

When Is The Best Time To Hike The Lycian Way?

Springtime, from April to May, is an excellent opportunity to hike the Lycian Way, and this is the time I recommend the most. During this period, temperatures are quite pleasant, ranging from mild to warm, making it comfortable for extensive hiking. You can expect averages in the low to mid-20s during the day, but evenings do drop quite chilly.

At this time, the Lycian coast bursts into life with vibrant wildflowers, so it’s an excellent time for photography. Of course, springtime ensures lower visitor numbers compared to the summer months, so you can fully appreciate the tranquil beauty of the landscape without having to move out of someone’s way every five minutes.

• Spring In Turkey

On the other hand, if you prefer warmer weather and the chance to take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters, hiking the Lycian Way in the summer, specifically from June to August, might be your ideal choice. However, it’s important to note that temperatures can soar during these months, reaching highs of 40°C. Personally, I’d avoid these hottest months; yes, the weather is fantastic, but it’s incredibly tiring.

If you decide on a summer trip, starting your hikes early in the morning or late in the afternoon will help you avoid the scorching midday heat.

Additionally, summer is the peak tourist season, so be prepared for larger crowds and potentially busier trails. Also, there isn’t a whole lot of shade along the trail, so definitely take a hat and plenty of water.

• Summer In Turkey

Autumn, from September to October, offers a middle ground if you’re seeking a balance between favorable weather conditions and fewer tourists. The temperatures start to cool down, providing a comfortable climate for long days of hiking—you can expect mid to low 20s as the months roll on.

The summer crowds begin to disperse, allowing you to explore the trail at a more leisurely pace, immerse yourself in the surroundings, and interact with locals along the way. Another advantage of hiking in autumn is the stunning transformation of the trees as they gradually transition into vivid shades of golden orange and fiery red.

If you are a more adventurous hiker and enjoy a unique experience, tackling the Lycian Way during the winter months, from November to March, could be your cup of tea. However, it is essential to note that winter brings cooler temperatures, occasional rainfall, and even some snowfall in the higher elevations. Trails might be muddy and slippery, so proper gear, including waterproof shoes and warm clothing, is essential.

For sure, hiking during this time offers solitude and a chance to witness the landscape in a different light. The crisp air and snow-covered mountain peaks will provide a magical touch to your journey. However, there may be a lot less availability in terms of accommodation and food, so plan ahead very carefully. I’d say that winter hiking is really only for the very experienced.

• Winter In Turkey

10 Tips For Hiking The Lycian Way

Before you don your hiking boots and set off along the Lycian Way, here are my top ten tips:

1. Plan And Prepare

Before embarking on the Lycian Way, research the route thoroughly, understand the difficulty level of the trail sections, and gather all necessary equipment, such as sturdy hiking boots, clothing layers, a map, a compass, and enough food and water for the duration of your hike. You can never be too prepared!

2. Start With Shorter Sections

If you’re new to hiking or have limited abilities, consider beginning with shorter and more manageable sections of the Lycian Way. This way, you can gradually acclimate to the trail and assess your comfort level before committing to longer portions.

3. Listen To Your Body

Pay attention to how your body feels during the hike. If you’re feeling tired or experiencing pain, it’s important to rest and take breaks as needed. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to exhaustion or injuries, which can ruin your hiking experience.

4. Pace Yourself

The Lycian Way hike in Turkey offers a variety of terrains, from steeply ascents to rocky descents. It’s essential to pace yourself accordingly, especially during uphill sections. Take small steps, maintain a steady rhythm, and don’t be afraid to take breaks to catch your breath.

5. Use Trekking Poles

Trekking poles can provide stability and support while hiking, especially on uneven terrains. They help distribute your body weight and lessen the strain on your knees and joints, allowing you to hike more comfortably and with reduced risk of injury.

6. Carry Emergency Supplies

Safety should be a priority. Pack a basic first aid kit, a whistle, a headlamp, a lighter, and a fully charged phone in case of emergencies. It’s always better to be prepared for the unexpected.

7. Stay Hydrated And Refuel

Remember to drink enough water during your hike to stay adequately hydrated, especially in hot weather. Carry extra water bottles or a water filtration system to ensure a continuous supply. Also, pack energizing snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and energy bars to keep your energy levels up.

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8. Protect Yourself From The Sun

The Lycian Way offers stunning coastal views but also has very little shade. Protect your skin by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with a high SPF. Additionally, consider wearing lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs to minimize sunburn and heatstroke risks.

• Best Sun Hats For Protection & Style

9. Respect The Environment

The Lycian Way is known for its pristine beauty, and it’s essential to keep it that way. Follow the principles of Leave No Trace, which include packing out all your garbage, sticking to established trails, and avoiding disturbing wildlife or plants.

10. Enjoy The Journey

Last but not least, remember that hiking the Lycian Way is not just about reaching the destination. Take your time, connect with nature, and truly enjoy the journey.

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Lycian Way FAQs

What is the lycian way.

The Lycian Way is a long-distance hiking trail located in southwestern Turkey. It stretches along the coast of the ancient region of Lycia, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, rugged mountains, and historical sites.

How long does it take to complete the Lycian Way?

The entire Lycian Way can typically take 29 days to complete (and up to 45), depending on your pace and the number of detours you take to explore nearby attractions. However, it is also possible to tackle shorter sections of the trail based on your preferences and available time.

Is it necessary to have prior hiking experience?

While having prior hiking experience can be helpful, it is not necessary to complete the Lycian Way. The trail is well-marked with red and white painted markers, and there are various levels of difficulty, allowing hikers of different skill levels to choose their desired route.

When is the best time to hike the Lycian Way?

The best time to hike the Lycian Way is generally during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November). The temperatures during these seasons are usually mild, making it more comfortable to hike. However, it’s essential to be prepared for variable weather conditions and check local forecasts before embarking on your journey.

Are there accommodations along the trail?

Yes, there are a variety of accommodation options available along the Lycian Way. These include guesthouses, campgrounds, and even opportunities to stay with local families in some villages. It is advisable to plan your accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons, or consider carrying camping gear if you prefer to camp.

Are there refueling points along the trail?

Yes, there are several villages and towns along the Lycian Way where you can find cafes,  grocery stores, and restaurants along the way to refuel and restock supplies. It’s recommended to carry enough water and snacks with you for the stretches between these points, especially during hot weather.

What should I pack for the Lycian Way?

Some essential items to pack for the Lycian Way include sturdy hiking shoes, comfortable clothing suitable for layering, a backpack, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a first aid kit, a good map or GPS device, and a water bottle. It’s also advisable to carry some cash, as credit card acceptance can be limited in some areas.

Is it possible to hike the Lycian Way independently?

Yes, it is possible to hike the Lycian Way independently. The trail is well-marked, and there is a website and guidebook available that provide detailed information about the route. However, it’s always a good idea to inform someone about your plans and check for any updates or changes before setting off.

Can I hire a guide to hike the Lycian Way?

Yes, if you prefer to have a local guide or would like additional support, you can hire a professional guide or join guided group tours to hike the Lycian Way. This can be a great option if you’re seeking more in-depth knowledge about the region’s history, culture, and natural beauty.

Are there any safety precautions to consider while hiking the Lycian Way?

It’s essential to stay hydrated and carry ample water, especially during hot summer months. Additionally, take appropriate precautions against ticks, wear sunscreen, and be mindful of your surroundings. Always follow the trail markings and inform someone about your plans, especially if hiking alone.

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Lycian Way - Routes, book, map, guided&self-guided programs, GPS, locals

• _Fethiye-Kas (West Paths)
• __1 - Fethiye Ovacik-Faralya-Butterfly Valley-Kabak
• __2 - Kabak-Alinca-Bogazici-Sidyma
• __3 - Sidyma-Dodurga-Bel-Belcegiz-Gavuragili-Pydnai
• __4 - Pydnai-Letoon-Kumluova-Kinik-Xanthos-Cavdir-Uzumlu
• __5 - Uzumlu-Akbel-Kalkan-Bezirgan-Saribelen
• __6 - Saribelen-Gokceoren-Hacioglan-Phellos-Cukurbag
• __7 - Cukurbag-Kas
• _Antalya-Kas (Mt.Tahtali East Paths)
• __1 - Hisarcandir-Goynuk
• __2 - Goynuk-Goynuk Yayla-Gedelme-Yayla Kuzdere
• __3 - Yayla Kuzdere-Mt.Tahtali-Beycik-Ulupinar
• __4 - Ulupinar-Chimaera-Cirali-Olympos-Mt.Musa
• __5 - Mt.Musa-Adrasan-Gelidonya Lighthouse-Karaoz
• __6 - Karaoz-Mavikent-Kumluca-Finike
• __7 - Finike-Belos-Kırkmerdiven
• __8 - Kirkmerdiven-Alakilise-Zeytin-Beloren-Myra/Demre
• __9 - Demre/Myra-Gurses-Cayagiz/Andriake
• __10 - Cayagiz/Andriake-Kapakli-Kalekoy/Simena-Ucagiz
• __11 - Ucagiz-Aperlae-Kilicli-Bogazcik
• __12 - Bogazcik-Ufakdere-Limanagzi-Kas
• _Antalya Goynuk-Tekirova-Cirali/Olympos (Coastal Paths)
• __1/2 - Goynuk-Goynuk Yayla-Roman Bridge
• __3 - Roman Bridge-Kuzdere-Phaselis-Tekirova
• __4 - Tekirova-Maden Bay-Cirali-Olympos
• _Fethiye-Karadere-Xanthos (Mugla Sections) West-1
• __01 - Fethiye-Kayakoy-Ovacik
• __02 - Ovacik-Kozagaç-Faralya
• __03 - Faralya-Kabak
• __04A - Kabak Valley-Alinca
• __04B - Kabak Beach-Waterfall-Alinca
• __05An - Alinca-Sidyma-Bel(UpdatedRoute)
• __05Bn - Alinca-Ge-Bel (UpdatedRoute)
• __06n - Bel-Gavuragili-Pydnai-Ozlen (UpdatedRoute)
• __7 - Ozlen (Pydnai)-Letoon-Xanthos
• _Xanthos-Kas (Antalya Sections) West-2
• __08 - Xanthos (Kinik)-Cavdir-Caykoy-Uzumlu
• __09A - Uzumlu-Akbel-Sarnicbasi-Bezirgan (Patara Bypass)
• __09B - Uzumlu-Delikkemer-Patara-Gelemis-Kalkan
• __09C - Kalkan-Sarnicbasi-Bezirgan
• __10n - Bezirgan-Saribelen-Gokceoren (UpdatedRoute)
• __11n - Gokceoren-Hacioglan-Phellos-Cukurbag (UpdatedRoute)
• __12 - Cukurbag-Kas
• _Kas-Kekova-Demre / CentralLycia-1
• __13A - Kas-Limanagzi UPPER-Ufakdere-Uzumlu Coast
• __13B - Kas-Limanagzi COAST-Ufakdere-Uzumlu
• __14 - Uzumlu-Bogazcik
• __15 - Bogazcik-Aperlai
• __16 - Aperlai-Uçagiz-Kalekoy
• __17y - Kalekoy-Kapakli Village-Cayagzi (UpdatedRoute)
• __18A - Cayagzi-Kapakli-Hoyran-Davazlar (NewRoute)
• __18B - Davazlar-Trysa-Gurses-Myra-Demre (NewRoute)
• __18C - Davazlar-Trysa-Demre Gorge-Demre (NewRoute)
• __18D - Çayagzi-Gurses-Trebenda-Myra-Demre (UpdatedRoute)
• _Demre-Finike-Kumluca-Karaöz / CentralLycia-2
• __19 - Myra-Demre-Beloren-Alakilise-Finike
• __20 - Finike-Kumluca-Karaoz
• _Karaoz-Adrasan-Cirali / East-1
• __21 - Karaoz-Gelidonya Lighthouse-Adrasan
• __22 - Adrasan-Olympos-Cirali
• _Cirali-Goynuk / East-2
• __23A-TAHTALI - Cirali-Chimaera-Ulupinar-Beycik
• __24A-TAHTALI - Beycik-Mt.Tahtali-Yayla Kuzdere
• __25A-TAHTALI - Yayla Kuzdere-Gedelme-Goynuk Yayla
• __23B-TEKIROVA - Cirali-Maden Bay-Tekirova
• __23B2-TEKIROVA - Cirali-Maden Bay/Kızılan-Tekirova
• __24B-TEKIROVA - Tekirova-Phaselis-Kuzdere
• __25B-TEKIROVA - Kuzdere-Roman Bridge-Goynuk Yayla
• _Goynuk-Geyikbayiri-Doyran / East-3
• __26 - Goynuk Yayla-Goynuk
• __27 - Goynuk-Elmayani Yaylasi
• __28NEW - Elmayani-Ucsogut-Hisarcandir-Citdibi
• __28OLD - Elmayani-Hisarcandir-Citdibi
• __28ANT - Elmayani-Konyaaltı FINISH
• __29 - Citdibi-Geyikbayiri
• __30WARNING - Geyikbayırı-Doyran-Neapolis-Aşağı Karaman
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Published!!! Lycian Way Guide Book - Lycian Way "Step by Step"

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Hiking the Lycian Way: A Complete Guide

How long is the lycian way long-distance trail, how long does it take to hike the complete lycian way, how difficult is the lycian way.

• What's the best time of year to hike the Lycian Way?

Butterfly Valley

The ancient city of xanthos, patara beach, what to pack for hiking the lycian way, the lycian way: know before you go.

• Hike the Lycian Way solo or with a small group tour

What's the best time of year to hike the Lycian Way?

Highlights of turkey's lycian way.

Oludeniz (The Blue Lagoon)

Located near the western end of the lycian way at fethiye, the blue lagoon is one of the most popular destinations along the turquoise coast. a gorgeous, crescent beach of pure white sand faces a still lagoon of dazzling blue water, where you can swim, snorkel, and even scuba dive. the surrounding mountains make for great paragliding as well. if you're just starting on your lycian way trek, it's worth pausing for an afternoon (or longer) at this beautiful beach. if you're nearing the end of the trek coming from the opposite direction, relaxing for an afternoon soaking up the sun and enjoying the beach is a well-earned reward..

• Sturdy and comfortable hiking boots
• Trekking/hiking poles
• Lightweight clothing (moisture-wicking, breathable)
• Layers (warm jacket, hat, gloves, etc.) for chilly nights and mornings
• Waterproof jacket and rain gear
• Sun protection (sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses)
• Comfortable backpack (size depends on whether you're mostly doing day trips or hiking the entire Lycian Way)
• Cell phone and charger
• Water bottle
• First-aid kit
• Internet : While some villages may have internet access, the majority of the Lycian Way route goes through rural areas where a connection is weak or non-existent. Plan accordingly for downloading or using digital maps.
• Accommodations : Along with camping, Lycian Way hikers typically spend nights in affordable "pansiyon" guest houses or boarding houses in villages along the way. These are simple but comfortable accommodations, with the hosts sometimes offering breakfast in the morning.
• Safety : With its warm hospitality, welcoming locals and low crime, Turkey ranks high on solo travellers' lists for safe destinations. Thru-hikers or day-hikers can feel safe and secure exploring the Lycian Way and the Turquoise Coast on their own, but it's still a good idea to undertake the route with a companion in case an accident happens and you need help.
• Infrastructure : Apart from path markers, the Lycian Way is a largely undeveloped trail with no bathrooms or trail structures.
• Water : There are water spouts and wells located along the route (mainly close to villages) so you'll want to stock up on water whenever you get the chance. Take a refillable bottle with you – we’d recommend one with a strong filter  so you can drink (fresh) water wherever you go.
• Cost : You don't need to pay any fees or permits to hike the Lycian Way, so costs will vary depending on how much you want to "rough it". A night in a guesthouse will typically cost around £20, and meals cost between £10-£12.

Hike the Lycian Way solo or with a small-group tour

View our turkey walking trips, hiking turkey's lycian way.

Walking Turkey's Turquoise Coast

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Thy Lycian Way hike in Turkey: from Fethiye to Kabak

We take you with us on the first 3 days of the Lycian way in Turkey and we give you lots of information to prepare this trek as well as possible

Last Update: 18/01/2024 15 COMMENTS

After a rather smooth start of our trip in Turkey with the visit of very beautiful (but quite busy) sites like Ephesus or Pamukkale , we thought it was time to put those legs to work and enjoy the weather in May (which is quite pleasant in Turkey 😉 ).

You may have noticed that if we often choose to walk for several days with our camping gear in our backpacks, it is because the slower pace of hiking allows us to take the time to enjoy the landscapes, meet people and get away from the crowds (and also to have a little break from our computers, which is not bad now and then). So it was with this desire to get lost in Turkey that we set out in search of a beautiful Turkish hike that we could do for about a week… and that’s how we came across the Lycian way .

It is by doing some research on the net that we came across this website which lists about 20 long distance hikes in Turkey. As we were in the southwest of the country, the Lycian way immediately caught our attention (especially since it is often mentioned as one of the most beautiful long-distance treks in the world…. just that!)

What’s the lycian way?

Itinerary and map of the lycian way.

• Infrastructures (accomodation, food, water)
• When to do the lycian way?
• Useful gear
• Day 1: Fethiye – Kayaköy – Ölüdeniz
• Day 2: Kirme – Faralya

Day 3: Kabak – Alinca

It is a hiking itinerary that covers more than 400 km between Fethiye and Antalya in southwest Turkey. This trek is a rather unique combination of Mediterranean landscapes along the turquoise coast, fairly mountainous passages, paradisiac beaches and above all ancient Lycian ruins that date back more than 2000 years. This route (the 1st of its kind in Turkey) is the work of Kate Clow , an English woman living in Antalya, passionate about hiking and history who was convinced that Turkey should have long-distance treks (whereas the Turks were not really known as great hikers).

Beaches, mountains, turquoise waters, ancient ruins… all this far from the crowds. That was all it took to convince us to hike a part of the Lycian way. So we decided to leave from the small seaside town of Fethiye and hike for about a week (there are still other places we would like to see in Turkey… so if we hike a months… ).

As you will see below, the Lycian Way did not disappoint us, far from it!

By the way, if you already want a little preview in pictures before the practical infos, Fabienne has made you a little video of our 6 days on the Lycian way (sorry about the french 😉 … if you insist we might add some subtitles) :

Get ready for the lycian way: useful infos

Obviously, before starting a hike of several days in a country you don’t know and whose language you don’t speak, you have to prepare yourself a minimum. But don’t worry, this trek doesn’t really require any special preparation and there are very complete resources on the web to help you.

Here is how it works:

• Current Datase t: In our case, we obviously use the Lycian Way dataset but there are also other treks available (including one in Cappadocia that we will certainly test).
• Active Route : Each dataset has several routes. For example, we didn’t want to do the entire lycian route so we chose the road from Fethiye to Kas as our base.
• Offline Map : You have the possibility to buy the trek databsets to have an offline access (in the map tab especially). We bought the Dataset of the Lycian way but honestly we could have done without it because we had almost always 4G (obviously it will depend on your phone subscription).
• Trail : Tab that gives you written information about the active stage. This tab is updated according to your gps position as you progress. You will find information about the route but also a lot of interesting information about the places you visit, accommodation, bivouac spots, water points etc…
• Map : Certainly the tab you will use the most since it displays the gps trace of the trek on the map. You will also find lots of pins with information on accommodation, villages, supermarkets, water points, bivouac spots and much more.

The dataset of the lycian way is very detailed and regularly updated. Frankly, with that in your pocket, you can’t get lost.

In addition to TrailSmart we also used our beloved Maps.me because we sometimes find information on bivouac spots or viewpoints that are not on TrailSmart (see our bivouac spot on the 1st evening)

As a “simpler” alternative, we recommend you the excellent application AllTrails (the one we use daily for our hikes since 2019). You can also import our tracks and/or create your own super easily. To download our routes (more than 30 formats to choose from), you just need to create an account (free). To access them offline you can either upgrade to an AllTrails+ account (20€ per year via this link instead of 29,9€), or stay in free and export the tracks in KML format and import them into Maps.Me.

Infrastructures on the lycian way (accomodation, food, water)

The lycian way can be done entirely without tents and by staying in village pensions on the way (TrailSmart information is very up-to-date for accommodations). On our side, we still prefer to have our camping gear with us. Honestly, the bivouac spots we saw on our way were quite nice (it would be a shame to miss this) and that it is also a way to be more independent and spend less money.

As for food , there is a lot of minimarket in the villages or even small restaurants. We had planned 4 meals with us and a lot of snacks (which also work as breakfast) and frankly we could have had less. My advice would be to always have at least 1 meal in the bag just in case but in general, you won’t have any problem finding something to eat on the way. So it is not necessary to load yourself with too much food, especially since a meal does not cost much in Turkey (especially in the small villages of the Lycian way).

For water , always make sure you have a little more water than you think you need. It can be very hot on the Lycian way (in May for us it went up to almost 30 degrees) and there are practically no rivers. You can refuel in the villages at the shops or fountains indicated on TrailSmart. But if we knew that we wouldn’t necessarily have a lot of water over a day (or that we were planning to bivouac), we were always careful and we carried up to 3 to 4 liters of water per person.

When is the best period for the lycian way?

The best months are probably spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) . In summer it is too hot to hike on the lycian way trails (already in May we suffered a lot from the heat) and in winter there can be snow on several sections of the trek (there are passages at more than 1500m altitude – not the section we did, but further away).

As for the weather, the sun is strong and it rains very little in the region. You will enjoy the shade of pines or olive trees believe me.

For the equipment I’m not going to make you a complete listing because there’s not much special to mention and we had almost the same equipment as the one we had on the Via Alpina (which you can find here ).

A few details, however:

• We didn’t take our stove and the cooking set with us. As we did this trek in the middle of a trip of several months, we preferred to save this weight by thinking that when we would do treks, we could get by with cold food. And on the Lycian way it is no problem since you can have warm food in the villages along the way (and dishes are much better than what you could cook on a stove 😉 )
• We did the trek with trail running shoes and it went very well. Again it was mainly because we did the hike in the middle of a long trip and these type of shoes are more versatile for other aspects of the trip. But if you come to Turkey mainly for this trek, I think that hiking boots are more suitable for this type of very rocky trail.

On the budget side, we spent the tiny sum of 185€ all inclusive (for the 2) for 6 days on the Lycian way. At the time of our trip, 1 euro was exchanged for 6.8 Turkish lira (TL). This budget includes:

• The groceries before the start on the trek (280 TL spent on snacks, wraps, etc.)
• 1 night in a pension in Alinca (250 TL for both with dinner and breakfast)
• 2 nights of camping (once 30 TL and the second time 70 TL)
• various meals, chaï teas and groceries along the way
• a few beers to reward ourself after the effort (alcohol is quite expensive compared to the rest in Turkey – count between 15 TL and 25 TL per beer)
• entry fees at some historical sites
• the return bus ride from Patara Beach to Fethiye

Note: Be careful to have enough cash with you to pay. There are few places where you can withdraw money during the trek and payment by card is only very rarely an option.

Day 1: Fethiye – Kayaköy – Ölüdeniz – bivouac

After a few quiet days spent in Fethiye working and enjoying sunsets by the sea (we rented an apartment at the Artim apart hotel for 150 TL per night with a nice wifi), we start our adventure on the Lycian way early to enjoy the morning temperatures. As every time we go on a hike over several days, the backpacks seem to weigh a ton… it’s especially because we took with us a lot of food and 3.5 litres of water per person (which was not necessary with hindsight…).

We start directly with a good climb out of Fethiye to warm up. A sign indicates that we are at the beginning of the lycian way 😉 (even if the official start is actually in Ovacik). While looking back we can see the huge lycian tombs dug in the cliffs above Fethiye… we are immediately in the mood!

We walk between path and road to go down again towards Kayaköy and its ghost town . Frankly this part until Kayaköy was not the best and if you want to shorten this 1st stage a bit, you could take a Dolmus (the local Turkish buses) to the ghost town. But anyway, we still saw our first 2 turtles of the hike on the way and the view of the abandoned town isn’t so bad from the pass.

After paying 6 TL/pers, we enter the site of the ghost town or village of Kayaköy. The site is very impressive and it is the ruins of several hundred houses that are there on the hillside. The history of Kayaköy, which was a village populated by Greeks before the First World War, is in fact very similar to the one of the village of Sirince . In 1923 as well, the Greek Orthodox living in this village were forced to leave Turkey. On the other hand, no one then settled in the village, which was also hit by a major earthquake in 1957. The remaining ruins of this village are now preserved as an open-air museum (even if it seems that the local authorities want to transform part of the site into a hotel 🙁 )

After having enjoyed this place, we decide to take the alternative path towards the seaside resort of Ölüdeniz. The trail climbs behind the ghost town through the pines and then descends to Ölüdeniz with some magnificent views of the bay and beaches on the way. Honestly, we highly recommend this section. On the other hand, the least we can say is that we were not charmed by Ölüdeniz, which represents everything we don’t like about this kind of seaside resort.

Instead of going up to Ovacik for the night as TrailSmart advises us, we decide to follow a path indicated on maps.me which climbs very steeply at the other end of the beach and which rejoins the official route of the Lycian Way more directly (and thus avoids an unnecessary detour through Ovacik). We had also spotted a bivouac spot on maps.me 600m higher. We start hiking this path following the “green dot” markings (there are some every 10m so if you don’t see them anymore it’s because you lost the path)… it’s already 4:30 pm.

The sun is still strong and we suffer with our big backpacks, especially since the climb is difficult (you will be warned 😉 ). We also come face to face with our 1st snake of the Lycian way, a beautiful black and white beast of 1m in length (perhaps an Ottoman viper according to our research) which was in no hurry to leave the hiking trail… we pray not to meet many others of these creatures during the trek!

We really hope that the bivouac location indicated on maps.me will be good because we don’t feel the strength to go much further… At 7pm we arrive at the point indicated on our map and there we can say that we have been rewarded for our efforts. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful spot where we have bivouacked so far. We have a completely unobstructed view of the whole bay of Ölüdeniz and the sun sets right in front of us. We quickly pitch the tent, eat and admire this show until nightfall. We go to bed very tired but happy to be there.

Infos day 1

• Distance 17,4 kms
• Deniv. +1160m -560m
• Difficulty quite hard
• Duration 6-7h

Day 2: Kirme – Faralya – camping

So we didn’t have a really good night because after going to bed we started to hear the sounds of someone around our tent. Bold as we are, neither of us dared to leave the tent to check even if it kept us awake for a while 😉 (certainly a shepherd who was passing by). So we start the end of the climb towards Kirme this morning a little tired. The climb still passes much better with the morning freshness.

After a short break chaï and gözleme at a small restaurant in the village, we start the descent towards Faralya which we reach at lunchtime. The village actually overlooks the butterfly valley which is accessible either on foot from Faralya (you have to go down a very steep path with ropes) or by boat from Fethiye or Ölüdeniz. We decide not to go down into the valley (especially with the big bags) but to take an alternative path to the Lycian way that runs along the coast to Kabak.

We walk a bit on this trail which offers spectacular views of the beach and the butterfly valley below. We take advantage of a nice spot with a view to take our lunch break.

We continue on this variation of the lycian way during the afternoon. Some passages of this trail are a little more difficult but the path is rather well marked and does not present any great difficulty. We also meet our 2nd creeping and whistling creature, green this time but which does not hang around on the path unlike the other one 😉 . Fortunately, the beautiful landscapes quickly make us forget this encounter.

In the late afternoon, we stop at the first campsite we see on our way (Aktas beach camping) and pitch our tent for 35 tl/pers (we would have paid for that only for the shower 😉 ). Just above our tent we can also comfortably sit on platforms full of cushions with sea views. Perfect for sipping a small beer at sunset in peace 😉 (the food in the small restaurant is also delicious).

Infos day 2

• Distance 14 kms
• Deniv +346m -925m
• Difficulty average
• Duration 5h

This morning we’re back on track! It felt good to arrive a little earlier the day before, to have showered and had time to rest. We continue on the path along the coast to the village of Kabak which overlooks a pretty beach 200m further down. There are mainly hotels on the heights of Kabak and one wonders how they managed to put so many bungalows in such a steep place…

We go down to the beach (which is quite nice though by the way). Here the atmosphere is a little “bobo-hippy” (not too much our thing I must say)… I’ll spare you the details but we also lost 2 hours at the beach because I thought I had lost (or had my smartphone stolen) which had actually slipped behind my backpack ;)… In short, after changing all my passwords and almost blocking my sim card, my phone magically fell into my back while we were walking…. a big relief anyway!

At the beginning, in Kabak we thought we would take a Dolmus to skip part of the Lycian way and go to Kalkan to do 3-4 more days of walking until Kas (it is the “best of the west” route in TrailSmart). But we realized that this option would make us spend the day in the bus, go back to Fethiye and then only to Kalkan (we didn’t realize that there was no direct route). As we thought it was a bit silly, we changed our plans again at the last minute and decided to continue on the Lycian way towards Alinca .

From Kabak, we start a nice little climb of almost 800m which starts from the beach and goes up to the village of Alinca. Honestly this climb has been one of our favorite parts of these few days on the Lycian way (with our bivouac spot of the 1st day and the view above the butterfly valley). We climb quietly in the shade of the pines with often spectacular views of Kabak Bay below. Even if it is hot, the climb is going well and we are clearly better than the 1st day after Ölüdeniz. We arrive at the village of Alinca after about 3h30 of climbing.

The atmosphere in Alinca has nothing to do with Kabak’s. The 2 villages are not connected by a road and if you want to reach Alinca by car, you will have to make a detour of several hours. Here there are thus no tourists except the few hikers passing by (we met less than a dozen hikers in 6 days 😉 ). We are welcomed in the village by a young boy who surprises us with his very good English and who immediately offers us to stay in his mother’s pension for 250 TL (for both) with dinner and breakfast. Since we have nothing against sleeping in a bed tonight, we accept his proposal. After a good shower, we settle down on the small terrace of the house for a well-deserved beer before being served a delicious meal (with starter, main course and dessert). Such a feast with a view, a shower and a good bed for 40$…. we don’t regret our choice 😉

Infos day 3

• Distance 10,4 kms
• Deniv. +978m -272m
• Duration 5-6h

We hope that this article has made you want to try to hike on the lycian way and we see you soonon the blog for the continuation of our adventures between Alinca and Patara beach.

Update: The end of the hike is life and can be read here

About Benoit

Self-taught web developer and passionate photographer, I love travelling and hiking for this incredible feeling of freedom they bring me. Curious, I constantly need to learn new things, to take on new challenges and I couldn't live any other way. I share with you on this travel blog my experiences on the roads but also my thoughts to travel better while respecting our beautiful planet (which is unfortunately in a very bad shape).

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Reader Interactions

4 years ago

What a great and informative article. I am planning to take all the trail in 25 dyes; I don’t know, maybe LOL.

anyway, I want to thank you guys for this fantastic Blog

Glide you liked our blog posts… hope you’ll be able to do this amazing hike!

2 years ago

Hi! Thank you so much for this incredibly informative blog, has helped us do the Lycian way! Would just like to comment for other hikers, the beach at Faralya (Actas beach) is no longer a nice campground. Currently it is all being bulldozed and being made into a big resort. You can not stay there, and it is very difficult to get down to the beach with the construction and new paths, not worth it. The following beach (Tektas) you can camp at, but they are also doing developments there but it is not very nice (tress and bush getting pulled out). Try to continue on to ‘beautiful camp for 2ppl’ (which is not much further and an easy walk) or kabak. Very depressing to see these developments, and annoying after a big walk when all we wanted was to do was set up camp and relax! -Lara and George

Hello Lara,

Thanks for your informative feedback and glad you found some useful infos here 😉 . It’s sad to read about all these developments… Not sure if we will ever gonna stop destroying places like these for “tourism”. Hopefully we will understand sooner than later. All the best

Awesome, thanks for sharing! I just have three nights, but will definetely plan to squeeze in a day hike after reading this!

Glad you liked it. Hope you’ll have fun on the lycian way trails 😉

3 years ago

Thank you! An overview is very well done, also plenty of useful information about how better to plan the hike. Planning to go there in autumn 🙂

Glad our blog posts were useful and hope you’ll like this hike as much as we did 😉

I saw that you wrote, Greek Orthodox left that town in 1923, that’s sad, but it’s happened on both sides, because, also Turks in the Balkans are forced to leave their places.

with respect and love

more information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_exchange_between_Greece_and_Turkey

“Convention Concerning the Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations” signed at Lausanne, Switzerland, on 30 January 1923

I enjoyed this narration and the valuable information… I am planning to go there in the coming days and I have benefited a lot from the information that was presented… Thank you

Glad our infos could be helpful to you 🙂 . Have fun there 😉

Hi, great couples and informations!

Is it worth to go 3 days alone on the lycian ways while im a solo traveler?

Hi, thanks for your message! Sure, why not? In terms of safety I would not see any reason not to do it! It is not the most “famous” hike so I would not guarantee that you’ll meet many other hikers but it’s definitively a stunning experience. Enjoy!

2 months ago

Hello! Thank you so much for this! It’s a nice, clear insightful guide with some useful info 🙂 We are thinking of doing the same route but I have one or two questions for now: 1) Is free camping legal in Turkey? Can you just camp respectfully anywhere along the way? 2) Is it easy enough to just continue hiking rather than stop at Kas? 3) When we run out of time (6 days), do you think it will be simple enough to just find access to the main road and return to a major city (Dalaman/Antalya)?

Hi, Camping was fairly easy in this area. A few flat spots, friendly locals. We either camped in fully remote areas or if we were closer to houses, we simply asked and people always told us where we could set up a tent without issues. We did not go all the way to Kas (we stopped at Patara beach), but yes, the trail is well marked all the way!

The road access will depend, but in Patara beach this was fairly easy. Small buses run from almost everywhere. It might take a few changes, but you should always be able to make it back to bigger towns within a few hours. Enjoy your hike Fabienne

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LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

Lycian way trail: how to hike the lycian way self-guided.

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LYCIAN WAY TRAIL: HOW TO HIKE THE LYCIAN WAY SELF-GUIDED.

We recently walked a selection of the highlights of the Lycian Way Trail. Although this is a popular walk, information about it is patchy. Here you can find our guide to walking the Lycian Way self-guided.

This post covers all frequently asked questions offering you as much information as possible to help you prepare for your adventure in Turkey. You can read it in conjunction with our route guide to walking the highlights of the Lycian Way (published soon. )

🏙️ Be sure to check out our post on visiting Antalya too . This marks the end (or the start) of the Lycian Way, so you are likely to fly in or out of Antalya .

The Lycian Way Trail

The Lycian Way Trail, Likya Yolu in Turkish, is a long-distance hiking trail in Turkey. Specifically it runs along the Aegean Coast to the South West of the country. This area of the coast is often called the Turquoise Coast, owing to the fantastic colour of the sea.

The trail was created in 1999 by British expat Kate Clow. Since then, the trail has become increasingly popular and it is now estimated that around 30,000 people walk a portion of the trail each year.

One of the things that the Lycian Way Trail is most known for, is that it runs through the historic region of “Lycia”. This was a flourishing state in the 14th and 15th centuries. All along the Lycian Way you will find historic settlements and ruins, including fascinating Lycian rock tombs.

Can you hike the Lycian Way Trail Self-Guided?

You can absolutely hike the Lycian Way Trail without a guide. A bit of forward planning is required however. We’ve put together this blog post to help you prepare to hike the Lycian Way without a guide.

Quick tip. If you’re considering hiking without a guide and going solo – you can join one of the Lycian Way Facebook groups ( here and here ) to give you an opportunity to link up with fellow hikers.

What makes the Lycian Way Trail unique?

#1 Coastal walking – the coastal walking is some of the best we have ever experienced. Views overlooking the Turquoise coast are second to none and there are lots of opportunities to take a dip in the sea and laze in quiet coves.

#2 Mountain sections – whilst the coastal walking is incredible, the mountain sections of the Lycian Way offer something totally different. High up in the clouds, you feel far away from it all enjoying mountain air and local hospitality.

#3 Historical context – One of the things that the Lycian Way is most known for, is that it runs through the historic region of “Lycia”. This was a flourishing state in the 14th and 15th centuries. All along the Lycian Way you will find historic settlements and ruins, including fascinating Lycian rock tombs.

#4 Turkish cuisine – it’s easy to access fresh local produce and food all along the Lycian Way. We loved trying Turkish cuisine at home stays and small cafes and restaurants.

#5 Friendly animals – before walking, we were worried about encountering scary farm dogs. This couldn’t’ have been further from the truth, instead we frequently walked with friendly dogs and even cats and chickens.

#6 Unique accommodation – accommodation on the Lycian Way is varied. There are no hostels, but guest houses are cosy and inviting, hotels on the coast can be quite luxury and there are opportunities to camp. There’s something for everyone.

How long is the Lycian Way Trail?

The Lycian Way is generally said to be 540km. However, one of the unique things about the Lycian Way is that there are numerous alternative routes. On most days there are optional short cuts or extra paths you can take.

Plus, there’s a section from Cirali to Goynuk that you can walk inland or as a coastal path. Therefore the actual distance walked by each hiker is likely to be different.

How difficult is the Lycian Way Trail?

The Lycian Way is not an easy walk. We would describe it as an intermediate hiking trail. The Lycian Way is a series of trails, many are ancient goat tracks. It takes you along the coast and into the mountains, with varied terrain throughout.

Lycian Way Trail Challenges

The main challenges associated with the Lycian Way are as follows:

#1 Backpack weight

Ideally you don’t want to carry more than 10 to 15% of your body weight in a backpack during a multi-day hike. If you plan to walk the entire Lycian Way, this is not going to be possible and you will need to carry more.

There are some sections that require camping, therefore your backpack is going to weigh at least 10kg with a tent and camping supplies. We did not walk the entire route, choosing to stick to sections with accommodation – meaning our backpacks weighed around 4 to 6kg each. A much more manageable weight on this terrain.

There are a few sections of the route that are only accessible if you carry your own tent and wild camp.

#3 Food & Water

Food and water is fairly easy to manage, but it does require some forward planning. Budget food is readily accessible in most areas. In more remote areas, you may need to carry some food.

See more detail below on water access, but note that you can expect to carry at least a few litres of water each day (more on some days.)

No two days on the Lycian Way are the same. The terrain is constantly changing. You can expect rocky surfaces, canyons, boulders that require scrambling, sand and gravel surfaces too.

The Lycian Way is an undulating route. There is rarely a moment when you can enjoy a flat walking surface. The highest point of the trail is a whopping 2,300m at the top of Mount Olympos. But even if you stick to the coastal sections, you can still expect to climb well above 1,000m on a daily basis. If you’re not going up, you’re going down!

Daily sections

When planning your daily hikes, do keep in mind that the terrain and steep hills can mean that you cover the distances fairly slowly. For example, some days we walked 17km and it took around 9 hours. On flat terrain, we would expect to walk this in a third of the time!

Training for the Lycian Way Trail

As the trail is quite challenging, training before is recommended. We are regular hikers and had just completed the Camino Frances prior to the Lycian Way, so felt sufficiently trained!

We would suggest a training plan for the Lycian Way to include the following:

• Walking – increasing distances and incorporating hills
• Carrying a weighted backpack – checking how much you can carry and preparing your legs/ back for the extra weight while walking
• Strength training – we’ve got some suggestions about strength training for hiking here
• Yoga – an excellent way to improve strength and mobility for hiking. Find out more about why yoga is an amazing part of any hiking training plan here.

🧘 If you’re keen to start a yoga for hiking training plan, you can find the Lotus Eaters Yoga bespoke yoga for hiking course here .

Lycian Way Trail Map

The map above shows an overview of the Lycian Way trail, highlighting some of the major tourist attractions on the route. This map shows the coastal route around Cirali rather than the mountain route which is an alternative.

For a more detailed route map, try the Trekopedia App ‘Trail Smart.’ We recommend this app for navigating the Lycian Way too (see more on that below).

Lycian Way Trail Highlights

It is estimated that walking the entire Lycian Way would take around 27 or 28 days. Whether you’re short on time, unsure about committing to the entire route, or not keen to camp – you could consider walking sections of the Lycian Way.

One of the great things about the Lycian Way trail is that it is possible to pick sections of the route and move between them using public transport. This way, you can choose between coastal trails, mountain sections and historical highlights.

We’ve written about our highlights on the Lycian Way in a separate post here.

Lycian Way Trail Transport

One of the concerns we had before walking sections of the Lycian Way, was how we would transfer from one section to another using public transport. This turned out to be of the most pleasant surprises on the Lycian Way, the transport worked like a dream. Transport was always straightforward and easy to find, as well as running regularly and on time.

The main challenge when it comes to transport along the Lycian Way, is finding information online. Bus and Dolmus timetables are not published and available to find online.

Google Maps does not provide accurate information on bus routes or timetables. The best way to find out about up to date times and bus routes is to ask your accommodation hosts or locals in the area. Alternatively, in larger towns you can often find a “bus station” where you can buy tickets and find information.

Types of transport on the Lycian Way Trail

There are two types of public transport that you will find along the Lycian Way Trail:

• Buses – buses run along the motorway from Fetihye to Antalya, calling at coastal towns along the route. The bus service is frequent (every 30 mins at time of writing) and is helpful in getting between sections of the Lycian Way along the coast.
• Dolmus – the Dolmus service is a mini-bus service which travels between smaller towns and villages on the route. For example, from Oludeniz to Ovacik. These are more informal and tend to run once they are full, rather than to a timetable.

Buying tickets for the bus and Dolmus

If you board the bus at a main station, for example in Fetihye, you can buy a ticket at the bus station. Otherwise, if you board at a bus stop, expect to pay the driver. For a Dolmus service, you can board and pay the driver.

Normally there are set rates for the journey, so you can expect to pay a set fare. You normally don’t get given an actual ticket. Buses and Dolmus services are inexpensive, expect to pay as little as 30 Lira for a short trip and less than 100 for a longer journey.

How to get to the start of the Lycian Way self-guided

The Lycian Way can be walked East to West or West to East. If you walk East to West, the nearest airport to the start is Antalya. If you walk from West to East, then Dalaman is the best airport to arrive to. We walked West to East. Both options are good and seem to be equally as popular.

Walking East to West

The route from East to West starts near to Antalya in Geyikbayırı. This is a village that you can get to from Antalya on either a bus or with a taxi. The distance is around 27km between them.

If you’re walking East to West, you will finish in either Ovacik or Fetihye (see below.)

Walking West to East

Most people walking West to East will start in Fetihye. This is a beach town around 45 minutes from Dalaman airport. There are regular buses direct from the airport to Fetihye running late into the night. The exact start point of the Lycian Way in Fetihye is around here (coordinates of a wonderful cafe at the start!)

Do note, the “official” start of the Lycian Way is actually in Ovacik – one day of walking from Fetihye. Personally, we opted for a day of walking from Fetihye as it is a beautiful place ( see more on our highlights post ) and easier to get to from the airport. But there is an option to start from Ovacik. The exact start point of the Lycian Way in Ovacik is here .

If you’re walking West to East you will finish in Geyikbayırı, near to Antalya (see above.) Another popular choice is to finish in Goynuk, a coastal town that is well connected to Antalya.

How to navigate on the Lycian Way Trail

Navigating on the Lycian Way is done using a combination of trail markers and either a map or a phone map app. We used the latter. It is perfectly okay to navigate yourself when you walk the Lycian Way self-guided.

The Lycian Way is generally marked by “trail markers” or “trail blazes”. These tend to be red and white, with two stripes (as shown below). You will also find a “red cross” marking used frequently to demark the incorrect route. Red and white arrows are also used along the Lycian Way.

As the Lycian Way is numerous trails joined together to create a long-distance path, there are other trail markings found too. For example, yellow markers are found on some sections.

How good are the way markers on the Lycian Way Trail?

The way markings are sometimes very good and sometimes very bad! It really depends on the section that you’re on. For example, the first couple of days (from the west side) around Ovacik are great. Frequent and clear markings can be found and it is difficult to get lost. But, the day prior to this from Fetihye to Ovacik is very badly marked.

Throughout our time hiking we got lost multiple times. Fortunately, it was fairly easy to find our way back (although we took a 4km detour around Goynuk!) The most difficult paths to navigate tend to be some of the coastal ones, a slight wrong turn and you can find yourself scrambling up and down rocks hanging over the sea.

In general, it is quite easy to see the correct path. Trails were not overgrown and a number of hikers walk them each day. Therefore the “well worn” trail with no plants overhanging is often the right one.

Which app to use to navigate when you walk the Lycian Way self-guided?

There are a couple of apps available to help you navigate the Lycian Way.

We used Trail Smart . This is an app hosted by the website “Trekopedia”. The app is available on Android and Apple phones. There is a free and a paid for version. At first, we tried to use the free version but it did not have sufficient detail and didn’t work offline. Subsequently we both purchased the $7.99 version and this was an absolute life-saver on the Lycian Way.

The app has GPS features, which work offline. We found this to be fairly accurate. There is a live map, with built in detail to help you locate water points, accommodation and food supplies. Plus, there’s instructional and contextual information on there. It was particularly helpful at flagging up any dangerous or tricky paths ahead.

What is accommodation like on the Lycian Way Trail when you walk the Lycian Way self-guided?

There are broadly five different types of accommodation that can be found on the Lycian Way. These are described in the table below.

🏨 Find out more about where we stayed on he Lycian Way in our post about walking the highlights of the route here.

Do you need to book accommodation on the Lycian Way?

Our approach to walking the Lycian Way was to book the majority of our accommodation in advance. Because the hiking is quite challenging, we wanted to ensure that we had guaranteed accommodation and a clear plan for walking so that we could focus purely on the hiking and enjoying our trip.

In general, accommodation along the coast in towns is quite plentiful but we recommend booking ahead, especially during peak holiday season. You can book on booking.com , or other sites, ahead of time.

Often, free cancellation is possible which helps to keep plans flexible. However, there are some areas of the Lycian Way that may have only one hotel or guest house – we recommend booking this in advance. Normally you will have to get in touch via email or Whatsapp to arrange this accommodation.

We rely heavily on booking.com for most of our accommodation – one thing to note is that booking.com does allow you to book accommodation in Turkey, whilst you are in Turkey. According to our research, this is a legal restriction. You can however book accommodation on booking.com prior to arriving in Turkey.

What to pack for the Lycian Way – Lycian Way self-guided

Here is a suggested packing list for the Lycian Way.

What to pack for camping on the Lycian Way?

Although a few commercial camp grounds offer tents, many do not. If you plan to walk the entire route, it is preferable to pack your own camping kit.

We suggest the following items and have included links to some of the camping kit that we use regularly:

• Lightweight tent
• Lightweight sleeping bag – adjusted for the weather
• Sleeping pad
• Cooking stove, gas and lighter
• Cooking pots (we prefer these to a kettle)
• Coffee or Tea and a cup or mug
• Utensils (a spork is the best option)
• Swiss-army knife or multi-tool
• A head torch

Do you need hiking poles for the Lycian Way?

We do not tend to use hiking/ trekking poles and have deliberately avoided using them on all long-distance hikes we’ve done previously. That said, we did regret not having them for the Lycian Way. If we went back, we would pack hiking poles.

The route is very undulating and there are quite often steep climbs and steep descents. Most people we met had poles and found them useful for the hills. However, they may not always be helpful (especially when scrambling), so we suggest packing foldable ones.

If you do decide to take poles, a budget set of hiking poles can be found for around £25. Mid-range hiking poles retail at £60 ish. More expensive carbon fibre poles are in the region of about £150.

What kind of footwear to wear on the Lycian Way

There are a few options for footwear on the Lycian Way. We suggest either trail shoes or hiking boots.

Trainers/ Trail Shoes

Trail shoes with a decent grip area ideal for the Lycian Way. Especially if you’re looking for lightweight and breathable shoes in the warm weather. Trainers without decent grip are not going to be suitable for the Lycian Way.

We opted to wear our Hoka shoes. John had a pair of trail shoes ( Speed Goat 5 ), whereas I wore Clifton’s which are not as suitable to trails. Decent trail shoes, such as the Hoka Speed Goats are brilliant for the Lycian Way.

Hiking boots

Lightweight and breathable hiking boots would be suitable for the Lycian Way, especially if you plan to walk the entire route. Many hikers opted for boots and I would argue that they are probably the most suitable thing for the terrain on the Lycian Way, with boulders to scramble over and regular uneven surfaces.

We wear the Aramadillo Hiking Boot from Nortiv 8 . These are a really great modern hiking boot – breathable, flexible and nicely cushioned. I wish I had packed mine for the Lycian Way!

Mobile reception and WiFi on the Lycian Way Trail

Mobile phone.

If you’re planning to use your mobile phone to navigate, we recommend getting a SIM card that gives you access to Turkish mobile networks .

There are some areas of the Lycian Way that do not have mobile signal, in particular some areas around Goynuk canyon (in the latter stages towards Antalya.)

We use Airalo eSIM cards when we travel – a great solution to get mobile data quickly and without removing your current SIM card.

The majority of hotels we stayed in on the Lycian Way had internet, but guesthouses/ pensions did not. You are also not likely to find WiFi at campsites. WiFi can be found in some bars and cafes too but you may have to ask for the password.

The cost of hiking the Lycian Way Trail

The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira and it is subject to inflation that often means the value fluctuates. How much money to budget for the Lycian Way will largely depend on when you travel.

At time of writing (October 2023), £1 is worth around 30 Turkish Lira. Our average spend per day on the Lycian Way was around 2000 Lira, of around £60 for two people. We did not camp, so this budget included hotels (average around 3*) and dinner out with a few drinks every evening.

The average costs that we encountered along the Lycian Way are listed below:

Do you need cash on the Lycian Way?

You do need to carry some cash on the Lycian Way. Although many restaurants and hotels in large towns and on the coast will take credit or debit card, most facilities inland and in the mountain regions will not.

In our experience, Turkish Lira is the easiest cash to carry and use on the Lycian Way. You will find that cafes and restaurants in remote areas will not accept Euros, although some places in large coastal towns will accept Euros (and sometimes US dollars.) Turkish Lira is accepted everywhere in Turkey and is therefore the easiest currency to carry.

Where to get cash on the Lycian Way?

ATMs are fairly easy to find on the Lycian Way. However, do note that you are mostly going to find them in large towns. It is prudent to get out a chunk of cash to last you if you are heading into more remote areas or the mountain regions of the Lycian Way.

We found that many ATMs charged significant transaction fees on the Lycian Way. This can be anything from 5 to 10% of the amount you withdraw. The best ATMs to choose if you want to avoid these fees are Halk Bank and PTT (the Turkish post office.)

Food, Drink & Supplies on the Lycian Way

Food on the Lycian Way

The food on the Lycian Way was one of the highlights of the trip for us. We love Turkish food and were so excited to try local specialities along the route. Along the way, we sampled Pide (Turkish flat bread), Kofte, Kebabs (of all varieties), Manti (dumplings), fresh fish, delicious salads, soup, ice cream, Baclava and numerous incredible Turkish breakfasts.

Finding food on the Lycian Way is generally quite easy. The daily stages tend to start or finish in a town with restaurants, cafes or a supermarket. Where this is not the case, you will most likely stay in a pension/ home stay where you will be provided with a delicious home cooked dinner and breakfast. Some will also offer a packed lunch, should you want it.

Food does require a little planning however. There are some days when you may not pass anywhere to get food during the day and therefore you need to pack a lunch and snacks with you.

You can find out more about some of the best restaurants and cafes that we visited on our highlights of the Lycian Way post (published soon.)

Water on the Lycian Way

According to our research, the tap water in Turkey is drinkable. But, it may take a few times to get used to it if you’re travelling from outside Turkey.

On the Lycian Way, there is a mix of water cisterns (water wells) and water taps. The cisterns range from clean-ish to frankly filthy and full of rubbish. The water taps are fairly frequent in some areas, for example we saw three during one day. But, there are many days with no water taps or cisterns.

To walk the Lycian Way, you have a few options when it comes to water supplies. You can rely on cisterns and taps along the way on the Lycian Way, topping up water bottles in hotels in the evening. If you want to be sure that is is safe, you should use water purification tablets and/or a filter, like this. Do note, that in the summer springs and cisterns could be dry.

The other option is to stick to mineral water and avoid the cisterns/ taps. It is very easy to buy enough water along the Lycian Way and it is inexpensive. The only down side is that it results in a using a lot of plastic and there are few recycling points along the way. We chose this option and tended to carry between 1.5 and 4 litres each per day, depending on the amenities along the way.

Supplies on the Lycian Way

For other supplies, such as medication or clothing, there are some options to stock up on the Lycian Way. But, do keep in mind that large towns are likely to be the best places to buy supplies. If for example you need medication, you may have to wait a few days to arrive in a town with a pharmacy.

Nightlife on the Lycian Way

The Lycian Way goes mainly through beach resorts, seaside villages and mountain towns and villages.

In terms of nightlife, you will find that resorts by the sea tend to have a few restaurants and bars which predominately cater to holiday makers. This means that there is always some nightlife to access when you walk the Lycian Way. Perhaps some of the best nightlife we found was along the coast in towns like Kabak, Oludeniz and Simena.

The mountain towns and villages tend to be much quieter. Especially if you stay in a home stay/ pension inland on the Lycian Way, it’s likely you’re in for a quiet night.

You can find out more about the nightlife we enjoyed on our highlights of the Lycian way post.

Lycian Way Best Time to Go

The most popular times to walk the Lycian Way are April to May or September to November. The summer months are simply too hot to walk in Turkey, you can expect highs of 30 to 35 degrees centigrade during the day on the South West coast.

We walked from mid to late October and found the temperatures on route to be perfect. Although days were warm, it was rarely too hot to walk, especially early in the morning. It was also plenty warm enough to enjoy swimming in the sea or lazing by a pool in the afternoons after hiking. The evenings had also started to cool which would make camping more of a pleasant experience.

One thing to keep in mind if you walk in April or November, is that the further East you go along the Lycian Way (towards Antalya), the colder it can get. Therefore if you walk in April, it is best to walk West to East. If you walk the Lycian Way in November, it can be more sensible to walk East to West.

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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[…] This blog post sets out the highlights of the Lycian Way that we walked over a period of 10 days in October 2023. We hope that it helps you pick your route and get a sense of what is on offer on the Lycian Way. However, if you want to know more about planning your trip – packing, accommodation, cost of travel etc, then you can find our post ‘How to walk the Lycian Way.’ […]

[…] is right on the Lycian Way, a long-distance hiking path. This is ideal for anyone wanting to take a short hike during their […]

[…] a recent trip to Turkey walking the Lycian Way, we wondered whether Antalya was worth visiting. We were so pleased to have taken time to spend a […]

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One Week on Turkey’s Lycian Way Trail: The Ultimate Guide

“So I heard about this hiking trail in Southern Turkey…”

The conversation with my friend Ruth began as many do, with grand ideas of places to visit and experiences to have. But as we perused photos of the sweeping green cliffs and blue Mediterranean waters along the Lycian Way, we knew this trek was bigger than just an idea. A few months later our flights were booked, our bags were packed, and off we went to spend one week hiking along Türkiye’s longest trail . 

The Lycian Way has been called one of the world’s most beautiful hikes , but is still seemingly undiscovered in comparison to its more well-known cousins like Spain’s Camino de Santiago . We were excited to get off the beaten path (quite literally!) and discover what the Lycian Trail was all about. 

However, as the Lycian Way is still relatively off the tourist trail, we struggled to find a lot of information about what exactly we were getting into. Where would we stay along the trail? How much food would we need to pack? How far could we get with only one week to hike?

So after successfully winging one week along the Lycian Way, I’m here to share all the details of our trek so that you can go in at least a little more prepared than we were! I’ll break down each day we spent on the trail – from the nitty gritty of what we spent to exactly where we stayed along the way. 

Looking for practical details of the Lycian Way? (Think packing lists, weather info, and more!) Check out my post on everything you should know before hiking the Lycian Way . 

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Lycian Way Video

Want to follow our trek along with us? Check out this video I made of our one week along the Lycian Trail!

✈️ Flights – Use Kiwi.com to find the cheapest and fastest flights to the Dalaman Airport 🛏️ Accommodation – Find the best places to stay along the Lycian Way on Booking.com ✅ Get Insured – I personally use Safety Wing Nomad Insurance for my travels all around the world! VisitorsCoverage is another great option🚴‍♀️ Find Things to Do – Check out Get Your Guide or Viator for things to do around the Aegean Region 🚗 Rent a Car – Find the best deals for a Turkish road trip on RentalCars.com ☎ Buy a Sim – Airalo offers eSIMS for over 200 countries and regions

Introduction to the Lycian Way

The Lycian Trail is a 540km (335 mile) trek along the southern coast of Türkiye, through the former home of the ancient Lycian Civilization . Beginning in Fethiye, the trail stretches along the Mediterranean coast, passing through everything from Lycian ruins and mountain villages before culminating in Türkiye’s bustling seaside city of Antalya. 

The Lycian Way is a fairly new route, constructed in the mid-1990s by British expat Kate Clow . These days, nearly 30,000 people set out on the trek each year. While it generally takes around 30 days to complete the entire trail, there are many sections perfect for week-long stretches, or even day hikes ! 

A Quick Note on Costs in this Guide

It’s important to note that at the time of writing, the Turkish Lira is currently experiencing one of the most rapid rates of inflation seen in years. 

We trekked the Lycian Way in March 2023, so the accommodation and food costs outlined in this guide were true for our trek at that time. We found costs along the trail to be slightly higher than we’d anticipated based on articles we’d read. The same could be true for this post in a year (or even a few months!) based on the current fluctuation of the Lira, so please use this as a general guide but take each cost with a grain of salt. 

All that said, hiking the Lycian Way is still an extremely budget-friendly way to travel . If you’re looking to keep costs as low as possible, prioritize camping along the way and pack your own meals rather than eating at restaurants. I’ve included plenty of information on where to camp and eat along the way, so let’s get into it!

Day 1: Fethiye to Olüdeniz – 23km

The Lycian Way trailhead begins in Fethiye, a quaint coastal city on the banks of the Mediterranean. We’d arrived in Fethiye the day before and spent an evening relaxing in town so we’d be fresh for the hike in the morning. We stayed the night at the Orka Boutique Hotel – our biggest splurge of the week at 1600 TL total ($67.84) but worth every penny for the balcony with views of the harbor. 

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option in Fethiye, we also stayed at the Otel Denizyıldızı at the end of our trip and enjoyed it just as much. It also had complimentary breakfast, and only cost 1000 TL total ($42.39)

QUICK TIP : Fethiye is a popular costal tourist spot for a reason! I highly recommend designating a few days at the beginning of your trip to explore all the city has to offer, from paragliding over the Mediterranean to kayaking over crystal clear waters .

From Fethiye to Kayaköy

The trailhead for the Lycian Way begins just outside of town beside the Fethiye Castle . You’ll have to walk along the road for a bit, before the trail branches to the left into a dense forest. Admittedly we weren’t off to the best start – the trail was a little hard to distinguish at first – but thankfully we’d downloaded the area on Maps.me , which helped us stay on track. 

The path eventually led back to the road, which we followed down to the town of Kayaköy , our first stop of the day. This town is notable for its abandoned village, once home to a largely Greek Orthodox population before they were forcibly removed in the 1920s. Years later, a major earthquake hit the site, leaving the buildings crumbling within the valley. You can read more about the story of Kayaköy here . 

We’d packed food for lunch, so we stopped outside the ruins for a lunch break. The Lycian Trail continues up the hill through the ruins, so you will have to buy an entrance ticket to pass through . As of March 2023, the ticket cost 50 TL ($2.12) each, cash only.

From Kayaköy to Olüdeniz

The trail continues uphill for a while, before flattening out with stunning views over the sea. This was my favorite part of the trail that day, even despite the impromptu hailstorm we found ourselves caught in! 

The trail eventually leads to the beachside promenade of the town of Olüdeniz . There are plenty of hostels and hotels along this strip ( click here to view prices! ), but we had our minds set on a campsite we’d heard of in the town proper, just up the hill. Or so we thought. We ended up trekking nearly an hour up an extremely steep and busy road into town, an unfortunate way to end a long day of hiking. I highly recommend taking a minibus up into town instead.

We stayed at the Aydede campsite , a great spot run by a local tour operator named Yasin . It cost us 250 TL ($10.60) to pitch our tents, and included breakfast and hot showers. After the hailstorm, I would have paid thousands for a hot shower! 

Yasin was kind enough to give us a ride into town in his Jeep, where we relaxed and grabbed a bite to eat at a restaurant called Memo. I highly recommend it – their owner was extremely friendly and their pide was delicious and well priced. We stopped by an A101 grocery store on the way back to camp to pick up some additional food for the next few days and then walked about 15 minutes back to camp for a good night’s sleep. 

We didn’t expect the second hailstorm that night, but well, that’s a whole other story !

Day 1 Statistics

Distance: 23km Duration: Around 6 hours Total Cost : 350 TL/$14.84 (total for two) for trail fees and lodging (not accounting food)

Day 2: Olüdeniz to Kabak: 23km

After warming up from our cold night out in a hailstorm with complimentary breakfast at our campsite, it was time to hit the trail again. Technically, the official start of the Lycian Way begins here in Olüdeniz , just 5 minutes from our campsite! 

From Olüdeniz to Kirme

The trail begins wide and flat, but soon turns and continues uphill for quite some time . It’s not an especially steep grade, but there isn’t any break from the incline so take your time! The trail eventually flattens out in a small village – though it’s hard to say if it’s a village or not, as every building seemed completely empty.

Beyond the village, the trail continued onward along the base of a stunning snow capped mountain. I think this was one of my favorite sections of the trail – the landscape was stunning with the snowy mountains one way, stunning coastline the other. 

The trail eventually leads to the town of Kirme where we stopped for a cup of tea at a spot called Lemon Cafe. We also ate our packed lunches here, and took some selfies with the friendly owner! 

From Kirme to Kabak 

From Kirme, it was onwards towards the Butterfly Valley, one of the most photographed spots along the Lycian Way. The trail passes along the ridge of the valley with beautiful views down over the turquoise water and sweeping cliffs. There are actually plenty of campsites and hotels in this area if you want to call it a day here.  

We decided to continue onwards towards Kabak Beach, which required a bit of uphill scrambling over the next part of the trail. There are a lot of alternate routes in this section that also lead to Kabak Beach, but we ended up getting a little lost after passing through the town of Faralya. Luckily, we wandered out to the main road, where a friendly man named Ahmed picked us up and drove us the rest of the way to Kabak!

From the main road through Kabak, there are many smaller roads that branch off leading to campsites and accommodation . We decided to stay at Shiva Camp – in part because it was only 500 TL ($21.19) for our own private cabin and breakfast, but also because the views were unbelievable!

After settling in, we headed back up to the main road for a bite to eat in town. We grabbed some Turkish pancakes at a spot called Kabak Misafir Evi and then headed back to our cabin for a warm, hail-free night. 

Day 2 Statistics

Distance: 23km Duration: Around 6 hours Total Cost : 500 TL/$21.19 (total for two) for trail fees and lodging (not accounting food)

Day 3: Kabak to Gey – 20.5km

Day 3 began with a delicious Turkish Breakfast at the Shiva Camp, where we admired the views (and snuggled with the friendly dogs there!) before we continued on our way. 

From Kabak to Alinca

The trail first led us down and across a long strip of sandy beach before turning uphill again through a forest. The uphill was long, but the views along the way were worth it. 

While this part of the trail was well marked, there was one short rocky section with a pretty nerve-wracking drop on one side. We also stumbled upon a small pop-up cafe along the trail, complete with honor-system çay (tea)

The path eventually led to the small town of Alinca. We’d hoped there would be a mini-mart as our food supply was a bit low, but as Alinca is off the main road, it was hardly more than a few homes overlooking the Mediterranean. There was however one small home, “Hassan Camping” which had dry goods for sale as well as a few hot meals on a menu. We figured we’d stop for a hot meal and some snacks as we planned to camp that evening. 

Here’s the sitch – we inquired about some of the dry goods and ordered some fresh gozleme (Turkish pancakes) and were quoted a price of 250 TL ($10.56). We incorrectly assumed this was for both the dry goods and the pancakes, but we later found out it was just for the dry goods. Admittedly, we probably wouldn’t have purchased what we did if we’d known – the price was quite steep for what we got and we ended up paying an additional 150 for the pancakes later. Since we only had limited cash, this ended up getting us a bit of trouble later on (keep reading to find out how!)

I still recommend this spot – the owners were hospitable and the pancakes had spring onions grown straight on the porch outside, but just be sure to clarify the prices of what you’re purchasing beforehand . And maybe stock up on a few more snacks somewhere earlier on the main road to avoid this situation altogether! 

From Alinca to Gey

From Alinca, the trail continued along a stunning descent into the valley and through lush farmland. There were plenty of places in the valley to stop and camp , but we continued uphill until the trail joined with a quiet road into the town of Yediburunlar (Gey), nestled high in the mountains. By the time we reached Gey, the elevation had contributed to a significant drop in temperature, and we opted to stay at the Dumanoğlu Pansiyon as we simply didn’t have the correct gear for such a cold night.

The pension cost 600 TL ($25.35) for the night and included dinner and breakfast. We were also served Turkish dolma – vine leaves stuffed with spiced rice that officially top my list of favorite foods I tried in Türkiye!

Day 3 Statistics

Distance: 20.5 Duration: Around 5 hours Total Cost : 600 TL/$25.35 (total for two) for trail fees and lodging (not accounting food)

Day 4: Gey to Patara: 25km

Our fourth day of our week on the Lycian Way was a special one for us, as it’s the day we met our trail dog, Eddie. You can read his story here . 

We knew we had a lot of kilometers to cover today, as we hoped to make it to Patara Beach and visit an ATM in town. We were running low on cash due to a few unexpected expenses (AKA overpriced dry goods and homestays to avoid freezing!) and knew we didn’t have enough for another homestay if temperatures dropped again. 

From Gey to Bel

The first part of the trail passed through terraced farmland with beautiful views along the way. The trail briefly joined back up with the road, before branching off for a long, relatively even section through more farmland. There are plenty of Lycian ruins along this part of the trail, so keep an eye out. 

After a few hours we reached the town of Bel, where we riskily bought a Coca Cola with some of the last of our cash and stopped for a lunch break. Bel is home to a few homestays if you’re looking for a shorter hiking day. 

From Bel to Patara Beach

Outside of Bel, the trail continues over terraced farmland before steeply descending down to sea level. We were honestly unprepared for how difficult this descent would be – while going down is typically easier on the lungs, this spot was tough on the knees! We took our time as the ground was fairly uneven and eventually made it to sea level where the path flattened out once again. 

At the end of the descent, we encountered a small village, where we had the option to continue through the woods, or walk on the quiet road towards Patara Beach. We opted for the road as it led directly to our intended campsite that night and I am so glad we did. We only spotted 2 cars in our entire time walking the road and the views of the sea and upcoming sandy beach were absolutely stunning. 

We’d spotted signs for the Patara Green Park campsite all day, but we quickly learned camping there wouldn’t be possible – apparently it’s been closed for years, and no one has bothered to take down the signs. Luckily, right up the hill there was another campsite – Likya Garden Life, a total hippie-dippy spot complete with a giant Buddha head in the middle of the campground. And they took cards (a miracle along the Lycian Way!)

We took that as a sign that we could sort out getting to an ATM the next day and paid 2000 TL for a private cabin, with breakfast and dinner included. It was the highest price of the week, and I’m not entirely convinced it was worth it . The pros: the food was the best we had all week, and the site was a 5 minute walk from the beach and some nearby ruins. The cons: the showers weren’t hot. We were there during low season and the site was still a bit under construction, so I assume they’d have this sorted by peak hiking season.

Visiting the Pydnai Ruins

Ten minutes up the road are the Pydnai Ruins, an abandoned Hellenistic fort from the Lycian era. If you opted to take the forest path to Patara Beach earlier the Lycian Way actually passes through these ruins, but we took a separate visit to them since we’d gone an alternate route. 

Patara was once the largest city of the Lycian Civilization , so this was just the beginning of an abundance of ruins we’d soon be spotting along the sandy Patara coast.

Day 4 Statistics

Distance: 25km Duration: Around 6.5 hours Total Cost : 2000 TL/$84.67 (total for two) for trail fees, lodging, and food!

Day 5: Patara Beach Day – 21.8km

According to Maps.me, the Lycian Way continues across Patara Beach towards the town of Gelemis, with a small river crossing in the middle over the Esen Stream. We had been warned by the owner of our first campsite that the river was not currently passable due to high flooding, and that even if we found a boat to take us across, the price would be steep. 

With all this in mind, we decided to take an alternate route through the town of Kinik , not only to finally visit an ATM but also to explore some notable Lycian ruins along the way. 

From Patara Beach to Kinik

It is certainly possible to walk from Patara Beach to the town of Kinik, but rather than spend all day walking paved roads with our heavy backpacks, we opted to take a local minibus into town. The bus stop was a five minute walk from our campsite where we caught a bus into town for only 20 TL ($0.85) each. 

The bus dropped us at an intersection just outside of Kinik , where we walked 10 minutes into town and finally refueled at an ATM. From town, it was another 10 minute walk to the ruins of Xanthos, where we were thankfully allowed to leave our bags at the ticket office while we explored. 

Visiting the Xanthos Ruins

Tickets to the Xanthos Ruins cost 50 TL ($2.12) each and are worth every penny. Xanthos was once the largest city of the Lycian Civilization , a hub of arts, culture, and trade not only for the Lycians, but later for many civilizations who conquered the region, including the Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans. 

Xanthos is also home to a number of notable pillar tombs, most often used for important members of Lycian civilization. Visitors can still explore these pillar tombs – just follow the trail up the hill and you’ll soon see the landscape dotted with tombs dating back to the 4th century BCE!

From Kinik to Gelemis

From Xanthos, we decided to follow the road back to the trail in the town of Gelemis. The walk started pleasantly through the town of Kinik, but soon turned into a thin sidewalk nestled between a busy road and numerous tomato farms. 

It was not exactly pleasant, so we soon stopped at a bus stop to rest for a moment while we checked to see if any buses passed through. Not even 2 minutes later, a tomato farmer named Hatam had pulled up beside us, offering us a ride to Gelemis. We happily obliged. 

Hatam dropped us in the center of Gelemis, a small beach town with a distinctly hippy vibe. We wandered around for a bit inquiring about the prices of a few homestays, until we found Medusa Bar and Camping – which for only 350 TL ($14.82) for our own private cabin was a steal. They also had a kitchen onsite where we could cook meals and during the summer months are a great place to grab a drink. 

After we’d unpacked our things in our cabin, we headed out to explore the beach and ruins of Patara. We followed a trail out to the Patara Sand Dunes and then relaxed on the beach for a while. On our way back, we walked along the main road back to Gelemis. It was quite a bit quieter than the earlier road, the only person we encountered was a friendly farmer who asked to take photos with us! 

Back in Gelemis, we stopped for a bite to eat at Patara Gözlemi Evi , which true to its name had delicious gözleme (Turkish pancakes) and some killer manti .

Day 5 Statistics

Distance: 21.8km Duration: Around 6 hours Total Cost : 450 TL/$19.05 (total for two) for trail fees and lodging (not accounting food)

Day 6: Gelemis to Kalkan – 22km

Our final morning of hiking began with some fresh bread from a supermarket in town, which we happily enjoyed on the front porch of our cabin at Medusa Camp. From there, it was onwards towards Kalkan. 

The trail continued on outside of Gelemis, but was actually more of an unpaved road than a donkey trail . Luckily the road was fairly quiet, but we did see a few cars pass by – most notably, a group of old Turkish men who were clearly buzzed on Rakı at 11AM ! 

The trail was a steady uphill at first before reaching a beautiful viewpoint over the Mediterranean. From here, the trail continued downhill into a small town. While the road was wide it was steep and the footing uneven – one fellow hiker we encountered on the downhill slipped and twisted his wrist during this descent! 

The trail then continued through the town. It was a little hard to follow exactly on Maps.me, but if you stick to the main road through town you’ll be heading in the right direction . Outside of town, we once again followed the unpaved road along the coastline, until we could see across the inlet into our final destination – Kalkan! 

While we could see across the water to Kalkan, we were still only about halfway from where we’d started. We passed through a quaint neighborhood before the trail branched off the road and followed the coastline. There were multiple trails marked on Map.me, all leading to Kalkan, but we opted for the upper trail, as a fellow hiker had labeled the lower “Dangerous Rockslide – avoid!” We figured it was better to be safe than sorry. 

The upper trail continued over the Delikkemer Aqueduct , a Roman-era aqueduct, and then uphill over the mountain, with beautiful views of the farms of Yeşilköy below. Eventually, the trail met up with the main road into Kalkan. We actually crossed the road and continued into the town of NAME, where we caught a minibus into Kalkan for 10 TL each ($0.42). From the central bus station, we walked about 15 minutes to the hotel we’d booked for the night, the Papermoon Hotel .

Papermoon cost 1400 TL ($59.27) not including meals, but luckily the center of town was a short walk away. We grabbed some kebab in celebration of completing a week on the trail.

Day 6 Statistics

Distance: 23.2km Duration: Around 5 hours Total Cost : 1400 TL/$59.27 (total for two) for trail fees and lodging (not accounting food)

Day 7 – Return to Fethiye

On the final day of our one week on the Lycian Way, we returned to our starting point of Fethiye. We opted to spend a day relaxing in Fethiye, but you could certainly go all the way to the Dalaman airport for your return flight on this final day. 

Here are a few ways to get from Kalkan to the Dalaman Airport:

Public Buses from Kalkan to Dalaman Airport (DLM)

Always the budget traveler, we decided to use public transportation to return from Kalkan. There are 10 daily buses from Kalkan to Fethiye, though I recommend an early start if you plan to make it all the way to the airport. The bus costs 77 TL each ($3.26)

The journey takes about 90 minutes and drops you at the Fethiye bus station. If you’re planning to go all the way to the airport, this is where you’ll also catch the airport bus, which operates 7 times daily. The bus schedule varies throughout the week, so check out the photo below for daily timings. The airport bus costs 80 TL each ($3.39)

Private Transfer from Kalkan to Dalaman Airport (DLM)

The most efficient way to travel between Kalkan and the Dalaman Airport is via private transfer. Here’s a highly recommended transport service offering custom pickup to make your journey as smooth as possible. 

Finishing Up

After one week hiking the Lycian Way, we were tired and sore, but with a feeling of accomplishment that can’t be beat . 

The Lycian Way certainly isn’t the easiest trail you could attempt in Türkiye, but it’s also no Everest – a perfect in-between for those seeking an attainable challenge. Add on the stunning scenery, the Turkish hospitality, and the many cups of çay along the way, and it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

I hope to return someday and attempt to hike the entire Lycian Way. In the meantime, the one week I spent on the trail will stay with me forever. I hope this guide helps you plan your week-long hike along the Lycian Way, so you too may make memories that last a lifetime. 

Keep Exploring Türkiye

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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.

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3 thoughts on “one week on turkey’s lycian way trail: the ultimate guide”.

It sounds like an amazing adventure and a great way to explore the history and culture of Turkey. I loved the photos you shared, especially the ones of the ancient ruins and the turquoise sea. Thank you for sharing your tips and insights on how to plan and prepare for this trip.

Hello! Couple questions for you… I’m thinking about a solo hike in September. The first is did you feel safe travelling as a small group? Second is did you have a cell phone (and did it work)? Going solo I’d like to stay in contact with someone. Lastly, I noticed you ended up doing more of the pensions… knowing what you know now, would you have ditched the gear and only brought day packs or are you happy you brought all your gear? Thanks!!

Hi Val! Oh my gosh that’d awesome, enjoy your trip! We definitely felt safe as a small group, we actually encountered quite a few solo hikers along the way so you definitely won’t be alone. We purchased tourist SIMS for our phones in Fethiye, they were about $50 each (a little pricey, but unfortunately it’s a set price and we certainly found it worth it!) We generally had signal along the trail except for a few super isolated areas like outside of Gey and Alinca and it was super helpful for staying in touch with loved ones back home, and occasionally doing a little Google searching of places to stop along the way. We mainly ended up doing more pensions as it ended up being a lot colder at night than we expected, but this would depend on when you plan to go (we were there in early April so nights were pretty chilly!) Looking back at our route and time of year, I think we would have ditched all the camping gear, but if you’re traveling during a warmer part of the year, want to save some $, or plan to do more of the trail, I highly recommend having gear with you for the flexibility of it. We would have loved to camp more, but our desert tent just really wasn’t cutting it ha! I hope this helps answer some of your questions and enjoy your trip! 🙂

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Lycian Way Trek

Adventure Travel , Trekking , Turkey

Lycian Way Trekking

Beautiful bay views along the trek.

Lycian Way Trekking Season: 01 Apr – 23 May, 01 Sep – 31 Oct  The Lycian way was a famous trail during the Lycian period for the Lycian people (LYKIA means land of light). It starts in Fethiye (South west of Turkey) and goes along the Mediterranen coast all the way down to Antalya (total 510 km).

The New York Times anounced that the Lycian Way is the one of the top the walking trails in the World On the Lycian Way trail you can see beautiful panoramic views of the sea and mountains and a good opportunity to see real Turkish village life. You will also see the wild flora of Turkey and amazing wild flowers, animals and birds.

When you’re walking on the Lycian Way, you’re always together with the amazing nature of the Mediterranean climate and thousands years of history which is still full of mysteries and waiting to be explored. While walking the Lycian way you’ll need your trekking boots and raincoat, you’ll also need your swimsuits. On the Lycian Trail sometimes you walk through endemic forest and sometimes you walk just by the coasts of Lycians and can swim over the sunken ruins of Lycians.

You can join in on the season dates stated above or form your own private group.

• Private 5 Days
• Private 10 Days

5 Days Lycian Way Fethiye-Alınca with Greece Rhodes Tour Code: TUR-LWFR-P5 Private Group Season: May, Sep, Oct Itinerary subject to changes

DAY 1: Fethiye (Dinner) Arriving Fethiye. Check in Guesthouse and explore the local fish market and have dinner there. Accommodation in Guesthouse in Fethiye

DAY 2: Fethiye – Faralya (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) After breakfast, transfer to starting point and trek along the ridge of Mt. Babadag. This part of Lycian Way has the most magnificent view which contain blue lagoon (Oludeniz), butterfly valley and paragliders. Then we will begin ascend to Faralya. Accommodation in a pension/ hotel in Faralya. Trekking time: 6 hours

DAY 3 :Faralya (Butterfly Valley) – Alınca – Fethiye (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) After breakfast, climb up via Kabak valley to Alinca mountain village (740m). Today will not be easy as is generally ascent, but the views are good with the Kabak bay and then Seven Capes. Transfer back to Fethiye. Check in Guesthouse and diner at traditional tent with music. Accommodation in guesthoue Trekking time 5 hours / 14 km

DAY 4 : Fethiye – Rhodes (Greece) (Breakfast) After breakfast ferry to Rhodes. Check in hotel. You can take hop on hop off bus and visit old part of town with many nice restaurant around. Accommodation in Hotel

DAY 5 : Rhodes – Fethiye (Breakfast) After breakfast you can take public bus to Lindos and return back to Rhodes for the 4pm ferry to Fethiye. Transfer to Dalaman airport for your next destination.

10 Days Lycian Way Fethiye-Patara with Greece Rhodes Tour Code: TUR-LWFP-P10 Private Group Season: May, Oct Itinerary subject to changes

DAY 1: Fethiye (Dinner) Pickup from Dalaman Airport and transfer to Fethiye. Check in Guesthouse and explore the local fish market and have dinner there. Accommodation in Guesthouse in Fethiye

DAY 2 : Fethiye (Breakfast, Dinner) After breakfast at hotel, enjoy a hike from Fethiye to Kayakoy and Oludeniz with packed lunch. Afternoon transfer back to Fethiye and enjoy dinner in a Turkish tent with music. Accommodation in Guesthouse in Fethiye

DAY 3 : Fethiye – Rhodes (Greece) – Fethiye (Breakfast, DInner) After breakfast ferry to Rhodes. You can take hop on hop off bus and visit old part of town with many nice restaurant around. Return back to Rhodes for the 4pm ferry to Fethiye. Accommodation in Guesthouse in Fethiye

DAY 4: Fethiye – Faralya (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) After breakfast, transfer to starting point and trek along the ridge of Mt. Babadag. This part of Lycian Way has the most magnificent view which contain blue lagoon (Oludeniz), butterfly valley and paragliders. Then we will begin ascend to Faralya. Accommodation in a pension/ hotel in Faralya. Trekking time: 6 hours

DAY 5 :Faralya (Butterfly Valley) – Kabak (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) After breakfast, climb up to Kabak valley. Accommodation in Bungalow Trekking time 4 hours / 10 km

DAY 6 :Kabak – Alınca (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) After breakfast, continue asend to Alinca mountain village (740m). Today will not be easy as is generally ascent, but the views are good with the Kabak bay and then Seven Capes. Accommodation in bungalow. Trekking time 6 hours / 10 km

DAY 7 : Alınca – Gey – Bel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Begin descend to Sancaklı Beach and ascend for 2 hours, follow a cliff to reach to Gey village. Continue trek to Village Bel. Accommodation in village house/ guesthouse/ bungalow in Bel. Trekking time 6 hours / 14 km

DAY 8 : Bel – Belceğiz – Gavurağılı – Patara (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Today’s first destination will be before descend to Gavuragili village which is near the seaside. We will then transfer to ancient city of Patara. Accommodation in guesthouse at Patara. Trekking time 6 hours / 14 km

DAY 9 : Delikkemer – Fethiye (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Today you will be amazed when you see the Delikkemer. After a short break for pictures, we will pass over the Roman aqueduct. We will stop near the old well and under the pine trees for lunch. We will then transfer back to Fethiye. Accommodation in Fethiye guesthouse. Trekking time 4 hours / 12km

DAY 10 : Fethiye Depart (Breakfast) After breakfast, transfer to Dalaman Airport.

LAND Price per person in SGD

Season May, Oct

5 Days Lycian Way Fethiye-Alınca with Greece Rhodes (Private Group) ~ Tour Code TUR-LWFR-P5

10 Days Lycian Way Fethiye-Patara with Greece Rhodes Private Group ~ Tour Code TUR-LWFP-P10

Email us for the price!

Price is subjected to changes without prior notice

LAND Price includes

• All transfer as mentioned
• Accommodation in guesthouse, village house, bungalow
• Meals as mentioned in itinerary
• English speaking Guide
• Tours as mentioned (Turkish bath for 7 Days program)
• Briefing prior departure
• 15% for gears from X-Boundaries

Price excludes

• All airfares, Airport taxes and fuel surcharge
• Expenses of personal nature
• Visa fees if applicable
• Tips to guides
• Other tours not mentioned

Seven Capes Trek

This exciting self-guided trek follows the prettiest parts of the Lycian Way, Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath. The route meanders over bare hillsides and through scented pine forests overlooking the blue Mediterranean. It dips down to wonderful hidden beaches where sparkling waves lap smooth sands. The region south of Fethiye is known as the Seven Capes, a stunning coastline where steep hillsides drop abruptly into the sea. We start in Kayaköy close to the famous Ölüdeniz lagoon and follow well-preserved foot paths that meander along this coast, sometimes staying high above it in Faralya and Alınca; but also passing through tiny, secluded coves such as Kabak with white, sandy beaches that give ample opportunity for a swim. The trek ends at the impressive ruins of Patara, one of the principal cities of ancient Lycia, located near one of the finest and whitest beaches of Turkey.

Best travel time:

For tours without fixed departure dates you can email us at: [email protected] or you can contact us using the "Contact Us" page. We will provide you with a tailormade itinerary and quotation.

Difficulty Level

Grade 2 : Gentle. Trekking averages 5/6 hrs per day with daysack. Daily altitude differences up to 600m in hilly and mountainous areas. Hiking can be on stony foot paths and some dirt tracks with occasional steep ascents.

Lycian Way Trekking Tours Self-Guided

€745 per person, price based on double/twin room occupancy. €190 single room supplement traveling together. €315 single room supplement traveling alone.

You can start this tour any day. An additional night at Patara with airport transfer the next morning can be arranged (price on request).

all transfers (also from/to airport Dalaman) and luggage transfers during the trek (except for walk day 2)

all accommodation

6x breakfast

5x lunch (picnic)

transfer on day 2 between Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy (by bus/taxi)

1x dinner in Kayaköy

soft or alcoholic drinks during meals

entrance fees to museums and sites

tips and gratuities

Customers should have good quality hard soled trekking boots, rain gear, swimwear, sunhat and sunblock, and a 30-40 litre daysack. Walking sticks are recommended.

You pack, we take care of the rest! We transfer your luggage between the accommodations while you enjoy your walk. Our aim is to make your holiday more enjoyable. During the walks, you carry your daysack only.

Accommodation

On your first nights you stay near Kayaköy – an abandoned Greek village, beautifully portrayed in the 2004 novel Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières. The delicious home cooked meals of your host at the small eco-guesthouse are served under the grapevine covered courtyard near the swimming pool. In Faralya you stay in free-standing wooden cabins set in a lovely garden with fruit trees and pool. From the restaurant terrace stunning views to the sea and Butterfly Valley below can be enjoyed. The village houses in Alınca and Gey offer basic but clean lodging and very tasty traditional Turkish meals. Many guests find these nights the most memorable of their trip! In Alınca the house is situated at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea and the stunning sunsets. In Gey you stay right in the heart of the village, surrounded by an impressive landscape of stone built terraces. In Patara you are guest to a very welcoming family in their pension with garden. Dinner is with lots of home grown fruits, vegetables and herbs and the Turkish breakfast can be enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the pool.

During the tour, you will enjoy natural, regional and rich Turkish food. Evening meals consist of a soup or salads, a main course and fruit or sweet for dessert. Lunches will be picnics provided by the accommodations.

Day 1: Arrival & optional walk

Upon your arrival at Dalaman airport you have a transfer to Kayaköy (1,5hrs) for your check-in at the accommodation. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse in Kayaköy.

Day 2: Kayaköy-Ölüdeniz (9km / 3hrs / +200m / -350m)

The walk takes you right through the ruined village of Kayaköy. Once a thriving Greek village, Kayaköy has over one thousand houses, two churches, fourteen chapels, and two schools. It was completely deserted in 1923 when the orthodox Christian inhabitants had to move to Greece following the Turkish War of Independence. Climbing out of the village the path crosses a green headland to arrive at the famous white beaches of Ölüdeniz. You may enjoy a swimming break before taking the minibus back to Kayaköy (pay locally). Dinner not included. Overnight at guesthouse in Kayaköy.

Day 3: Ovacık - Faralya (14km / 5-6hrs / +660m / -680m)

We transfer you to the beginning of the Lycian Way (15mins) where you start your hike with spectacular views towards the sea and Ölüdeniz lagoon. You ascend the lower slopes of Baba Dağı (Father Mountain) following a paved mule path. After passing the villages of Kozağaç and Kirme on a stretch of road you descend an age-old path to the small village of Faralya on the green slopes above the Butterfly valley. Dinner and overnight in pension in Faralya.

Day 4: Faralya - Alınca (13km / 5-6hrs / +750m / -450m)

You walk from Faralya to Alınca along a forested path passing high above the secluded cove of Kabak. You will climb up a beautiful old mule trail to the small hamlet of Alınca, with impressive views over Yedi Burun (Seven Capes). Dinner and overnight in village house in Alınca.

Day 5: Alınca - Sidyma (11km / 4hrs / +490m / -660m)

You walk along the spectacular Seven Capes coastline towards a pasture with an Ottoman cistern. There you have the choice to descend along a cobble stone trail to the secluded beach of Kalabantia, explore the ruins of the ancient harbour and swim in the crystal clear waters (additional 5km / 2,5hrs / +400m / - 400m). After returning to the main trail you follow and old mule trail inland and uphill to reach ancient Sidyma where you explore the ruins of this once huge city scattered around an inland valley and two hills. The village houses are constructed using ancient building blocks; inscriptions, tombs and city walls are visible. Transfer to Gey (30 mins). Dinner and overnight in pension in Gey.

Day 6: Gey - Gavurağili (14km / 6-7hrs / +500m / -1000m)

You trek along a tiny goat path around the spectacular bay of Gemili to Bel. After a short section of dirt road you start your descent along the last of the Seven Capes following a steep, rocky Roman road down to Gavurağili. You meet your transfer vehicle here for the transfer to Patara. Patara is famous for its very long beach where the giant sea turtles, Caretta Caretta come for laying their eggs. It was also the birthplace of saint Nicholas, who became known as bishop of nearby (Myra) Demre. Dinner and overnight in pension in Patara.

Day 7: Delikkemer - Patara (11km / 3hrs / +225m / -340m) & Departure

After a short transfer you visit the remains of a Roman aqueduct spanning a ravine at Delikkemer. It was part of a system that supplied water from the mountains to ancient Patara on the coast. You walk back from the aquaduct to Patara, partly following the course of the ancient water pipes. After exploring the ruins of this once leading city of the Lycian League, with a theatre, bath complexes and temples, you can relax on the beach. The trek ends with a transfer to Dalaman airport (2hrs).

OTHER TOURS YOU MIGHT LIKE

1 night camp & 2 days trek.

The fairy chimneys and secret valleys offers fascinating walks to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. And It is spectacular feeling to waking up to the glorious hot air balloons floating across the valleys as well.

A Trek Back In Time

This trek will take us to the real villages, where you will get the chance to be witness to the daily life of local people. Trek in these untouched valleys with chimneys around will lead you to villages where people left their home during 1924. We will see very fine examples of late ethnic settlements and architecture.

Aegean Coast Luxury Cycle Touring

This luxury cycling tour is the finest and most complete holiday in the Biking in Turkey portfolio, designed from the ground up to meet world class service standards and exceed expectations every step of the way. Based on our popular and highly praised Aegean Road Bike Touring programme, this tour breaks the route up into smaller, more manageable chunks, discarding anything other than the most perfect rides, and anchoring the evenings at superior boutique hotels throughout. With shorter distances averaging 50km per day the route retains enough hills to be challenging but leaves you with plenty of free time simply to enjoy your time with us. Whether you choose to explore historical sights, relax in blissful tranquility on little-known beaches or unwind and distress in the fine facilities of our hotels, you will relish the time and freedom. The route itself takes to a network of roads that link coastal mountains with paradise beaches and rugged peninsulas. It is a chance to experience the true beauty and character of Turkey’s less-developed seaside and coastal hinterland areas, far away from the hustle bustle of modern life.

Aegean Coast Road Bike Touring

A week of perfect cycle touring beside the blissful Mediterranean. Choose from guided or self-guided options to suit you best. Flexible tour lengths from 5 to 12 days. Explore the ancient city of Ephesus. Cycle the Bozburun peninsula with it’s beautiful coves and villages. Discovering little known beaches on the Dilek Peninsula. Dalyan’s protected turtle beach and unique fresh water lagoon. Lake Bafa National Park and it’s unique rock formations. Get away from it all in the remote wilderness of Latmos Mountains.

Aladağlar - Seven Lakes

The Aladağlar massif boasts the region’s highest peak (Demirkazık summit, which stretches to 3756 m). The geology of the area is responsible for the interesting rock formations and waterfalls. The erosion of limestone has created a fascinating karstic topography and hydrography, especially in the Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) valley, where the karstic underground rivers and caverns collect the surface water.

Aladağlar Mountain Trek 3 Days

It will be once in your lifetime to wake up in the middle of the night to the most clear milky way. Two nights nearby 1000m height lime stone walls and walk inside the valleys with stunning views here is the chance. Very well organized camp sites with toilet and shower facilities are waiting for you.

Cappadocia Adventure Biking MTB

This relatively wild and challenging journey offers a true taste of Cappadocia’s finest landscapes, history and local hospitality without being too technical or physically intense. It connects incredible historical sights, off the beaten track villages and un-missable panoramas with wonderful cycling routes on dirt tracks, quiet roads and smooth flowing off road trails. The tour is a journey of discovery, spanning much of the region including the Ihlara Canyon, Soganli Valley, and “Fairy Chimney” lunar landscape that stretches from Mustafapasa to Goreme. It’s a mix of dirt road adventure bike touring, relaxed cycle touring and some great mountain biking that is suitable for all cyclists. The emphasis is on discovery, and there are plenty of sights, things to do and unforgettable photo opportunities throughout. This tour is a great choice for small groups, couples and families.

Cappadocia Photo Tour - 2 Days

What do you think about photographing the majesty of almost 300 Yılkı horses in the heart of Anatolia just like shooting a piece for a film or documentary? Are you ready to capture the same great scenery as Nuri Bilge Ceylan did in Winter Sleep, his Golden Palm Award winning movie at the Cannes Film Festival? This Yılkı Horses Photography workshop is organised by Anadolu’ya Yolculuk, under the inspiring leadership of Nuri Çorbacıoğlu, an AFIAP award-winning photographer. Apart from catching the best images of the horses we also pay a visit to a Kyrgyz Otağı (a large nomadic marquee) in the Avanos district where you can relive the centuries old central Asian traditions! The magical eternity and powerful reflections of the Salt Lake with a horseman or people dressed in their traditional outfits, it will be a visual feast and magical atmosphere that you cannot even imagine! Whether you travel in the white snows of winter, between the fresh spring showers or in a huge dust cloud during summer, each season will offer you stunning images! This will be a tour focussing on PHOTOGRAPHY as you will visit the best photographical locations under the expert consultancy of professional photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu; a tour full of DISCOVERY as you will see the best viewpoints and the least known corners of the cities with our expert guide and lastly a definite GOURMET tour, as we include the best cuisine of the region and you won’t turn back until you have tasted every special food there is!

Cappadocia Photo Tour - 3 Days

Are you ready to capture the same great scenery as Nuri Bilge Ceylan did in Winter Sleep, his Golden Palm Award winning movie at the Cannes Film Festival? What do you think about photographing the majesty of almost 300 Yılkı horses in the heart of Anatolia just like shooting a piece for a film or documentary? This Yılkı Horses Photography workshop is organised by Anadolu’ya Yolculuk, under the inspiring leadership of Nuri Çorbacıoğlu, an AFIAP award-winning photographer. Apart from catching the best images of the horses we also pay a visit to a Kyrgyz Otağı (a large nomadic marquee) in the Avanos district where you can relive the centuries old central Asian traditions! The magical eternity and powerful reflections of the Salt Lake with a horseman or people dressed in their traditional outfits, it will be a visual feast and magical atmosphere that you cannot even imagine! Whether you travel in the white snows of winter, between the fresh spring showers or in a huge dust cloud during summer, each season will offer you stunning images! This will be a tour focussing on PHOTOGRAPHY as you will visit the best photographical locations under the expert consultancy of professional photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu; a tour full of DISCOVERY as you will see the best viewpoints and the least known corners of the cities with our expert guide and lastly a definite GOURMET tour, as we include the best cuisine of the region and you won’t turn back until you have tasted every special food there is!

Cappadocia Photo Tour - 5 Days

This will be a tour focussing on PHOTOGRAPHY as you will visit the best photographical locations under the expert consultancy of professional photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu; a tour full of DISCOVERY as you will see the best viewpoints and the least known corners of the cities with our expert guide and lastly a definite GOURMET tour, as we include the best cuisine of the region and you won’t turn back until you have tasted every special food there is! What do you think about photographing the majesty of almost 300 Yılkı horses in the heart of Anatolia just like shooting a piece for a film or documentary? Are you ready to capture the same great scenery as Nuri Bilge Ceylan did in Winter Sleep, his Golden Palm Award winning movie at the Cannes Film Festival? This Yılkı Horses Photography workshop is organised by Anadolu’ya Yolculuk, under the inspiring leadership of Nuri Çorbacıoğlu, an AFIAP award-winning photographer. Apart from catching the best images of the horses we also pay a visit to a Kyrgyz Otağı (a large nomadic marquee) in the Avanos district where you can relive the centuries old central Asian traditions! The magical eternity and powerful reflections of the Salt Lake with a horseman or people dressed in their traditional outfits, it will be a visual feast and magical atmosphere that you cannot even imagine! Whether you travel in the white snows of winter, between the fresh spring showers or in a huge dust cloud during summer, each season will offer you stunning images!

Cappadocia Road Bike Touring

Cappadocia, with its unreal rock formations, cave dwellings and “fairy chimneys” is undeniably one of Turkey’s most captivating, unique and unmissable areas and a perfect destination for a road cycling tour. This tour links Cappadocia with the nearby Aladaglar Mountains – a jagged alpine range of limestone peaks surrounded beautiful forests, canyons and waterfalls. Designed to satisfy keen cyclists without being overly demanding, the tour includes some long days but the effort is more than rewarded. We get the most from our time by using minibus transfers to cut out any unsuitable areas, leaving an itinerary jam packed with highlights and offering first class riding throughout. The tour is a true journey of discovery that covers much of this intriguing region. There is much to explore along the way, and beyond the usual scope of stop-learn-take photo you will genuinely be able to explore and discover yourselves. Cappadocia is a land that frees the Indiana Jones inside us all, with history around every corner and an incredible mix of colours and cultures.

Cappadocia Singletrack MTB

Welcome to Turkey’s most awesome scenery: abounding with intense, technical ups, super fun smooth, flowing chutes and adrenaline fueled rock garden descents. This is Turkey’s trail biking paradise- a volcanic landscape offering challenging and rewarding slick rock; lush, green singletracks and unforgettable caves, tunnels and canyons. Accessible to all riders with a little off-road experience, the sandy terrain makes Cappadocia a perfect place for beginners, imp-rovers and experts alike. Biking in Cappadocia is so much fun, but what this sets this tour apart is quality of hotel accommodation and restaurants used throughout, complimented by a breadth of historical and cultural interest rarely matched on world class singletrack terrain such as this. Cappadocia has it all- great trails, friendly, welcoming people and a landscape that will blow your mind….

Carian Trail - Bozburun

The 850 km Carian trail is the longest of Turkey's long-distance trekking routes. Located in the south western part of Turkey it runs through the provinces of Muğla and Aydın, passing by numerous monuments from the Carian civilization that thrived in this region during Antiquity. The region has its own unique architecture and many ancient villages, untouched coves, hills full of olive and almond trees, and ancient cities, some of which are only accessible on foot. This guided tour takes in the Bozburun Peninsula, one of the 5 sections of the Carian trail. Leaving busy tourist centres such as Marmaris behind, we hike from the blues of the sea to the greens of the hills, starting on forested slopes above Kumlübük and slowly making our way to the more barren hillsides of the southern part of the peninsula. We pass sleepy coastal towns and traditional mountain villages, on the way enjoying the ever changing, amazing views.

Central Lycia

The Lycian Way is well known for its famous stages passing by Ölüdeniz Beach, Gelidonya Lighthouse or Mount Olympos. The Teke Peninsula is however home to many more natural beauties and historical treasures! In Central Lycia, the region between Demre and Kaş, some great walks and interesting visits can be made from comfortable, well-located accommodations. This guided tour will introduce you to this rocky Mediterranean coast where the Lycian Way leads past beautiful beaches and turquoise waters, as well as some impressive remains of ancient Lycian cities and early Christian monasteries.

Combined Cappadocia & Lycian Way

This tour is designed for those who would like to enjoy both the beauty of the Lycian Way and the mysticism of Cappadocia. CAPPADOCIA is a volcanic land, the erosion of the “tuff” (volcanic ash) that is abundant in the area has shaped the region. It has become a refuge for the early Christians escaping Roman persecution. Rich and varied cultural traditions continue to exist in the area, kept alive by the villagers even today. Walking possibilities are endless in the valleys full of cave dwellings and surreal rock formations. Turkey's first long-distance route, the LYCIAN WAY links ancient Roman roads and Ottoman caravan routes with muletrails and forestry tracks in a 509 km walk along the spectacular Turquoise coast. The route passes through ruins of many ancient Lycian cities and visits the most worthwhile spots on the coast.

Erciyes Mountain & Soğanlı Valley

Mount Erciyes (3917m.) is one of the best mountaineering and winter sports centers in Turkey. This dormant volcano rises south of the city of Kayseri. Erciyes is exposed to every kind of atmospheric movement and winter brings heavy snow on it. On a historical note: there is a fire worshippers’ (Zoroaster/ Zarathustra) temple around the summit. Monks in historic times have visited this summit several times. The first known successful climb in modern times was performed by WJ Hamilton in 1837. On the way we visit Soğanlı Valley, it is an ideal introduction to the riches of Cappadocia, helping you to understand how different cultures have shaped the development of this region steeped in history.

Fit in 2 Days in Cappadocia

If you have limited time to breathe the culture and geography of Mystic Cappadocia, this program will make you happy.

Göreme Daily Cycling Tours

Daily tours offer the maximum amount of freedom and choice in any Turkish bike tour. We frequently operate centre based tours from our base in Göreme, Cappadocia: an incredibly scenic area which is fast becoming a hub for all kinds of biking experiences! These guided daily tours are less technical than our Singletrack Tour selection, and are suitable for all. Tours are on a mix of sandy dirt tracks and quiet, asphalted back roads. Tours include professional guide, lunch and bike/helmet hire.

Hasan Mountain & Ihlara Valley

Mount Hasan (3268m.) ranks as the second highest mountain of central Anatolia. This tour starts with a long but easy walk in the Ihlara Valley. On the way it is possible to visit one of the famous underground cities. Ihlara Valley -13 km hike- is one of the most popular day treks. The walls in the valley are carved with churches and some have really unique wallpaintings inside. The ascent of Mount Hasan takes place on the second day.

Hike with Legends

You will explore fairy chimneys, deep valleys, hidden rock-cut churches with wall paintings, tunnels, underground cities, mysterious rock dwellings and get a taste of the traditional life and cuisine of Turkey.

Historical Cappadocia

The tour is a chance to explore the central part of Turkey known as Cappadocia. The area is unique with volcanic formation in the world. You will explore fairy chimneys, deep valleys, rock-cut churches with wall paintings, underground cities, rock dwellings and traditional life and cuisine of Turkey.

Ihlara Valley Exploration

A 13 km (10 mi) long gorge cut into volcanic rock . The only ever green place in whole Cappadocia. Halfway on the trail, at the base of the village of Belisirma, we will stop to enjoy lunch on the river. After lunch we continue along the more remote trails until we reach the village of Selime. This part of the walk looks significantly different as the gorge widens and many farmers use the lands for planting vegetables . if time allows we will be able to visit the breathtaking Selime monastery perched at the top of the valley.

Kaçkar Pasture Trek

This tour takes in the lower slopes of the Kaçkar and can already take place in July, the beginning of the trekking season in this mountainous region. It is relatively quiet and trekkers have a greater chance of observing wildlife than in the more crowded weeks of August. Wild flowers cover every slope and the snowmelt streams gush in every valley. This is a tour for those who don’t aspire to do the summit and prefer to stay in village houses and pensions. July and August are the best times to visit this heaven on Earth. We will walk from one mountain yayla (pasture) to the other and see glacial lakes, flowers and snowcapped peaks along the way.

Kaçkar Summit Trek

This one week hike crosses the high passes of the Kaçkar Mountain range from north to south, including an optional ascent to the peak of Kaçkar (H: 3937m). We stay in pensions in the local villages and camp in the high pastures for our summit ascent.

Lycian Way: Antalya - Kaş

This 14 day self-guided trek follows a large section of Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath – the Lycian Way. The famous route snakes its way above the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of 'the Land of Light' Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos to the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya. The trek continues on coastal paths around the sheltered harbour and tiny islands of Simena and Kekova lagoon, famous for the underwater ruins of the Sunken City that can be visited by boat. You end the tour at the charming coastal town of Kaş with a day full of activities at sea.

This 14 day guided trek follows a large section of Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath – the Lycian Way. The famous route snakes its way above the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of 'the Land of Light' Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos to the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya. The trek continues on coastal paths around the sheltered harbour and tiny islands of Simena and Kekova lagoon, famous for the underwater ruins of the Sunken City that can be visited by boat. We end the tour at the charming coastal town of Kaş with a day full of activities at sea.

Mount Ararat

The extinct volcano Ağri Dağı (Mount Ararat) is, at 5,165 metres, the highest peak in Turkey. It is the final cone in the chain of volcanoes which march across the bare savannah of the central Anatolian plain. The ascent follows the southern route spreading the climb over three days up and one day down. We will be using two campsites at 3200m and 4200 metres, and mules to carry supplies to the first camp. The trek starts from Eliköyü, an abandoned village in the foothills and sticks to a ridge for much of the way, thus avoiding the Ulker glacier which careers down the face into deep and jumbled gorges below. The path, though rocky, is clearly marked. Above 5000m are permanent ice fields, so crampons, ice axes and ropes are required. The summit is reached via a long ridge and is no more than a rounded hump marked by cairns.

On Top of Cappadocia

It is one of the favorite as it provided many great views and interesting learning opportunities for the churches carved within the caves. There is only one way to have whole view of Cappadocia, either fly with balloon or do for trekking up in Bozdag. (1300 m)

Pirate Coast Trek

This challenging self-guided trek follows the highest and most rugged section of the Lycian Way, Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath. The route winds up and down along the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos. It finishes at the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya.

This challenging guided trek follows the highest and most rugged section of Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath - the Lycian Way. The route winds up and down along the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos to finish at the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya.

This exciting guided trek follows the prettiest parts of Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath - the Lycian Way. The region south of Fethiye is known as the Seven Capes, a stunning coastline where steep promontories drop abruptly into the sea. The route meanders over bare hillsides and through scented pine forests overlooking the blue Mediterranean. We start in Kayaköy close to the famous white sands of Ölüdeniz lagoon and follow well-preserved foot paths to Faralya, Alınca and Yediburun enjoying the vast sea views from their elevated locations. In between, the route dips down to wonderful hidden beaches such as Kabak where sparkling waves lap smooth sands, idyllic places for a swim. The trek ends at the impressive ruins of Patara, one of the principal cities of ancient Lycia and located near one of the finest beaches of Turkey.

St. Paul Trail

This self-guided trek starts on the shores of lake Eğirdir and follows the eastern branch of the Saint Paul trail, the long distance walk between Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvaç) deep in the Taurus mountains and Perge near the coast. The trek allows you to immerse yourself in the way of life of the inhabitants of the old stone and timber villages along the route; you will often stay in village houses, see the local handcrafts, watch cheese and yoghurt making and enjoy the tasty village foods. The trip includes a visit to the major Roman city of Selge as well as many opportunities to look at bulbs and birds during the walks. Our trail follows beautiful sections of Roman roads and migration routes in use since Roman times (and perhaps even walked by st Paul himself!) in this spectacular area of forests, canyons, rivers and peaks.

This guided trek starts from the ruins of Perge (east of Antalya) and follows parts of the eastern branch of the long distance walk from Perge to Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvaç), deep in the Taurus mountains. The trek allows us to immerse ourselves in the way of life of the inhabitants of the old stone and timber villages along the route; we will frequently stay in village houses, see the local handcrafts, watch cheese and yoghurt making and enjoy the tasty village foods. The trip includes a visit to the major Greek/Roman city of Perge as well as many opportunities to look at bulbs and birds during the walks. Our trail follows beautiful sections of Roman roads and migration routes in use since Roman times (and perhaps even walked by st Paul himself) in this spectacular area of forests, canyons, rivers and peaks.

The Green Valleys of Cappadocia

The love valley gives you chance to have great shots of Cappadocia with small fields, lush vegetation and strange rock formations. Pigeon Valley is named for the many pigeon houses or dovecotes carved into the rocks and cliffs. Even though they are few pigeons only.

Trekking in Cappadocia

The fairy chimneys and secret valleys of Cappadocia offer the opportunity for some of the most fascinating day walks to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. The famous troglodyte villages and the amazing scenery are best enjoyed on foot. In this one week tour, walking possibilities are endless in this area of cave lived valleys and surreal rock formations. The walking is of moderate difficulty and is generally between 4 and 5 hours each day. There is also time to visit some of the attractive villages on route.

Turkey's Highlights

Capturing the highlights of Turkey in one tour is not easy, but this 14 day culture & hike program comes close. It gives you a chance to discover the rich history of Istanbul, the city that embraces two continents and to admire the 'out of this world' natural and cultural wonders of Cappadocia. Next, you can strengthen your legs on some of the most beautiful sections of the Lycian Way, before ending the holiday with a visit to one of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey, Ephesus.

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Photo story: tombs, turquoise seas and trekking along Turkey's Lycian Way

On the Teke Peninsula of southern Turkey, a 470-mile network of hiking trails connects ancient cities of the Lycian civilisation with a dramatic Mediterranean coastline. The Lycian Way was the country's first long-distance trek, where pine-covered mountains above the turquoise ​waters provide a scenic backdrop to the mysterious rock-hewn tombs ​left by the Lycian people.

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Hiking the Lycian Way in Turkey: How to See the Best Bits in 10 Days

If you’re thinking about hiking the Lycian Way but are short on time, then this post is for you!  My friend and I performed extensive online research in order to formulate a 10-day itinerary, covering the best and most accessible parts of the route.  We hiked with just day packs and stayed at guesthouses along the way.  If you’re thinking of doing something similar, to follow are all the details of our adventure 😀

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. All this means is that if you make a purchase through one of the links I have provided, I will earn a small commission as a result but the cost to you will remain exactly the same.

Earlier this year a friend and I set out to hike the best bits of the Lycian Way trail in just 10 days.  We planned to travel with just a single carry-on bag each —therefore, keeping the weight on our backs to a bare minimum — and to stay in a combination of hotels, guest houses and homestays along the way (depending upon availability).

This meant that we had to thoroughly research our route, in order to ensure that the daily distances were doable and that we could find affordable accommodation options as close to the trail as possible, at the end of each day.  And, for those parts of the trail we wanted to skip (due to remoteness, lack of accommodation, or simply because they were less interesting than other parts), we needed to ensure the provision of public transport to our next destination.

And, let me tell you, this was no easy task!

Firstly, not a huge amount of blog posts have been written about hiking the Lycian Way, and, secondly, of those we did find, very few mentioned transportation at all.  Perhaps people either hike the whole thing (Sarah Williams, of Tough Girl Challenges, did, and you can find her vlogs here ), they simply concentrate on one particular section, or they wild camp (thus removing the need to skip sections where accommodation is unavailable).

For these reasons, I wanted to publish a comprehensive guide to hiking the best bits of the Lycian Way in just 10 days.  This guide will give you information and advice about:

• the best times of year to hike the trail;
• what to wear;
• what to pack;
• the types of food and accommodation available;
• the costs involved;
• ease of navigation;
• difficulty levels and challenges; and
• the towns, villages and historical sites you’ll see along the trail.

Introduction to the Lycian Way

The Lycian Way ( Likya Yolu ) is a long-distance hiking trail in Turkey that’s named after the Lycian civilization who once ruled this region.  The 509-kilometre (316-mile) route primarily follows the Mediterranean coastline (with a few inland mountain sections thrown in)  between modern-day Fethiye and modern-day Antalya, passing ancient Lycian ruins and picturesque mountain villages along the way.

It was Turkey’s very first long-distance hiking trail, created in 1999 by British expat, Kate Clow — who, incidentally, has written the only comprehensive guide to hiking the Lycian Way.

It generally takes around 29 days to hike the entire length of the trail, walking an average of 18 kilometres (11 miles) per day.  These may sound like relatively easy daily distances for the experienced hiker, but it’s important to note that the trail does not involve much level walking — there are a lot of ascents and descents involved.  The path is easier at the start near Fethiye, but gets more difficult as it progresses, which is why the majority of hikers start at Fethiye.

To summarise, here are a few stats:

• Length of trail : 509 kilometres (316 miles).  You’ll find variations of this distance listed online — firstly, because the ‘official’ start of the Lycian Way is actually in Ovaçik, around 15 miles from Fethiye, and secondly, because the trail was extended in 2014, and now finishes at Geyikbayırı.  There are also a number of alternative routes, add-ons and diversions.
• Ascent/descent : 23,085 metres (75,740 feet) / 22,675 metres (73,385)
• Difficulty level : moderate-hard, mainly due to the constantly changing elevations and the rocky trail surface.

Hiking the Lycian Way | When to Go

Turkey can get incredibly hot during the summer months and there’s not a huge amount of shade along large parts of the trail, so I would recommend hiking the Lycian Way during the spring (March – May) or autumn (September – October).  We hiked the route in March and, whilst we had a few cloudy days, the weather stayed dry and the temperatures were manageable.  The mountain sections can be rather treacherous during the winter months, and I wouldn’t fancy attempting some of the descents during/after heavy rainfall!

Hiking the Lycian Way | Useful Resources

• TrailSmart app .You’ll find GPS data and detailed descriptions for each section of the route, as well as details on where to find drinking water,  pensions/homestays/campsites.  We used this in conjunction with the Footpath app, to navigate our way along the Lycian Way trail.
• Footpath app .  I absolutely love this app and use it on every hike I undertake. Basically it allows you to draw routes with your finger, following footpaths and roads, and then makes them into a nice little route map (complete with distances and elevation) that you can follow in real time.  You do have to map the route before you walk it, but I found that quite easy because it has the ‘ Lykia Yolu ‘ marked on it.  We also found the Footpath maps a lot more user friendly than the TrailSmart app if we happened to go off trail, as they show all your surroundings as well as the route itself, so you can figure out how best to get back on the trail.
• Oanda Currency Converter app .  Another app I’ve been using for years — it allows you to do currency conversions without being connected to a phone network or the internet.  Exchange rates are the same as those used by auditing firms and banks.
• TripIt app .  This is another app that I recommend to everyone I know who travels.  It’s particularly useful for backpacking/adventure style travel, where you’re moving on to a different destination every couple of days.  Or, when you’re completing a point-to-point hike, where you’re staying somewhere different every single night.  All you need to do is forward any email confirmations for flight and accommodation bookings and bus/train/boat journeys to [email protected] and then TripIt organises these into a handy little itinerary in the app, along with flight numbers, departure/arrival/check-in times, and hotel/guest house addresses and phone numbers.
• Trekopedia website .  I actually only discovered this website when doing research for this post, and I wish I’d found it before hiking the Lycian Way!  The Lycian Way section is still under development and still being added to, but all the core information you should need is already on there, laid out in a very clear manner that’s easy to read and understand.  They also accept contributions (updated info/suggestions/photographs) from readers.

Hiking the Lycian Way | What to Pack

This is largely dependent upon what time of year you are hiking the Lycian Way and whether or not you’re hiking with camping gear. But, assuming that you’re hiking during spring or autumn and are doing as we did, staying in accommodation along the way, here’s what I would recommend that you pack as a bare minimum for 10 days on the trail (which is pretty much what we hiked with):

• A comfortable hiking pack . I took my 20-litre Osprey Tempest , because it fitted within the airline’s cabin bag allowance, so it meant that I didn’t need to pay any additional baggage fees.
• A comfortable, worn-in pair of hiking boots . I’ve recently bought a pair of Arc’teryx Aerios FL GTX and they’re so much lighter than my previous pair of Keens, and super grippy too!
• A waterproof jacket . I took my Inov-8 Stormshell jacket , which is the lightest waterproof jacket I own, at just 150 grams.
• Several pairs of lightweight, comfortable hiking socks .
• A comfortable sports bra .
• A pair of leggings or walking trousers — whichever you favour for hiking; I prefer leggings for comfort and ease of movement.
• 2 x lightweight, quick-drying t-shirts.
• 1 x long-sleeve top.
• 1 x fleece.
• A change of clothes for the evening , including flip-flops or sandals.
• A headtorch .
• A portable battery charger — an absolute necessity when you’re relying so heavily on navigation apps.
• A few emergency energy bars .  For those occasions when breakfast is not supplied at your guest house and there are no cafes en-route for some distance into the hike.
• A reusable water bottle with filter — so that you can fill it up from any water source.
• A waterproof backpack cover .
• Toiletries.  Grüum make some fantastic solid shampoo and conditioner bars.
• A lightweight down jacket , for those colder evenings.  Whilst the temperatures were warm during the day, they really plummeted at night, especially up in the mountains.  So, I was very grateful for my Rab microlight alpine down jacket .
• A decent pair of sunglasses.
• Sunscreen .  A little goes a long way; I took just a 50ml bottle with me and still had some left at the end of the hike.  But then, I did have my legs covered, so I only really used it on my arms, face and neck.

Hiking the Lycian Way | Getting There

The closest airport to Fethiye is Dalaman (approximately 45 kilometres (28 miles) away), and the closest airport to Geyikbayırı is Antalya (approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) away), but we found cheaper flights in and out of Antalya, and then caught the bus across to Fethiye to start our walk.  It all depends on where abouts you’re flying from and what works for you.  I always check Skyscanner to research flights and Busbud to research buses.  Rest assured, there are plenty of buses to Fethiye from either Dalaman or Antalya airport.

Hiking the Lycian Way | Getting Around

Obviously, if you are hiking the Lycian Way from point A to point B, you won’t need public transport.  But, because we’d decided to hike the best bits of the Lycian Way, we were reliant on public transportation to get us past the less interesting and least accessible parts of the trail.

As I said in the introduction to this post, finding any information online about public transportation along the Lycian Way proved incredibly challenging.  Some articles suggested that local minibuses ( dolmuses) ran frequently along most stretches of the Lycian Way and that you could just hop on and hop off to get to where you needed to be.  Whereas others indicated that they only ran between the major towns and cities.  We found dolmus stops marked on lots of the maps we checked, but could not find timetables anywhere online.

We flew out to Turkey, hoping there would be more information available on the ground when we arrived (speaking to local residents, shop, café, and guest house owners etc), but being prepared to wing it if we had to.  And, we definitely had to on quite a few occasions!

Hiking the Lycian Way | Accommodation

Accommodation along the Lycian Way ranges from upscale hotels and luxurious villas (in Kalkan, for instance) to very basic homestays and wooden mountain bungalows like those we stayed at in Bel and Kabak respectively.   We booked those we could on booking.com .  However, there were a few smaller towns/villages along the trail where we simply could not find any accommodation listings on Booking (or, in fact, any of the other sites we checked).  For those, we relied upon recommendations from others in online communities, along with listings on the TrailSmart app mentioned earlier in this post.

Here is a list of all the places we stayed at along the Lycian Way, Turkey:

• Fethiye | Nefis Hotel City .  One of the cheapest places we could find in Fethiye (we paid just £26 for our twin room in March 2023) that also happened to be just steps from the start of the trail.  Considering the price, we were really pleasantly surprised by the standard of this hotel.  We didn’t arrive until after 10 p.m. but the reception staff still happily brought us some much-needed coffees and sold us a couple of soft drinks to take up to the room.  There’s also a lovely roof terrace, where the inclusive breakfast is served every morning.  It’s only a 15-minute walk from the bus station, too.
• Ovaçik | Gold Lion Hotel . Again, we chose this place primarily because of its proximity to the trail.  And again, we were super impressed by what we got for our money. €36 (around £30) bought us this amazing room (pictured below) with a huge bathroom (not pictured).  Ok, so breakfast was not included, but the hotel manager/owner kindly drove us up to a restaurant in the main part of town (albeit only a 10-minute walk, if we had made the journey on foot) so that we could grab some dinner on the evening we arrived.  He happily waited around and caught up with a few friends before driving us back after our meal.

• Kabak | Shiva Camp . Whilst there was rather a lot of building work going on during our stay (I imagine they were giving the site a bit of a spruce up in time for the hiking season peak later in the year), which meant that the camp wasn’t perhaps as ‘idyllic’ as the online photos suggested, the pool was not open and the restaurant was not operating a full service, we could still appreciate Shiva Camp’s beautiful setting, high above Kabak Bay and with views out to sea.  The owner Samim was also the sweetest, most trusting guy we met on the trail.  He had no facility to take a card payment for the room, and we didn’t want to part with the majority of our cash just as we were going into a particularly rural section of the hike, so he gave us his bank details and we promised to do a bank transfer as soon as we got back into the land of reliable wifi.  He even packed us a breakfast to walk with.
• Bel | Fatima Pension .  We only actually spotted two places to stay in the tiny, picturesque village of Bel, and Fatma’s was one of them.  Although very basic in terms of creature comforts (the shower was rather temperamental and there was no heating in the room (but we did have plenty of blankets)), we couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome from Fatma.  The pension is owned by Fatma and her husband (he looks after the land and the goats, and she looks after the home), all the food they supply is homegrown and homecooked, and Fatma loves to hang out and chat to her guests — despite a rather limited command of the English language!  This was the cheapest place we stayed along the trail, at just £17 per night, including breakfast and an evening meal feast.
• Kalkan | Payava Hotel .  This was our one splurge on the trip, mainly because we couldn’t find anything cheaper that was remotely close to the trail.  But, wow — it was beautiful!  Our room was massive, and bright and airy with a small balcony and sea view, there was a lovely sunny terrace upon which to enjoy a late afternoon beer, the included breakfast was amazing, and the staff were super friendly, accommodating and helpful (even in spite of the fact that we weren’t dressed to the standard of their usual clientele!).  Although we paid £65 for the room, I do feel that we got value for money.

• Kas | Mare Nostrum Apart .  Considering the popularity of Kas as a tourist destination, we couldn’t believe what an absolute bargain we scored in Mare Nostrum!  We paid £51 for two nights (as we’d factored in a rest day in Kas).  The rooms here are built around an attractive shaded courtyard, and the whole place is lovely and peaceful, despite only being a stone’s throw from the main street leading down to the harbour.  There’s a supermarket just 100 metres away and the bus station is only 60 metres further, so we couldn’t have asked for a better location either.
• Demre | Santa Suites New Hotel .  Although an overnight stay in Demre cannot be avoided when hiking the Lycian Way (the Myra ruins are close by and are an absolute must-see!), it’s a pretty soulless place that doesn’t seem to serve coffee before 9 a.m. and whose best-rated restaurant is average at best.  Considering this, our accommodation was actually pretty nice, and a lot better than it looked from the outside.  It’s just a five-minute walk from the bus station, around a mile from the trail, and also probably one of the better places to stay in the city (not that there’s a great deal of choice!).
• Adrasan | Duran Pansiyon Bungalow .  Our check-in here didn’t get off to the best start — we arrived to find the site completely devoid of staff or guests and had a brief panic that we’d be sleeping on the beach, because nothing else seemed to be open either!  However, we later discovered that the owners actually live off-site and we were meant to send a message to confirm our arrival 24 hours beforehand.  So, all was well once the owners arrived.  We seemed to be the only guests there though!  Our little wooden bungalow was actually quite cosy, and we enjoyed the inclusive breakfast spread and resident cat.
• Cirali | Alican Pension . All the rooms here have their own little balcony overlooking the guest house’s pretty garden, which is where the inclusive buffet breakfast is served every morning.  Whilst the rooms are basic, they were perfectly sufficient for what we needed, and we liked the location of Alican Pension — hidden away on a little backstreet about half way between the beach and the main street.
• Antalya | Mai Inci Hotel .  Although we paid £40 for a twin room here (which was at the upper end of our nightly budget), we felt it was on a par, in terms of luxury, with our room in Kalkan (which we paid £15 more for).  The gentleman at the reception desk was super helpful, friendly and patient with us, the inclusive buffet breakfast was amazing, and we had a complimentary session at the hotel’s spa (to use the pool and sauna) included in our room rate.  On top of that, the hotel is just minutes from bus and tram stops (for getting to/from the airport) and around a five-minute walk to the harbour, old town and bazaar.

Total accommodation costs for 11 nights = £354 for two people (so, £177 each)

Hiking the lycian way | our 10-day itinerary.

Although we thought we had a rock solid itinerary when we left the UK to start hiking the Lycian Way, things didn’t quite go to plan when we got there.  Firstly, because Jayne sustained a knee injury on the descent from Bel to the Pydnai ruins/Karadere (which meant that we had to adjust the rest of the itinerary to avoid any steep/long downhill sections and just long days in general) and secondly due to elusive dolmuses (local mini buses) , and a lack of timetables/bus stops/available info from locals.

Seeing as though I can’t write about parts of the trail I haven’t walked, the itinerary I’m sharing below will largely reflect the one we actually followed (rather than the one we planned for), but with suggestions for how you can tweak it to improve your experience.

Day One | Fethiye to Ovaçik (Ölüdeniz) – 14.3 kilometres (8.9 miles)

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 16.4km (but we veered off-track to explore the ghost town of Kayaköy) | Elevation gain : 795m | Time : 4h 9m

The primary reason we started hiking the Lycian Way in Fethiye rather than Ovaçik was so that we could visit the ghost town of Kayaköy.  And I’m 100% glad we did, because I loved Kayaköy!   Exploring abandoned places piques my curiosity and imagination.

Whilst I wouldn’t describe the rest of this section as spectacular, it does make for a lovely little warm up, and you will pass some impressive rock-cut tombs and a viewpoint that affords some stunning views down on to Fethiye Bay along the way.

When you set off, you’ll walk along the road for a little while until you reach the trailhead.  Just past the trailhead is (what’s left of) Fethiye Castle and the viewpoint from where the above shot was taken.  Continue a little further uphill (yep, the first three-ish kilometres of today’s hike is pretty much all uphill!) and you’ll branch off to the left and enter a dense forest.

This section of the trail was rather disorientating in parts, but it helped that we were following the route on two separate apps — TrailSmart and Footpath — and could therefore ensure that we stayed on track.

You’ll eventually re-join the road for your arrival into the town of  Kayaköy.  It had started raining at this point so we took up residence in a local cafe while we waited for the storm to pass.  Coincidentally, the cafe we stopped at belonged to a Kayaköy guesthouse we’d previously bookmarked when researching accommodation along the trail.

Once the rain had eased off a little, we headed on to explore the ghost town of Kayaköy, located on the southern edge of town.

Originally known as Levissi, the abandoned village dates back to the 14th century.  Anatolian Muslims and Greek Orthodox Christians lived harmoniously alongside each other in a thriving community that was once home to around 10,000 people.

Kayaköy was forcibly abandoned at the end of the Greco-Turkish war in 1922.  Christians were obliged to leave the country and move to Greece, whilst Muslims were permitted to stay in Turkey, so that each country could claim its one major religion.   Levissi then became Kayaköy (Rock Village).  Whilst a few Muslims remained in Kayaköy, those arriving from Greece did not join them, due to the village’s remote hillside location.

As such, Kayaköy’s population diminished, and the village was completed abandoned by 1923.  A major earthquake in 1957 caused significant damage to many of Kayaköy’s buildings, and in the 66 years since then, the village has just been left to weather and decay.  The site is now under the protection of the Turkish government and an admission fee applies.

The Lycian Way trail actually takes you through the abandoned village of Kayaköy, so make sure you’ve got enough cash on you to cover the 50 TL (correct, Match 2023) entrance fee.  That said, you’ll only see a small section of the village if you stick to the trail, which is why we ended up walking an additional two kilometres on our first day of hiking the Lycian Way!

At one point, we realised we were on the ‘alternative’ trail (indicated by red and yellow markers as opposed to red and white), heading down to the beach at Ölüdeniz.  We’d previously decided against following this route, because it adds a fair bit of distance on to a day that is already nine miles long, and we wanted to ease ourselves gently into the trail.  We also didn’t fancy staying in much-more-touristy Ölüdeniz overnight, or the climb back up from the beach the next morning.  So, we aborted and rejoined the correct path!

When we arrived into Ovaçik, we’d planned to stop for a drink and a bite to eat before checking into our hotel.  But all the cafes and restaurants we passed appeared to be closed (temporarily or permanently, we don’t know!).  We asked the gentleman who showed us to our room if he knew of anywhere open, but his English wasn’t quite up to providing us with an answer or directions.

What he did do, though, is phone a friend of his, who drove us to nearby Abrahkebabrah Restauran t for dinner.  Although the place seemed to be full of English expats, the food was traditional Turkish fare, and was actually really good.

Day Two | Ovaçik to Kabak – 17.6 kilometres (11 miles)

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 20.62km | Elevation gain : 883m | Time : 5h 11m

Although today’s hike started off relatively flat, it wasn’t long before we were feeling very grateful that our muscles had been sufficiently warmed up on the previous day’s leg between Fethiye and Ovaçik.  After around two kilometres from the trailhead at Ovaçik, we began our ascent of Babadağ (‘Father Mountain’). It’s not a technical ascent, but it is a relentless climb.  In fact, we didn’t stop climbing for around four kilometres!

The rewards, of course, were the stunning coastal views — starting with this one of the Ölüdeniz lagoon.

You’ll also be able to spot paragliders above you as they descend from launching points on Babadağ mountain down to the beach at Ölüdeniz.

The trail finally levels out as you approach the hamlet of Kozağaç.  Having not eaten breakfast that morning (due to the hotel not serving it and none of the nearby cafes being open), we were desperately in need of some sustenance by the time we arrived here, and rejoiced when we saw the first sign for a cafe 600 metres ahead.

The cafe we stopped at wasn’t actually Halil’s; that was a bit further along.  But, we were more than happy with Çeşme Başı Café .  Their sunny, covered terrace affords some spectacular views of Babadağ mountain, the staff here are lovely (despite only speaking very limited English), and the food is freshly-made and delicious.

The laminated menus are only in Turkish, so you may need to make use of Google Translate if you have sufficient data.  But, if not, I can 100% recommend ordering an Otlu Peynirli Gözleme (herbed cheese pancake).  You can even watch yours being cooked, and the staff don’t mind you videoing the whole process either (although, always ask before you start filming).

Sufficiently fed and watered, we dragged ourselves back on to the trail, very aware that we still had the majority of today’s distance still to cover.  But, the good news was that we’d got the majority of the day’s climbing out the way already, leaving a rolling plateau through to Kirme and then a descent of about 12.5% down the south side of the mountain towards Faralya.  There’d be a little more uphill between Faralya and Kabak, but nothing compared to this morning’s ascent.

In Kirme, there are a couple more cafes and a small shop.  But, we continued on to the village of Faralya, where you’ll find Butterfly Valley — one of the most photographed spots along the Lycian Way .  And, on a clear day, when the weather is good, it’s very easy to see why.

Whilst it is possible to descend down to Butterfly Valley from Faralya, the descent is very steep, and is considered dangerous if you are not an experienced climber, because it involves a fair bit of scrambling and the use of ropes.  We decided not to chance it, and have since read about a hiker being found dead in Butterfly Valley in October 2022 .

Another option, if you’d like to get a bit closer to Butterfly Valley is to follow the alternative Lycian Way path that takes you to Kabak Beach .  However, this is an additional 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) and a lot more ascent and descent compared to the main trail.  We enjoyed the main trail, but we may have enjoyed this route better; who knows!  If you’ve walked the alternative path, let me know what you thought!

As we continued on in the direction of Kabak, the wonderful views stayed with us.   The terrain on this part of the trail generally consists of a mix of rural roads, forest trails and meadows, and is mostly well-marked.   It’s not uncommon to spot beehives just off the path.  Baklava (layers of honey-soaked flaky filo pastry filled with crushed nuts) is a popular dessert here.

One of the less common (if not downright bizarre) sights we passed was this antiques shop, pictured below.  It was right on the trail and nowhere near any towns or villages!

When we arrived into Kabak and checked into our room for the night at Shiva Camp, we were disappointed to learn that the advertised bar and restaurant there weren’t open, so we showered and then went in search of somewhere that would serve us a nice cold beer (this quickly became a tradition at the end of each day of hiking the Lycian Way).

We made a beeline for the first place we came across, which happened to be Olive Garden .  And, let me tell you, if I ever return to this part of Turkey, I’m staying here!

This boutique hotel and restaurant offers standard or luxury wooden bungalows (complete with private patio or balcony), nestled in lush and colourful gardens.  There’s a stunning infinity pool and a decked area with seating overlooking Kabak Bay.  And that is precisely where we took up residence for the next few hours.

One beer turned into two and then we decided we may as well stay for dinner as well.

We both ordered Imam Bayildi (roasted eggplant stuffed with onions, tomatoes and peppers and topped with cheese) and we both agreed that it was easily THE best meal we ate in Turkey!

I can 100% recommend that you end your second day of hiking the Lycian Way here at Kabak’s Olive Garden!

Day Three | Kabak to Bel – 19.9 kilometres (12.4 miles)

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 21.96km | Elevation gain : 1243m | Time : 6h 18m

Considering that today was already set to be our longest day on the trail so far (and the hilliest!), we decided against following the main path down to Kabak beach (as this involves a steep descent and subsequent ascent), and instead took the alternative route to Alinca, along the ridge.  If you have time, the climb back up from Kabak beach to Alinca is reportedly lovely; some say nicer than the ridge path.

The alternative route sees you climbing as soon as you leave Kabak, so we found ourselves reaching for the breakfast kindly packed for us by our host at Shiva Camp much sooner than we’d anticipated.  We’d have struggled with the ascent with no food in our bellies.

The majority of the initial section of the Kabak to Alinca path is made up of rolling small-but-steep hills following a ridge overlooking the coast.  The views are truly breathtaking but you do have watch your footing because the paths are narrow and rocky and the drop is sheer!

As we joined the road for our approach into Alinca, we passed a café/beverage stand, where an elderly lady was handing out samples of her home-made lokum (Turkish Delight).  We gratefully took a piece each, but didn’t stop for a drink because we didn’t want to take a break until we reached Alinca.

We hadn’t realised that we were pretty much in Alinca at that point.  It’s one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of places.   We would’ve returned to that sweet old lady’s cafe, had it not meant walking back uphill, so, instead we ended up at a fairly non-descript cafe as we exited the village.

The scenery continued to wow us as we followed the main trail towards Gey (there is an alternative that goes to Dodurga, via the Sydima ruins).  The path clings to the edge of the cliff, passing the rather aptly named ‘stone over the abyss,’ before dropping down (quite steeply at first) into the valley and subsequently proceeding through acres of lush farmland.

There’s a lovely little cafe right on the trail as you walk through the village of Gey, so that’s where we stopped for a rather late lunch, before setting off in the direction of Bel.

Keep your eyes peeled for these ancient Ottoman water cisterns as you leave the village.

The next section of the Lycian Way continues along much the same vein as the last — a downhill section, followed by a few undulating sections in the middle and finishing with a steady climb up into the village of Bel.

You’ll walk through some beautiful terraced farmland, with the mountains providing a picturesque backdrop.

The only problem with traipsing across farmland is that it’s very easy to get lost.  There are often no defined pathways and the red and white blazes are either not at frequent enough intervals, not in the most useful of positions, or just very difficult to spot.

We were using both TrailSmart and Footpath apps to help us navigate the trail, along with the trail markers themselves, and we still found it difficult to figure out exactly where the path was supposed to be at several points during today’s hike.

My advice would be to regularly check your GPS tracks (more regularly then you usually would), because it’s so easy to go off-path without realising it in areas like this.

On the ascent towards Bel, you’ll pass yet more stunning viewpoints before the trail disappears into some densely forested areas for the final part of the climb.

I cannot tell you how pleased we were when we eventually popped out on to the road, signalling our approach into Bel.  Fatma’s Pension was A LOT further away than that wooden sign propped up against a tree indicated it should be!

In the evening, we shared a huge Turkish feast that Fatma had prepared and cooked for us, using ingredients grown on her land and milk from the goats her husband tends to.  It was cold up in Bel, but the fire in the living/dining area at Fatma’s kept the room lovely and warm, and the seemingly endless supply of sweet black tea was just what the doctor ordered.

Day Four | Bel to Patara West (Pydnai Ruins) – 13.34 kilometres (8.3 miles)

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 14.89km | Elevation gain : 369m | Time : 3h 52m

Following an amazing breakfast spread, courtesy of Fatma, we said our goodbyes this morning and continued on our way.  This was the first day on the Lycian Way that we wouldn’t be walking all the way to our final destination that evening.  The reason? Well, there are a couple actually:

• The region between Letoon and Kalkan is “largely a delta with an  endless sea of white greenhouses” (Trekopedia), with lots of road walking.  Aside from the three notable ancient cities (Letoon, Xanthos, and Patara), we’d read that there wasn’t much of interest in this section.  When we were walking the Hadrian’s Wall Path , we decided that we were there primarily to walk the trail, and if we had time to spend time at the Roman ruins, then that was a bonus.  We applied the same strategy to hiking the Lycian Way — we decided to place higher importance over the trail sections as a whole, rather than individual sights along the trail (which we wouldn’t have much spare time to explore anyway).
• Accommodation in this section is few and far between.  Upon leaving Bel, we’d have had to walk 25.3 miles (to Üzümlü) before we found anything that wasn’t a campsite along the trail.  There were a few places off-trail but this would’ve added extra distance to our days.  It just wasn’t feasible.

So, we set off from Bel towards Patara West/Karadere, where we’d read that there was a dolmus stop and a campsite with attached café (Patara Green Park).  We figured that the staff at the campsite would probably have information about when the buses were running, if there was no information at the bus stop itself.

Things didn’t work out quite as planned; keep reading!

The section between Bel and the tiny hamlet of Belceğiz follows rural roads the entire way, so we were able to make good time over this part.  However, this made us a little complacent and, therefore, ridiculously unprepared for the monster descent that followed.  It’s not simply the gradient you have to deal with (averaging around 22% but with long stretches exceeding 30%), but the terrain underfoot — which is incredibly rocky and uneven, and tough on the knees!  Jayne can attest to this, as it’s this very descent that buggered up her knee. She struggled to put much pressure on it from this point forward.

There is one particular stretch with a series of flat-top rocks on a pretty steep incline, where you’ve just got to hope that the boots you’re wearing have good grip.  Fortunately, ours did!

On the few occasions that I did take my eyes off the path at my feet, I did notice the fantastic views out to sea.  However, the reason I don’t have many photos of this section is because I was too frightened of losing my balance if I actually stopped to reach for my camera.

When we reached the village of Gavurağılı, we were in desperate need of a break.  Fortunately, we spotted the Lykia Inn just off the trail.  We were served by a gentleman who introduced himself as Hamish McTurk — a Turk with Scottish roots or a  Scot with Turkish roots, we weren’t sure.  He definitely had some Scottish colouring about him, but not the remotest indication of a Scottish accent.  He informed us that he works as a tour guide in the local area and asked us where we were walking to today.  We told him our plans and he offered us his card, in case we needed a taxi service at any point.

Little did we know how soon we’d actually need to take him up on his offer.

Upon leaving the café, we had one more hill to climb and descend before the path levels out upon arrival at the Pydnai ruins.  The Lycian Way runs straight through this largely unmaintained and unrestored site, including through a portal in the wall of one of the overgrown structures.  If you’re wearing a large pack, you’ll definitely need to remove it in order to squeeze through the gap!

I’d have liked to have had a better look around this ruined fortress, but when I veered slightly off path a little to explore one of the buildings, I realised I’d lost Jayne.  Her knee was causing her so much pain that she’d walked on ahead, determined to get to Karadere as quickly as possible so that she could stop and rest.

The path is not well-marked between the Pydnai ruins and Karadere and passes through a lot of overgrown vegetation, so, once I’d caught up with Jayne, we weren’t even sure we’d make to the beach at Karadere, let alone find onward transport.

We rejoiced when we spotted Patara Green Park campsite ahead, but our hearts quickly sank when we realised it was closed.  At that point, we just assumed that it probably opens later in the season (we rocked up here on the 20th of March), but we later learned that it’s actually been closed since lockdown.

So, we walked down towards the apparent location of the bus stop, marked on my Footpath app as ‘dolmus to Kinik/Fethiye,’ with a nice little picture of a bus beside it.  However, we could find no bus shelter, no signage no timetables, and not a soul around to ask.  Our options were to wait around and hope that a bus turned up (we had no way of finding out how long we’d have to wait or whether a bus would arrive at all) or to contact our friend, Hamish McTurk.

In hindsight, we’re aware that Hamish did very well out of us that afternoon (there wasn’t much point trying to haggle the fare down because he was our only option) but, on the plus side, he did make several stops (at Xanthos, Letoon, and one of the countless greenhouses we passed) on the way to Kalkan.

Day Five | Çukurbağ to Kaş – 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) 

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 6.80km | Elevation gain : 70m | Time : 1h 38m

As you can probably tell by the short distances above, this was not our planned itinerary for day 4; we had to shave a significant distance off the beginning of today’s hike due to having an injured hiker.

The original plan was to walk from Kalkan to Saribelan, via the mountain villages of Bezirgan (14.6 kilometres/9.1 miles), and then get a taxi or dolmus to the junction south-west of Pinabarsi (for the Phellos ruins) and to continue on foot down to Kaş (a further 7.95 kilometres/4.94 miles).  But the Kalkan to Saribelan leg is a ‘challenging’ section that is apparently not well waymarked.  It’s also a pretty long section for someone with a knee injury to attempt, with no option to shorten it mid-way.

So, reluctantly, we agreed to catch the bus all the way to Kaş (the bus stop is literally opposite Migros Jet , marked on the map below), check into our accommodation for the next two nights (as we’d factored in a rest day in Kaş), and then catch a dolmus up to Çukurbağ, and walk back to Kaş.  This short section reportedly offered stunning views looking down over Kaş, and although we knew it was going to be steep, we’d be able to take our time due to the significantly reduced distance involved.

The staff at Mare Nostrum helped us with the pronunciation of Çukurbağ, so that we were able to ask the staff at the bus station, if no timetable was available.  Thankfully, there were both timetables and helpful bus drivers available.

All the reports we’d read online suggested that the descent from Çukurbağ to Kaş was going to be akin to the steepness of the trail from Bel to Gavurağılı, so we imagined getting so far and then having to turn back due to Jayne’s bad knee.  We snapped some views of Kaş at the start of the trail, and it’s a good job we did because we didn’t need to turn back.  In fact, we couldn’t really see what all the online fuss was all about.

The trail from Çukurbağ to Kaş is a switchback all the way, which significantly flattens out the descent.  Perhaps it’s a little trickier with a heavy pack, but we’d definitely experienced much worse while hiking the Lycian Way!

Whilst we’d encountered a fair few goats along the trail so far (along with a few tortoises too), we never expected to meet a furry feline companion as far from civilisation as the one we spotted at the top of the descent down to Kaş.  What’s more, it followed us half the way down the mountain like a dog would do.  Very bizarre but, for a cat lover like me, a very welcome encounter.

Day Six | Kaş to Limanağzı loop – 9.62 kilometres (5.98 miles) 

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 12.90km | Elevation gain : 366m | Time : 3h 10m

Today was meant to be our ‘rest day’ in Kaş.  We’d hoped to be able to find a boat to take us out to the Sunken City of Kekova.  However, we hadn’t accounted for the fact that it was still low season and, therefore, no boat trips were running.  Feeling at a bit of a loss about what else to do, we went for a hike!

We stuck to a flattish section, which is actually the first part of the trail when leaving Kaş and hiking the Lycian Way from west to east.  However, rather than continuing on to Boğazcık (which is a very remote section), we returned to Kaş via an alternative path (the one hikers are advised to use in bad weather).

The Kaş to Limanağzı section primarily consists of walking along rural roads or rugged off-road trails, with one small cliffside stretch requiring the use of ropes attached to the rocks (more on that shortly!).

You’ll walk right beside the coast for the first part of the trail before climbing slightly inland when you reach Büyük Çakil beach.  It was at this point, as we were wandering past a few houses, that we met our little canine companion.  We gave him a bit of fuss before continuing on our way.  But, he started to follow us.

Thinking that he belonged to a resident of  one of the nearby houses, we assumed that he’d return home once we’d left all signs of civilisation behind and begun to follow the trail off road.

He didn’t.

He continued to follow us right up to the point when the trail required us to scramble down over some large rocks.  Our legs were only just about long enough to reach each foothold; his, sadly, wouldn’t have been.

As we approached Limanağzı, we reached the rope section we’d read about. 

It was a bit tricking manoeuvring my body around protruding rocks and attempting to keep my feet on the ledge whilst simultaneously holding on to the rope, but I made it across without too much trouble, expecting Jayne to be following behind me.

I didn’t quite know what to do (I’m normally the one in Jayne’s position when I’m travelling with Stu) — if we didn’t make it past this section, we’d have to turn around and return the same way.  Not a great problem, but a bit annoying when we were so close to the turn off from where we could complete the loop.

So, I made my way back across the ledge and grabbed Jayne’s backpack from her, hoping that would make the crossing a little easier. Unfortunately it didn’t.  But, after a few deep breaths and slow steady steps shuffles, Jayne made it across, and we were able to continue along our way.

If you’re doing this section with a heavy pack, be very careful.

We stopped to appreciate the beautiful views of Limanağzı bay, before heading inland and making our way back to Kaş.

Fortunately , the sun had come out when we arrived back in town, so we spent the afternoon exploring Kaş.  I actually really enjoyed the small section of its historic centre that’s still in existence.  Keep an eye out for the traditional wooden balconies, as well as a small selection of ancient Lycian tombs that are scattered around.

Day Seven | Boğazcık to Aperlai via Apollonia Ruins – 7.4 kilometres (4.6 miles)

— plus a boat trip to demre, via üçağız and simena  .

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 7.92km | Elevation gain : 168m | Time : 2h 21m

We had to change up our plans again for day seven, and try to keep the walking distance low in order to not put too much strain on Jayne’s knee.

Our original itinerary saw us catching a dolmus or taxi to Üçağız and then walking the 25.3 kilometres (15.7 miles) to Demre, via the Myra ruins.  However, this would’ve been our longest day on the trail.  And, although we thought this would be manageable following our ‘rest day’ in Kaş, it certainly wasn’t anymore, given Jayne’s knee injury.

We still desperately wanted to visit Üçağız and Simena, though, and we had accommodation booked in Demre that night, so we had to get a little creative with our new itinerary.

Whilst researching stops along the route between Kaş and Demre, Jayne stumbled across the Purple House in Aperlai , and discovered that they can arrange boat trips from the nearby boat house.  Seeing as though we didn’t get our planned boat trip from Kaş, we figured we could kill two birds with one stone and visit Üçağız and Simena by boat.  

So, we’d just need to get a taxi as far as Boğazcık and then we could pick up the Lycian Way down to Aperlai.  We could even take a small diversion to the Apollonia ruins.

I must admit that this wasn’t the most interesting section of the Lycian Way.  Even though you’re walking towards the coast, you don’t actually get any coastal views until right at the end of the trail.

However, I actually quite enjoyed the Appollonia ruins, once we’d found all the sarcophagi, and I loved the scenic descent into Aperlai amidst the Aperlai ruins.

The first stop on our little boat trip was the pretty little fishing village of Üçağız. 

Üçağız (meaning ‘three mouths’ due to the three openings the village has to the Mediterranean sea) is part of the Kekova Region and has therefore been a Specially Protected Area since 1990.  This limits the development and building work permitted to take place there, which means that the village retains much of its authentic, rural charm.  

We had a brief little wander through the village, including a peek inside a rug shop, where I think the vendors were grateful for having someone to talk to other than each other!  However, it didn’t stop them attempting the sales pitch when we started touching a few of the rugs we particularly liked, and informing us that they could ship to the UK if we didn’t have room in our backpacks (which, considering that we were travelling with just 20 and 30-litre packs respectively, clearly we didn’t!)

We continued on a short distance to Simena, where our captain made a second stop so that we could climb up to the village’s crowning glory — its castle.

Due to the steepness of the hill upon which the castle is located, the climb will take you on a bit of a meander through the village — along narrow lanes, up ancient stone staircases, and past an endearing collection of mismatched houses that seem to cling to the edge of the hillside.

There’s a small entrance fee to the castle, but the views more than make up for this.

After leaving Simena, it occurred to us that we’d not stopped at the Sunken City of Kekova.

As Kekova can only be accessed by boat, this was one of the main reasons we wanted to take a boat trip in the first place. We attempted to query this with our captain, but the language barrier quickly put a stop to that; he thought we wanted to go for a swim and subsequently stopped at the entrance to a cave!

We later discovered that we would have, in fact, passed right over the top of Kekova on our way into Simena’s tiny little harbour.  Our captain had failed to point it out, and we’d probably been way too busy snapping photographs of Simena’s castle, as we caught our first glimpse of it perched on the top of a steep hill overlooking Kekova Island.

Our boat trip finished in Demre, where a taxi driver was waiting for us to take us up to the Myra ruins (also organised for us by the Purple House in Aperlai).

If you’re hiking the Lycian Way between Kapakli and Demre (regardless of whether you follow the main trail or the alternative route), you’ll need to take a small diversion off the path to reach these ruins.  It’s definitely a worthwhile diversion, though, and allow yourself approximately an hour there.

Day Eight | Karaöz to Gelidonya Lighthouse and back – 16.42 kilometres (10.2 miles)

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 16.90km | Elevation gain : 444m | Time : 3h 42m

The section between Demre and Finke is a three-day mountainous section with no accommodation options available (even wild camping is tricky due to the lack of water sources), so we had no option but to skip that segment.  And the following stretch, between Finke and Karaöz is, according to Trekopedia:

“arguably the most boring , uninteresting part of the Lycian Way.”

For these reasons, our intention was to catch a bus/dolmus to Karaöz, and to walk the path from there to Adrasan (20.4km/12.7 miles).  However, Jayne wasn’t sure her knee would cope with the distance or, more importantly, the descent from the lighthouse to Adrasan, which is over rocky, unstable terrain that requires extreme diligence at watching your footing.  Considering that Jayne couldn’t really put much weight on her bad knee, attempting the second part of this section was simply too risky.

So, our only option was to do an out and back to Gelidonya Lighthouse from Karaöz.  Logistically, this was not the simplest of tasks!

According to the hand-written bus timetable at Demre’s otogari (bus station), buses from here either go west to Kaş or east to Antalya, along the D400.  When we got on the bus, we were told we needed to change buses at Kumluca.  That part was easy enough, as the bus driver told us exactly where to get off and a connecting bus showed up within minutes.  However, the connecting bus only went as far as Mavikent.  This would have been fine, had a bus to Karaöz arrived shortly after we were dropped off.  But, the next bus leaving for Karaöz was over two hours after we arrived!! 

If we’d waited for the bus, we would not have had time to complete our planned walk and get to Adrasan afterwards (where we had accommodation booked that evening).  So, more than a little panicked, we headed into the mini market opposite the bus stop and asked the staff if they could arrange a taxi for us.  Fortunately, they understood enough English to help us.  But, contrary to what we’d read online prior to our trip, taxis in Turkey are not cheap.  They’re not expensive either, but relying on taxis was eating into the small stash of cash we had on us until we arrived somewhere that had an ATM available.

As luck would have it, there was a cafe on the beach at Karaöz, so we were able to grab an extremely late breakfast of a couple of bananas and some coffee.  The staff there were kind enough to let Jayne stash her pack there, so that she could hike with just her phone and bottle of water.  What’s more, they arranged for a friend of theirs to drive us to Adrasan when we got back, for the fraction of the price of a taxi.

But, on to the hike itself…

Whilst I’d have much preferred to not be doing an out and back hike (those sorts of walks are never my favourites), I actually really enjoyed this section of the trail.  The views out to sea are stunning and, for the most part, the path follows wide, sweeping rural roads, with just the final climb up to the lighthouse being along narrow, rocky, forest tracks.

We also picked up a dog friend part the way along the trail and spotted a few tortoises, too.

If you’re walking the whole of this section all the way to Adrasan (which we would have done had Jayne not been injured), make sure you’ve got plenty of water and snacks with you; between Karaöz and Gelidonya Lighthouse, we only passed one roadside cafe, and the second section is reportedly much more remote.

When we arrived in Adrasan, we were really looking forward to a sit down and a substantial meal.  Due to not being able to find anywhere open serving food in Demre before we caught the bus at 9 a.m., and then getting rather concerned about running out of cash to facilitate our onward journey, we’d survived on a couple of bananas and an energy bar each all day.

However, as you’ll already be aware if you read the accommodation section of this post, things didn’t really work out as planned!  We were very grateful to have found Ademin Yeri Black House open and serving food.  So, we were able to relax and refuel whilst we attempted to get hold of the owners of the guest house at which we had a booking.  Ademin Yeri has a pretty riverside location, and we loved listening to the frog and duck chorus as we ate.

Day Nine | Adrasan to Çıralı – 15.5 kilometres (9.6 miles)

Recorded distance walked on Strava : 12.45km | Elevation gain : 608m | Time : 3h 53m (however, my watch stopped recording at the Olympos ruins so this is not 100% accurate)

We started the day with an amazing breakfast spread, courtesy of our host at Duran Pansiyon.

Fortunately, today did not involve the logistics of the Lycian Way’s wonderful public transportation, as we were walking all the way from our guest house in Adrasan to our guest house in Çıralı. 

There are two options for hiking the Lycian Way between Adrasan and Çıralı — the main route, which consists of climbing (fairly steeply) up, over, and down a single mountain, or the alternative route, via rural roads through the valley.  

We were all set up to walk the alternative route (for obvious knee injury reasons).  We’d even talked ourselves into thinking that it might be quite nice to walk through some traditional hamlets and villages; we’d be able to interact with residents and experience a real sense of local life that would be absent on the mountain trails.

However, at eleventh hour, as we approached the fork where the trail splits, Jayne said “fuck it!” and took the mountain route.  I guess she figured that this was our final day of walking, so it didn’t matter as much if she broke herself today — she could always rest when she got home.

I would like to point out that this is not the course of action I’d personally recommend if you get injured.   It is simply the one Jayne chose.  And, fortunately, it turned out to be one that didn’t come with any disastrous consequences.

The initial part of the walk takes you through Adrasan village (which is separate from the little ‘hub’ of guest houses that has popped up along the beach) and along the river.  There are a few river crossings along this section of the Lycian Way so, if you haven’t got good balance and you don’t want to get your feet wet, make sure you remove your boots and socks!

Once you’ve made your first river crossing, make sure you don’t miss the right-hand turn just after.  Unfortunately, we did, but a helpful local called after us and pointed us in the right direction.

You’ll pass a few greenhouses on your left-hand side and walk through a tunnel in the rock before heading into the forest and beginning your mountain climb.

The mountain climb that seems to go on forever .

Whilst we caught glimpses of some beautiful mountain views through the trees as we made our ascent, we didn’t get a full unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside until we’d completed our climb.  It was at that point we realised just how high up we were.

We made a brief lunch stop to appreciate the view and photograph a few of the hundreds of wild flowers growing up there before starting our equally gruelling descent.

Again, it wasn’t the steepness of the slope, but the relentless nature of the descent, and the fact that both the terrain and environment remain unchanged for miles on end.  Rocky forest trails interspersed with the odd fallen down tree to clamber over are the order of the day here, and this doesn’t really change until you arrive at the ruins of Olympos.

However, before we could explore the Olympos ruins, we had to actually figure out how to get to them.  The track has been re-routed immediately south of the ruins (although it’s not obvious as to why and the original route looks to have been a much more direct one), but the alternative route is not at all obvious and we probably wasted a good half an hour here attempting to find the right path — which, incidentally, involves scrambling through some bushes and then sliding down a very steep incline of loose rocks.  Helpfully, the Footpath app has now been updated to show an information symbol just ahead of this junction, stating:

“Don’t go down here: FENCE.”

So, if you keep a close eye on this, you can figure out where exactly you’re meant to take a left turn.  Bear in mind though that it doesn’t look like a path until you reach the bottom of the incline.

We then had to overcome the issue of the gates to Olympos being shut when we arrived because it was after 5 p.m. We had a brief panic that, although the Lycian Way runs through the ruins, the trail may not be a permissive path outside of the site’s opening hours.

Fortunately though, we needn’t have worried — we were able to find an unlocked gate, and subsequently explored the ruins for the next hour without paying the 250TL entrance fee and without seeing many other tourists either!  If you’re not bothered about having a thorough look around the site, then I’d totally recommend visiting at this time of day.

Named after the nearby Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı), this ancient site was once an important Lycian city before it fell victim to piracy and was subsequently conquered by the Romans, Venetians, Genovese, and Ottomans.

The main structures here include an amphitheatre, temple gate, necropolis, sarcophagus, bathhouse, church, and basilica, and you’ll find them scattered across both sides of the river Göksu.  Although, it’s worth noting that some are in such a bad state of disrepair that it’s difficult to envisage them in their former glory.

Where the river and ruins meet the sea, the Lycian Way continues across a pebble beach to reach the village of Çıralı.  We were keen to get to our guest house in order to grab a shower and put our feet up.  But, we stumbled upon The Beaver Coffee Shop along the way and couldn’t resist stopping for a decent brew — the first proper coffee we’d had since we left England.

Day Ten | An unhurried wander around the Olympos ruins followed by a bus to Antalya

The original plan, before Jayne got injured,  was to walk the 12.6-kilometre (7.8 mile) section between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere.  This stretch is reportedly a beautiful mountain section that passes near to the peak of Tahtalı Dağı, which is the highpoint of the entire Lycian Way.  We’d also read that there is a cable car station at the peak, from where you can ride a cable car down to the coast.  It’s actually one of the longest cable car journeys in the world.

However, when we were doing our research, there were elements of the logistics that we could not confirm at the time (such as how we’d get to Beycik, whether the cable car would be running in March, and the availability of transportation from Kemer to Antalya), so we were open to changing these plans if we could not get the logistics to work when we were on the ground.  There was also the potential for snow up on the mountain due to the time of year that we were hiking the Lycian Way, which could have been dangerous considering neither of us had hiking poles.

Once Jayne had chosen to walk the mountain route between Adrasan and Çıralı the day before, she’d made it clear that was to be her last day of walking, and I was absolutely fine with that, especially considering that our options for short and flattish sections beyond Çıralı were somewhat limited.

So, we then had to decide whether we wanted to spend our last day in Turkey exploring Antalya, re-visiting the Olympos ruins,  or something else entirely.

Bearing in mind that ‘something else entirely’ may have involved a repeat of the logistical nightmare we’d experienced when attempting to get from Demre to Karaöz, and considering our aversion to crowds, we opted to re-visit the ruins of Olympos.  We’d had a rather rushed visit the evening before on very tired legs, so we felt as though there was more to be explored.  We also quite liked Çıralı, so the idea of lingering a little longer in this laid-back coastal village appealed to us.

If I were to do this trip again, I think I would’ve spent my last day of hiking the Lycian Way walking the alternative path between Çıralı and Tekirova .  This route wasn’t really on my radar before I left England, but I’ve since found some detailed information about it on the Trekopedia website, and it sounds like a lovely (albeit fairly long) section that hugs the coast the entire way and affords some beautiful coastal views.

Because it begins in Çıralı, it also means that you wouldn’t have to worry about the logistics of getting to the trailhead.  And Tekirova is a large enough resort to make finding food and drink at the end of your hike a relatively easy task.  There is also a regular bus service between Tekirova ( location of bus stop on Google Maps here ) and Antalya, with a journey time of one and a half hours.

We spent a good two to three hours at the Olympos ruins this time around, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that we were only charged an entrance fee of 90 TL rather than the advertised 250 TL at the main gates the day beforehand.

We gave ourselves just enough time to grab our backpacks from Alican Pension before heading up to the dolmus stop in order to make the advertised 13:00 hours departure.  We’d then catch a connecting bus to Antalya from the main highway, the D400.

However, what the sign at Çıralı’s dolmus stop doesn’t tell you is that the advertised dolmus only run during the summer months.  Fortunately, the locals have inside knowledge that isn’t published on said sign, and they’d seen us waiting and alerted us to this fact.

The problem we then had is that we were rapidly running out of cash again.  We had enough to cover our bus fares, but little else.  What this meant was that we could not afford the fare for a taxi up to the main highway and we really didn’t fancy walking the 6.3 miles all uphill .  Our only remaining option was to hitch a ride.

Now, I’d not hitch-hiked since I was on one of the little Japanese islands surrounding Okinawa, long before I started this blog.  We had a really positive experience then, but hitch-hiking is still something that makes me feel scared, awkward and embarrassed.  On top of that, we’d not really seen a lot of passing traffic as we stood on the road outside Çıralı’s mini-market.

We found a straight section of the road, with space for a car to pull into the side of the road safely, and stuck our thumbs out every time we saw a vehicle heading out of town.  Nobody even so much as slowed down for us.  After what felt like forever (but was probably only 15 minutes), we were ready to give up hope.  But then, a campervan pulled over.  I’d rehearsed the Turkish for ‘main highway,’ so that’s what I said, with a hint of desperation in my voice, as a lady wound down the window.

She looked confused and clearly didn’t understand what I’d just asked her.  So, I tried again in English.  It was then that it materialised that the couple sat in the campervan were, in fact, German.  They were in the middle of a year-long European road trip.  The woman jumped in the back in order to give up the bench seat in the front next to her boyfriend/husband for Jayne and I to sit in.

It was so lovely to be able to have a conversation in our native language with this couple as they drove us up the windy road to Çıralı’s main highway, and to hear all about their adventures thus far. It made me long for long-term travel once again.  The three months I spent in Peru and two months I spent in Bolivia back in 2014 seem very far away now!

And, aside from some confusion about which bus we caught from Antalya’s main bus station to the city’s downtown area and where to catch it from, our onward journey passed without incident.

We had a brief wander through Antalya’s bazaar and grabbed a bite to eat from an overpriced restaurant down by the harbour, where we celebrated making it to the end of our 10-day adventure hiking the Lycian Way.

Hiking the Lycian Way | Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, firstly I’d just like to congratulate you! Although I never intended it to be, this is easily the longest post I’ve ever written (11307 words, as I type this now!).

I contemplated breaking this guide to hiking the Lycian Way down into several different posts, but in the end I decided I wanted the continuity of having all the information to hand in one place.  I hope that this (rather long!) post has provided you with all the necessary details, advice and recommendations you need to help you plan a similar trip.  But, please drop me a note in the comments if there’s anything else you’d like to know.

I have a few final thoughts I’d like to share:

• Although I enjoyed doing so myself and would 100% recommend hiking the Lycian Way early in the season (March/April), do be prepared for a slightly more intrepid adventure compared to walking the trail closer to the summer months.  Many of the dolmuses won’t be running and some of the cafés and restaurants along the trail may not yet have re-opened their doors.  BUT, accommodation prices will be lower, there will be fewer people hiking the Lycian Way, and the weather will be a more manageable temperature for walking.
• Just like I experienced when I travelled to Jordan last September, cash is King here in Turkey.  A lot of the small, family-run pensions won’t have the facility to take card payments, and many of the cafés and shops along the trail won’t either.  And then, of course, there are bus and taxi fares, which also need to be paid in cash.  In fact, there were very few places along the Lycian Way that we could actually use our cards for payment, and very few ATMs too.  Even though we travel with debit cards which don’t charge foreign transaction fees, every single one of the ATMs we withdrew money from charged us a fee. And this fee was the same regardless of whether we wanted £20 or £200.  So, my advice would be to carry as much cash as you feel safe travelling with.  And, make sure you don’t stash it all in the same place.
• If your mobile phone contract doesn’t offer you a decent roaming package in Turkey (I’m on Vodafone and could use my texts/calls/data from my UK tariff up to 25GB – which is more than enough for 10 days), get yourself an e-sim, because actual sim cards in Turkey are incredibly expensive compared to other countries I’ve bought one in.

If reading about my experience of hiking the Lycian Way has piqued your interest to explore more of Turkey, check out the posts below that I’ve written about Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pamukkale.

A 10-day Turkey Itinerary: Istanbul, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

Exploring the strange and surreal valleys of cappadocia, things to do in istanbul: a few items to add to your istanbul itinerary, pamukkale: bizarre landscapes and ancient ruins, cappadocia: a balloon flight over a surreal, volcanic landscape, a spontaneous paragliding experience in pamukkale, turkey, if you enjoyed this post about hiking the lycian way, why not pin it to one of your pinterest boards for reference.

Kiara Gallop

Hi I'm Kiara, the travel blogger and photographer behind Gallop Around The Globe. I can usually be found hiking up mountains, getting lost in the cobblestone streets of my favourite cities, making friends with a furry feline or two, photographing cacti, or grazing on olives and cheese.

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Wow! Thanks for this super detailed article. So helpful. And so nice to see a different side of Turkey. Would love to do that hike some day.

What an awesome hike! The Lycian Way looks really diverse with loads to see on the way.

Love the hike. Kiara keep sharing amazing piece of content

I don’t usually leave comments on blogs but after doing a lot of research (incl. skimming many other blogs that came up in my google search), I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed post. It was a treasure trove of information and has made me excited to try out (portions of) this hike in the fall!

Thank you so much for your kind comments Shannon 😊 It’s lovely to hear that the hours and hours of work I put into researching and writing blog posts is appreciated and valued. And thank you for taking the time to read it all – I’m well aware that it was a VERY long post! (possibly the longest I’ve ever written!) I hope you enjoy walking the Lycian Way as much as I did 🙂

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Sennen Cove to Lands End Walk: A Short but Scenic Route Along the South West Coast Path

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Things you need to know when hiking the Lycian Way

Categories Travel Tips

Last Updated on March 9, 2023

Hiking the Lycian Way in southwestern Turkey is on the bucket list of many long-distance hikers, and that’s for good reason. The coastal hike involves spectacular views, historical sites from the Greek culture and Roman Empires saying back to 8BC and traditional villages that seem untouched by tourism. Because of these unique features, the Lycian Way is often listed as one of the best hiking trails in the entire world .

Table of Contents

The trail follows the coast, leads through pine forests, and always has a spectacular mountain backdrop. It is mostly made up of old mule trails and hundreds of year old footpaths. The path is one of the oldest trails in Turkey, totaling a length of 509 kilometers (315 miles).

The Lycian Way

You’ll sleep in guest houses, village homes and basic B&Bs along the way. Since you have to camp in some parts of the way, this is definitely a trek for more advanced hikers who like to rough it, and don’t mind very basic sleeping conditions, lack of bathrooms along the way and purifying their water.

Location: Where is the Lycian Way?

The Lycian Way is located on Turkey’s Tekke Peninsula, which is historically known as Lycia, hence the name. It connects the small coastal town of Ölüdeniz (near Fethiye) with Hisarcandir (west of Antalya) and follows the coast – it never moves away more than 15 kilometers from the Mediterranean. Sometimes it climbs high into the mountains, other times it is at sea level, it leads through pine forests and along steep cliffs.

How to get to the Lycian Way

Depending on which side you’re planning to start on, you could fly either into Dalaman, which is the closest airport to Ölüdeniz (the western starting point) or into Antalya (the eastern starting point).

Depending on where you’re coming from you could also fly into Istanbul and take a connecting flight to either city from there, but direct flights to the Tekke Peninsula are available from all major European airports – at very low prices! Flights to Dalaman start at only £ 50 from most European flight hubs.

The Lycian Way by Zak on Flickr.com

Hiking the Lycian Way: The best time to go

Obviously, temperatures get extremely hot in the summer months, but can also get pretty chilly in the winter. The best time to go would be either in the spring (March – May) or in the fall (Sept- Nov). In theory, you can hike the trail year-round but expect to be sweating a lot in July and August and be prepared for cold nights in January and February (you’d have to pack extra clothes / warmer sleeping bags). November and December are the wettest months, expect lots of rain during those months.

Planning your route

If you are planning to walk the entire route, it will take you around 4 weeks. It is possible to walk only parts of the way. Depending on your hiking experience you might choose the eastern part for the tougher hike and the western part if you are not as experienced, since this is the easier section of the way. Some parts of the hike, especially close to Fethiye, are pretty strenuous. If you don’t want to camp, make sure to choose a part of the trail where you can sleep in guesthouses in village homes every night. It is possible to only hike sections of the trek, which is what most people do.

The most beautiful part of the trail is the hike between Fethiye and Patara.

How much does it cost to hike the Lycian Way?

Traveling in Turkey is inexpensive; you’ll be able to find a room for two in most guesthouses for about $20, sometimes even less. A full meal including a drink in a restaurant in the less touristy places will cost you less than $10, and between $10 and $12 in the more popular tourist towns. You can buy a day’s ration of snacks and foods in a supermarket for about $10.

The Lycian Way by Steynard on Flickr.com

What to pack for the Lycian Way

As you’ll be carrying all of your stuff with you at all times while hiking the Lycian Way, it is essential to keep the weight as light as possible. In addition to your clothes and gear you’ll have to estimate another 3kg (6.6 lbs) for your daily food and water ration.

Key items include:

• Hiking boots with ankle support since parts of the way are rocky and steep
• Band aids and other basic medical items, plus water-purifying tablets and reusable water bottles
• Camping gear (because you will have to camp on some parts of the way) This means at least a sleeping bag (ideally lightweight!), plus a tent of you want to be covered (recommended because of occasional rains)
• A guidebook so that you can located the closest water sources, camp sites, etc. Two good guidebooks are The Lycian Way (Likia Yolu) Topographic Map Atlas , and The Lycian Way: Turkey’s First Long Distance Walking Route – the original Lycian Way guidebook by Kate Clow.
• A cell phone with a local SIM card in case of an emergency
• A torch, or even better a headlamp
• Sunscreen and a sun hat (sometimes you’ll walk through areas without any shades for hours)
• A Turkish phrase book will come in handy since people in some of the remoter villages do not speak English
• Mosquito repellent (they come out at dawn!)

Tip: Check out my packing list for the Camino De Santiago , another popular long-distance trek. The essential items for this hike are similar, but remember to add camping gear to your list.

Lycian Way village by Steynard on Flickr.com

Further reading about hiking the Lycian Way

A British woman named Kate Clow was majorly involved in setting up the path in the early 2000s, making less known parts of it accessible for the public and establishing signage and other amenities along the path. She also wrote the most comprehensive book on the topic, including a detailed map of the trail. It is highly recommended to read the book ( The Lycian Way: Turkey’s First Long Distance Walking Route ) before hiking the trail and to also carry the guide with you while walking it.

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Outstanding hiking & cycling treks from around the world

Heralded as one of the top 10 long-distance trails in the world by the UK’s Sunday Times, this 400 km / 250 mi hike along Turkey’s rugged, beautiful Turquoise Coast connects the small city of Fethiye in the west with a village on the outskirts of Antalya in the east. It has jaw-dropping scenery, ancient historical sites, incredibly friendly people, delicious food, and constantly changing terrain.

Typically done over about 27 to 30 days , though with good partial-routes of as little as 5 days, it has lots of elevation changes and will give your legs (and lungs) a good workout with about 23,000 m / 75,000 ft of both ascent and descent.

Known as Likya Yolu in Turkish, this trail can be done in either direction as a through-hike or a series of day hikes.

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Nitty-Gritty

Orientation, trail network, seasonality, suitability, accommodation, getting in / out, public transportation, getting around by car, regions & trail sections, pre-defined routes, communities, highlights & attractions, accommodations, pros & cons, articles / more info.

Crime! Attacks by Yeti! Crazed shepherds feeding unwitting hikers to the goats! Falling off cliffs! Death by thirst! Vicious dogs! Dandruff! Being the first up against the wall when the revolution comes! Suicidal dolmuş drivers!

We have all the gory details in this incisive, in-depth, explosive investigative report.

Hotels. Guest houses. Camping. Supported trips. One of the nice things about the Lycian Way is there is a good mix of accommodation options that enable you to choose the approach that is right for you.

Read on for an exciting, nay breathtaking, discussion of each type of accommodation option on the Lycian Way.

Tap water. Wells. Cisterns. Village fountains. Remote fountains. Streams and springs. Bottled water.

This articles outlines the different types of water sources available along the Lycian Way and which of them are more (or less) likely to be rather rude and inconsiderate to your stomach.

Way-finding, trail blazes / signposts, and the joy of getting lost.

Read on to discover what’s involved in getting from point A to point B on the Lycian Way.

Trail variants. Skipping sections. Short itineraries. Choosing suitable stage lengths.

Read on for more info.

It is (relatively) easy to significantly lighten your load while hiking on the Lycian Way using a ‘base of operations’.

Read on for details.

Read on for more shrewd, insightful tips only available on this great site.

Some considerations to keep in mind when packing for the Lycian Way.

This 3-day mountain stretch has no accommodations available along it. The easiest way to do it is, of course, by camping. But one of the nice things about the Lycian Way is that you don’t have to camp. Even this 3-day stretch can be done without camping!

It requires some extra logistical planning, but it is do-able!

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Trek the Best of the Lycian Way on Turkey's Mediterranean Coast

Trek the best sections of Turkey's Lycian Way, a 310-mile network of ancient paths, mule and caravan trails and backcountry roads on the country's south Mediterranean coast, traversing peaks and seacoast, staying in villages and supported camps, and passing ancient Lycian and Roman tombs and ruins along the way.

The Anatolian peninsula, now Turkey, has been a crossroads of civilization for centuries, and Lycia, along the country’s Mediterranean coast, is one of the most ancient.  Here mountains rise steeply from a rocky coast, with beautiful views out over the turquoise sea.    The Lycians who occupied this coast from the Bronze age (1300BC) through the rise of the Byzantine empire, were a prosperous, democratic, independent people, sea traders, with well-developed art traditions shaped by Persian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine rule.  Lycia crumbled with the Roman empire, and now graves and ruins abound, with extensive ruins and isolated tombs scattered among the rocks, hills and forest, many still undocumented. 

Experience this amazing convergence of natural splendor, physical challenge, history/archaeology and warm, friendly village life on a trek of the Lycian Way, a 310 mile footpath along this fascinating coast from Oludeniz in the west to Antalya in the east.  Walk between villages, mountain hamlets, Lycian and Roman sites on your way, climbing rugged bluffs and descending to the seacoast as you go along.  Stay in villages and supported camps, enjoying the warm hospitality and amazing food of rural Turkey, and carrying only a daypack.  On rest days along the way, kayak or relax along the Turquoise Coast.

The Lycian Way trek can be easily linked with a tour of the magnificent historical and cultural sights of Istanbul and the Aegean , and with exploration of the rock-cut churches, underground civilization and fairy chimneys on a  Trek-Tour of Cappadocia !

• Suitable Activities: Global Adventures
• Seasons: March, April, May
• Weather: View weather forecast
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Length: 115.0 mi
• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
• Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 15
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 15

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

• Trek Turkey's Lycian Way

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Lycian Way Turkey’s first long-distance trekking route

Lycian way background.

Lycia is the historical name of the Tekke Peninsula, which juts into the Mediterranean on Turkey’s southern coast. The mountains rise steeply from the rocky coast, giving beautiful views and varied walking. Forestry predominates; pines are mixed with strawberry trees and carob, and give way to juniper and cedar at higher elevations. Along with coastal tourism, high-intensity agriculture is crowded onto the deltas. The Lycians were a democratic but independent, warlike people, with a developed art style and a high standard of living. Their strategic position gave them unique opportunities for sea-trade and (at times) for piracy. After Persian rule, the Lycians welcomed Alexander the Great and absorbed Greek culture. Later, Lycia became a province of the Roman Empire. The Romans developed many cities and ports, linking them with paved roads and equipping them with theatres, baths, forums, temples and ceremonial gates. From the 4th Century, Christianity took hold and, as the Roman empire crumbled, many Byzantine monasteries were founded in the Lycian hills. Lycian graves and ruins abound on the peninsula and the Lycian Way passes about 25 remote historical sites.

Map as of March 2023

The Lycian Way is a 760 km, 35-day way-marked footpath around the coast of Lycia in southern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya. The trail consists mainly of Roman roads, old footpaths and mule trails, often hard and stony underfoot, not suitable for mountain bikes. Lying between the coast and mountains, it often has steep gradients. It was researched, designed and waymarked by Kate Clow, a British/Turkish amateur historian, in 1999. Turkey’s first long-distance walking route, it was made in order to identify and protect some of Turkey’s old roads. It now includes St Nicholas Ways, a network of paths connecting ruined Byzantine monasteries above Demre, linked to the Lycian Way.

The start point, at Ölüdeniz, is 2 hours from Dalaman airport and the end point is now at Geyikbayırı, from which there are daily buses to Antalya. We are working on a link to the St. Paul Trail, which will open in 2019. If you want to walk this 10-day connection route now, please mail us. In addition, at three places along the trail are groups of local walking routes, marked in yellow and red. These are the Fethiye trails network (created by Ersin Demirel for the Fethiye Chamber of Trade, but no longer maintained); Kemer Trails, maintained by the Kemer Municipality, and Konyaaltı Trails, maintained by the Konyaaltı Municipality.) Some of these are included or linked to the Lycian Way, so you may see red and yellow signs. All the linked trails are shown on Open Street Map (see the relevant page), so you can use them as well as the Lycian Way.

There is good public transport all along the trail and opportunities to swim, canoe or paraglide. Trekking is best in spring or autumn – February-May or September-November. We especailly recommend February, which is often warmer and sunnier than March. Summer in Lycia is too hot for long walks. Except for 3 high-level sections, every night you can find accommodation in village houses, pensions or small hotels. Independent trekkers will find plenty of wild camping places with nearby water.

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There are hundreds of thousands of guides and tour operators around the world. Figuring out who to trust is stressful and hard.

That’s why we started 10Adventures Tours, we’re here to make it easy to find a great guide or tour operator. We handpick the best local guides and tour operators for 10Adventures, working to ensure you have great guides and a great trip.

We know it sucks to show up in a different country and find out the tents are junk, the guide incompetent or the route different from what we thought we were getting.

We want to give our users peace of mind that you’ll have a great trip and offer a guarantee that we will work with you to make it right.

How does this work? Well, if you feel that something about your trip didn’t’ meet your expectations, let us know. We will then work to gather the details and figure out where things went wrong. If something indeed wasn’t as described, or went wrong with your trip, and the problem was within the control of either oursleves, the guide or the tour company, we will then work out a refund with you that’s proportional to the scale of the problem.

Obviously the best way to make a great trip is to tell your local guide or tour operator and give them the chance to fix the solution while you are on your trip. Most things can be solved by telling your guide when the issue develops. If that doesn’t solve it, then email us right away. Please don’t wait to voice your concerns until the trip is over, as it’s much harder to solve issues after the fact.

We work hard to make sure you have a great trip. If something isn’t right, please email  [email protected]  and we will get to work right away.

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Lycian Way Trek

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Accommodations

Accommodations for 13 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included.

Don't worry about meals. 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners are included.

Check out the 'What's Included' tab for more info on personal transfers during your tour.

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Luggage transfers

Take a load off, with optional or included luggage transfers. Check inclusions for further details.

Accommodation for Lycian Way Trek

This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.

Hotels in villages along the Lycian Way

Stay in comfortable local hotels in an array of Turkish villages, brimming with ancient and local charm.

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Lycian Way Trek Tour Details

Overview for lycian way trek.

This 14-day guided trek follows a large section of Turkey’s first-ever long-distance footpath – the Lycian Way. The famous route snakes its way above the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of 'the Land of Light' Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos to the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya. The trek continues on coastal paths around the sheltered harbour and tiny islands of Simena and Kekova lagoon, famous for the underwater ruins of the Sunken City that can be visited by boat. The tour ends at the charming coastal town of Kaş with a day full of activities at sea.

Itinerary for Lycian Way Trek

Meet with your guide and driver at Antalya Airport. Transfer to Kaleiçi, the historical city centre of Antalya (30 mins) where you are surrounded by old mansions, hamams and mosques. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

Hisarçandır - Göynük

After a transfer from Antalya (1hr 15mins) your walk starts through the Hisarçandır traverse with a beautiful forest of pine and cedar trees. Antalya and the Tauros mountains are visible in the distance. The walk leads down to the bottom of the Göynük canyon from where you’ll have a short transfer to your pension. Dinner and overnight in a pension in Göynük.

Göynük - Göynük Yayla

You’ll take a short transfer from your pension to the entrance of the Göynük canyon and walk up the gorge over switchback ridges beneath pine trees, with excellent views to pastures and orchards. It is possible to swim where the river forms a nice pool near our lunch spot. You’ll meet your transfer vehicle near a bridge (850m) from where you’ll transfer to Ovacık.

Göynük Yayla - Yayla Kuzdere

Transfer back to where you left the walk the previous day. On the trek to Gedelme you will explore a Roman castle and continue your walk up to the village of Yayla Kuzdere (900m) for your overnight.

Dinner and overnight in village house in Yayla Kuzdere.

Yayla Kuzdere - Beycik

From Yayla Kuzdere you start with a steady climb up a stream bed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı). You’ll climb the pass from here (1950m) through the forest of pines and impressive cedar trees. You’ll descend via a winding mule path to the village of Beycik (900m) where you’ll meet the transfer vehicle that takes you to the pension in Çıralı.

NOTE: Day 5 can be changed into an optional ascent of Mount Olympos summit (2366m). In that case, you don't descend to Beycik but climb from Yayla Kuzdere to the pass and from there to the top (total 6-7 hours and appr. 1400m uphill). From the summit, you’ll take the cable car to the lower station and transfer to Çıralı (cable car ticket not included).

Ancient Olympos & Chimaera (Yanartaş)

After breakfast, take an optional exploration of the ruins of ancient Olympos (total appr. 6km along the beach). This ancient city, which gets its name from its view of Mount Olympos, was built on the banks of a wide river flowing into the sea near Çıralı adjoining a long, sandy beach. It once was a hideout for pirates and amongst its ruins are tombs, temples, churches and palaces all hidden between lush vegetation. After lunch, there is free time until dinner. You can swim and lie on the beach or do other activities as desired (eg. sea kayak). After dinner you’ll enjoy a short night walk to admire the eternal burning flames of Chimaera.

Çıralı - Adrasan

You’ll start directly from your pension in Çıralı and walk through the ancient city of Olympos and up Musa Dağı (Moses Mountain, alt. 650m). The climb is through a dense forest with many strawberry trees and passes some minor ancient ruins. After having a picnic lunch near an old hut you’ll descend through the forest, past deserted farmhouses to reach our accommodation in the beautiful bay of Adrasan.

Adrasan - Gelidonya Lighthouse

The walk starts directly out of your hotel and leads south via Kızıl Sırt (450m) along a remote and isolated coastline. You’ll follow a path parallel to the coast at a high altitude along cliffs and green slopes, overlooking the sea and enjoying great views towards some little islands. After arriving at the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonya (200m) you’ll walk down to a dirt road to meet your transfer vehicle for the transfer to Beymelek. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse in Beymelek.

Kapaklı - Simena

You’ll drive to Kapaklı where you’ll rejoin the Lycian Way. Along sheltered coves and rocky inlets, you’ll reach Simena (also known as Kale). You’ll enter the village near the crusader castle, built on the remains of a necropolis with sarcophagi and rock-cut tombs and with outstanding views across to Kekova. Yur pension is situated right on the shore with lovely views across the bay.

Kılıçlı (Apollonia) – Aperlai & cruise

You transfer by boat and car to the village of Kılıçlı and climb the acropolis of the ancient Lycian city of Apollonia. The descent is along old mule paths to the seaside ruins of ancient Aperlai, a Lycian harbour town, from where purple dye extracted from seashells was exported to the centres of the Roman world. After a short coastal walk, you are collected by boat and can enjoy a cruise over the Sunken City before returning to Simena. A swim in the crystal clear waters will be accompanied by a barbecue lunch as you sail past the ruins of houses and harbour works.

Boğazcık - Okçuöldüğü

You’ll transfer to the village of Boğazcık from where you’ll walk past Ottoman cisterns and Roman watchtowers to the beach. After a swimming break, continue along the rocky coast to the hamlet of Okçuöldüğü from where have a transfer to Kaş (30 mins).

Okcuöldüğü - Limanağzı/Kaş

Transfer back to Okçuöldüğü from where you enjoy a short walk on coastal paths with many opportunities for a swim. You’ll have lunch at a restaurant in Limanağzı where the walk ends. After some free time, take a ferry boat to cross over to the harbour town of Kaş.

Free day in Kaş

Free day in Kaş with ample opportunities for swimming, diving, canoeing, paragliding or just some souvenir shopping and relaxing.

Farewell dinner in local restaurant and overnight in hotel in Kaş.

Today your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Transfer from Kaş to Antalya airport (35 hrs).

Tour Highlights

Highlights for lycian way trek.

Trek Turkey’s incredible Lycian Way and explore the limestone peaks of mighty Mount Olympos.

Explore the picture-perfect islands that dot the glittering sea, like Simena and Kekova lagoon.

Experience the mystical underwater ruins of the famous Sunken City.

Hike wooded valleys, limestone peaks, as you explore “The Land of Light”.

What's Included

What's included for lycian way trek.

13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners are included.

Transportation during the Tour

This tour includes airport pick up and drop-off as well as luggage transfers. This tour doesn’t include any local or international flights and you will be hiking between your overnight locations yourself.

Also Included

• English-speaking guide

Not included

• Any domestic or international flights
• Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
• Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
• Entrance fees to museums and monuments

Optional Extras

• Single supplements

Dates & Prices

Dates and prices for lycian way trek.

This guided tour in the Turkish Mediterranean Coast is typically run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group, however, private guided treks are available on request. Please note that additional price supplement may apply to groups smaller than 8.

Prices below are per person:

Accommodation

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Tour Booking Process

Booking process for lycian way trek.

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Frequently asked questions for Lycian Way Trek

How hard is the Lycian Way Trek?

We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. The trails are not technical, and the elevation is minimal, however, you should be ready to hike for up to 6 hours daily.

Do I need a visa to travel to Turkey?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website , though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Lycian Way Trek?

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance .

How do I get to Antalya to start this tour?

Fly into Antalya Airport, from where you will be picked up.

Is the Lycian Way Trek in English?

Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.

Where does the Lycian Way Trek end?

The tour ends in Antalya, where you will be transferred to an airport for your flight.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Turkey?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Turkey?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

Tour Difficulty

Difficulty for lycian way trek.

Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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LYCIAN WAY - TURKEY

• AVAILABILITY

TRIP OVERVIEW

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Tour Highlights

Experience some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean along Turkey's Turquoise Coast

Follow a portion of the famous Lycian Way walking path by water - it stretches 509 kilometres from Fethiye to Antalya!

Discover the historic city of Aperlai, including ancient ruins both above and below water

Explore caves, tunnels, arches and bays as we complete a range of beautiful coastal swims and challenging crossings

Relax and soak in the world-renowned Turkish hospitality in the lovely seaside village of Kaş

Based in the small coastal village of Kaş, we spend the week exploring countless caves, tunnels, arches, and bays. Our swims will uncover the area’s most isolated beaches, scattered archipelagos and ancient sites, including the historic city of Aperlai, strewn in ruins both above and below water. There is so much to discover as we swim along a portion of the Lycian Way walking path, which stretches 509 kilometres from Fethiye to Antalya.

Our main boat for the week is a traditional Turkish ‘gulet,’ which is an ideal way to experience this part of the world. The gulet is also where we will enjoy the fresh, traditional Turkish lunches which are served on board between your swims – a highlight for many SwimTrekkers! There is plenty of room to stretch out as well and relax under the sun while you are out of the water.

Who is this trip for?

This trip is designed for swimmers who enjoy both crossings and coastal swims, including exploring sea caves, tunnels, and arches.

Swimmers should have a basic understanding of open water swimming and be capable of completing the average swim distance and average daily swim distance (over the course of two swims) prior to the start of the trip.

The average swim distance is around 3km. The average daily swim distance is around 5km.

We have given this trip a ‘Moderate’ grading. Most swimmers comfortable in the open water will be able to take part and enjoy one of these trips.

What's included?

• Fully guided swimming holiday (swimmers only)
• Professional swim guides and full safety escort on all swims (swimmers only)
• Six nights' accommodation
• All breakfasts
• All lunches (swimmers only)
• Full ABTOT Financial Protection
• Technique advice with video playback

What's not included?

• Travel to and from the start of the trip
• Evening meals
• Drinks and additional activities

Sample Trip Itinerary

Please note that the below daily itineraries are an example of the swims that may take place during your trip, however, actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and swim conditions. Your SwimTrek guides and local boat pilots will determine the most suitable swim locations each day and will communicate the plan with all guests as soon as possible.

Trip Schedule

Start Point: BeLinda Hotel , Kaş, Turkey

Start Time: 17:00 on Day 1

Finish Point: BeLinda Hotel , Kaş, Turkey

Finish Time: 11:00 on Day 7

After meeting in the reception area of the hotel, we will head down to the beach for your acclimatisation swim. We will then return to the hotel for a welcome drink and a safety briefing while discussing our plans for the week ahead. For those booked onto a trip in 2023, your acclimatisation swim will take place in the morning of Day 2.

First thing this morning, we make our way out to Kaş Peninsula for our first coastal swim of the trip. Following lunch and some time to relax on board the gulet, we get you back into the water to film your stroke, both above and below the water. After the filming session, we’ll set off on another enchanting coastal swim, which finishes at the at the tranquil Dolphin Beach.

This morning is spent island-hopping within the Canyon Archipelago of seven islands, situated midway between Greece and Turkey. We retreat to Ufakdere to moor our gulet for lunch. After lunch, we’ll complete a stunning coastal swim out from Ufakdere bay. Once we arrive back at the hotel, we will review the video playback from Day 2.

This morning, we head out along the coast, past the Uluburun Cliffs for a swim towards the ancient city of Aperlai. Here we swim into the bay, over ancient foundations and ruins which have been deposited on the seabed by numerous earthquakes. Once we arrive at the bay, which sits beneath the city of Aperlai, you can complete a short but rocky walk uphill to explore the city’s ruins. After lunch on board the boat, we head back to Kaş, stopping off for our swim following the Lycian Way from beneath the dramatic cliffs of Uluburun. The day concludes with a walk to the Kaş amphitheatre to see the sunset after another great day of swimming.

We make our way to Bayrak Adasi, just outside the Greek waters off the island of Meis, before beginning our crossing back to the Turkish mainland. This is one of the more challenging and rewarding swims of the week. After completing the crossing, it’s time for a snack and lunch aboard the gulet. Following lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy, whether that involves taking the evening ferry over to Meis, exploring the village of Kaş, or simply relaxing at the nearby beach areas. For guests who are looking for other activities to take part in, a traditional Turkish bath or breathtaking paragliding session are fantastic ways to spend your afternoon.

This morning, we swim along the last section of the coast, making our way from Choban Beach, towards Limanağzi, looking out for the cave on the way. Once we reach Limanağzi, we moor for lunch on the boat before a final coastal swim out of the bay towards Pebble Beach - make sure you look out for tombs hidden within the rock face!

We hold a final early morning swim before breakfast to conclude our fantastic week of swimming along the Turkish Lycian Way.

click to expand

Accommodation

BeLinda Hotel

Being within half a kilometre of the city centre and main beach of Kas the Linda Hotel is the perfect base from which to swim the Lycian Way.

The recently redecorated, air-conditioned, rooms provide a peaceful environment; while the pool side area offers guests the chance to enjoy an alfresco breakfast in preparation of a day’s swimming!

Please note that we stay at the Belinda Hotel, not the Linda Beach Hotel which is also located in Kaş.

Location Summary

The Lycian Way is a 509km walking path which follows several ancient routes of the local Lycian people along Turkey’s beautiful southern coastline. The path runs from Fethiye to Antalya and takes in some of the region’s most breathtaking scenery and historic sites, including fascinating ruins from the Greek, Roman and Persian civilisations. We can walk a small section of this iconic path as we traverse a narrow, rocky path towards the ancient city of Aperlai.

The small coastal village of Kaş is our home for the week and a fantastic base from which to explore the surrounding area. With its narrow streets, filled with cafes, bars and restaurants, there are plenty of options to enjoy the delicious local cuisine and experience the renowned local hospitality.

Kekova is a small island, which was declared a protected area in 1990. Just off its coast are the spectacular underwater ruins of Dolchiste - an ancient town destroyed by an earthquake in the 2nd Century.

Trip Grading

Swimming distances.

*Please note that these swims are an example of what may take place during your trip and should be used as a guide only. Actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and swim conditions.

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in the open water is a fantastic experience, however you should be aware that certain marine life such as jellyfish, plankton, sea lice, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims and may cause some discomfort. In all cases we will work on reducing your contact with these creatures and that any interactions are managed safely. If you suffer from anaphylaxis, please consult the office prior to booking.

Walking Conditions

Most walks to and from our swims take place on recognised paths and tracks, however there may be cases where we walk along trails or other unsealed surfaces and care should be taken in these areas.

There is also an opportunity to walk a short (approximately 200 metre) section of the famous Lycian Way. This walk takes place on a rocky, uphill track which leads to the ancient city of Aperlai. Sturdy walking shoes or sandals are recommended for this walk.

Temperatures

*Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. As a consequence, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible.

Trip Information

This trip has a maximum group size of 16. The group will be split into a maximum of three groups, based on speed, with each group being accompanied by their own safety vessel/escort. 

Boat Support

Boat support on this trip includes one main boat and two inflatable boats to be piloted by your SwimTrek guides and a local boat pilot. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed.

Extra Activities

There are a number of additional activities available locally or via a transfer along the coast. From Turkish baths to visiting the Greek island of Meis, there is something to suit everyone in Kas. If you want to book additional excursions either end of your trip, our partners at WILUSA will be able to help you. You can contact them directly at [email protected] .

Equipment Checklist

For your basic, essential packing list, please visit our Packing List page on the website. For additional, location specific items , please see the information below.

SwimTrek will provide water and electrolytes at every location and refill your bottles.

Getting There

The easiest way to get to Kaş is to fly into Dalaman and take a shared transfer to the Belinda Hotel in Kaş. It is also possible to fly into Antalya and take a private transfer, however, please be aware that this can take up to one hour longer than the journey from Dalaman to Kaş.

Whichever route you choose to take, we recommend confirming your flights and other travel arrangements as early as possible to avoid price rises and availability issues.

As SwimTrekkers come from all over the world, and join our swimming holidays in numerous destinations, we don't currently offer flights as part of our SwimTrek packages. We do however want to do as much as we can to ensure that our guests get the best deals when travelling to one of our trips so check out SwimTrek's tips to help you get the best deals for your flights page on the website.

Dalaman Airport to Kas - Transfers

You can arrange a private transfer service through several online and local providers direct from the airport to the the Belinda Hotel in Kaş, depending on the number of passengers and the time of arrival at the airport.

Our local partner, Wilusa Travel, can also assist with the provision of private and shared transfers. For a quote, please email [email protected] at least seven days prior to your arrival with your flight number and arrival time.

Dalaman Airport to Kas - Shuttle Service

Transfer Kas provides a shared transfer from Dalaman Airport and Kaş. The cost depends on the number of passengers and the time of year. It takes approximately 2 ½ hours. You can reserve your place for this service via www.transferkas.com .

Dalaman Airport to Kas - Public Bus

Catching a public bus is a great way to see more of the Turkish coast. From the airport, you will need to travel to Fethiye using local bus company. A timetable can be found at www.havas.net . Once in Fethiye, you will need to change buses to head towards Kaş. Buses from both the airport to Fethiye and Fethiye to Kaş run frequently throughout the day. The total journey time is approximately 3½ hours.

Antalya Airport to Kas - Transfers

You can arrange a private transfer service through a number of online and local providers direct from the airport to the the Belinda Hotel in Kaş depending on the number of passengers and the time of arrival at the airport.

Our local partner, Wilusa Travel, can also assist with the provision of transfers. For a quote, please email [email protected] at least seven days prior to your arrival with your flight number and arrival time.

Accommodation during this trip is in thethe Belinda Hotel in the small coastal village of Kaş. Our accommodation is based on twin-share rooms with en-suite facilities. There are a limited number of single supplement rooms which can be reserved during the booking process, subject to availability.

Please note that we stay at the Belinda Hotel in Kaş, not the Linda Beach Hotel which is also located in Kaş.

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation and Trip Extension Options

If you require any additional nights’ accommodation before or after the trip, this can be arranged directly via our partners in Turkey, Wilusa via [email protected] .

Food and Drink

All breakfasts and lunches are included in your trip price - however, dinners are at your own expense. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to explore and experience the local cafes and restaurants of your choice over the course of your trip.

For more information, please visit our food and drink page on the website.

Travel Advice

For more information on any of the following sections please visit the Travel Advice page of our website.

Money, Extra Expenses and Tipping

You should bring extra money with you to cover items such as meals not already included in your package, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc.

In some countries, tipping (gratuities) is not part of the culture - in others it has become an expected norm. We believe that tipping is done entirely at your own discretion. If you have been provided with excellent service it may be something you wish to do. Your SwimTrek Guides can advise on local norms for service providers like boat crew, waiters or taxis. Nothing is expected for your SwimTrek Guides but many groups like to present something to the Guides at the end of the trip.

The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira.

Responsible Travel

SwimTrek is conscious of the importance of protecting the world’s natural wonders. We are acutely aware of our responsibility to not only take care of the natural environments which we are lucky enough to explore, but also to educate our guests about the importance of conservation efforts and responsible tourism. It’s for this reason that we have worked so closely with our partners to ensure that our trips are conducted in the most responsible and sustainable way possible, working tirelessly to minimise the impact of our presence on local marine life and the natural habitat.

For more information, please visit our Responsible Travel page on the website.

Passports and Visas

Turkey is not part of the European Union. Non-residents of Turkey require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. UK and EU Citizens do not need a visa to enter Turkey and stay for a period of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries including Australia and New Zealand require a visa to enter Turkey. Most foreign nationals entering Turkey must purchase a visa before entering the country. It is important that you purchase your visa through the official website, www.evisa.gov.tr and avoid purchasing through third-party providers, as these can be considerably more expensive.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and it is important that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. Your travel insurance should also cover you for open water swimming and any other activity listed in your trip itinerary (including races and competitions, where applicable). Please read your policy details carefully and remember to take them with you on your trip for your own reference.

For further information, please visit our Travel Insurance page on the website.

Health Information and Recommended Vaccinations

Here at SwimTrek, we pride ourselves on our focus on safety and the well-being of all our guests. As we operate in some beautiful and remote locations medical facilities are not always easily accessible. SwimTrek Guides, and many staff working for our local partners, are first aid trained. However, we ask that you read our Travel Health page to ensure that you are informed about general Travel and Swim Health precautions.

Travel Plugs & Electricity

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit www.worldstandards.eu .

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The Lycian Way SwimTrek was a great trip and challenge for me. I didn't expect to be able to swim such distances in the sea. All the suggestions for my swimming really helped me improve my skills. I met fantastic people. It was really a pleasure and great fun!

SwimTrek have put together an amazing location to swim with highly experienced boat crew, exceptional guides and the whole experience was silky smooth, challenging, life changing to some extent. The experience because of the level of detail applied by SwimTrek, far exceeded my expectations. I loved it all!

This trip was truly incredible. The water is so clear and a turtle even lead us on on of our swims one day. Kas is such a cute town and the swims were so enjoyable. Crossing from Greece to Turkey was definitely a highlight. And our lunches on the boat were delicious. I’m looking forward to doing other SwimTreks but I may have to do this one again because it was so great.

The Lycian way is spectacular: swimming with turtles and over ancient ruins was an experience that I will never forget!

I'm three trips in and puzzling over how this company can exceed my expectations so drastically every time. The kind of guests these trips attract are my kind of people...

This was just the most fantastic trip ever - warm clear waters, lots of fish and sights to see, brilliant guides, beautiful food and great people.

SwimTrekkers on the boat

Stopping for a refuel

Flipping in on the Lycian Way

Our guide looks out

Freediving in Turkey

Lunchtime between swims and I get to see the sunken wreck of a plane off the coast of Kas

More 2023 swims!

2023 sunlit trips

Onboard the SwimTrek boat

SwimTrekkers in formation

Emerald shallows

Swimming alongside the cliffs

The blanket octopus

The chalky coastline

Swimmers and distant escort

Swimmers and escort boat at sea

Swimmer out in the big blue

Headed back for lunch!

Lycian Way coastal shot

Guide keeps watch from the RIB

Just look at that coastline!

Swimmer under the strafing sunlight

Swimmers cutting around the headland

Clear water

Stunning photo on the SwimTrek LYcian Way trip in Turkey

SwimTrek boat on Lycian Way

SwimTrekkers enjoying Kas after swimming

Swimmer jumping into the water in Kas

Picturesque

Ampitheatre

Blue waters

Swimming with Turtles

Group collects in a secluded bay

Pre lunch video analysis

another day's adventure

There she goes, having allowed me to spend time with her in her habitat, such a beautiful graceful creature

Bird Island

Here's waving at you all.... can you see the Bird ?

Turtle fun 2 Turkey Lycisn Way 2014

Rock swimmers in Turkey

Coastal swimming in Turkey

Rock face on the Lycian way SwimTrek trip

swimming holiday Lycian Way

Happy swimmers finishing their swims on our Lycian Way trip

SwimTrekker exploring the rocks in Turkey

Boat from the Tombs

Looking from Turkey towards Greece

Related links.

• Swimming Holidays Europe
• Swimming Holidays Turkey
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• Swimming Holidays Bozburun - Turkey
• Swimming Holidays Bozburun Short Swims - Turkey
• Swimming Holidays Hellespont Week Tour
• Swimming Holidays Hellespont and Dardanelles Swim
• Swimming Holidays Lycian Way - Turkey
• Swimming Holidays Lycian Way Long Swims - Turkey
• Swimming Holidays Lycian Way With Teens - Turkey

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