The Complete Lycian Way

Day 1: Antalya

Arrive at Antalya Airport and enjoy our complimentary transfer (45 minutes) to your hotel in Kaleiçi, the historical centre of Antalya.

• Accommodation: Atelya Art Hotel or similar

Day 2: Hisarcandir – Göynük | 16km

A car transfer will bring you from Antalya to the walk’s beginning point (1h 15mins). You will walk through the Hisarcandır traverse with beautiful pine and cedar forests and several viewpoints towards Antalya. The trail leads downhill and down to the bottom of the canyon at Göynük.

• Accommodation: guesthouse in Göynük(Natural Pension or similar)
• Walking for the day: 16km, 6h, ↑260m ↓1,525m

Day 3: Göynük – Göynük Yayla | 17km

A challenging day awaits you – you walk uphill all day, starting at the Göynük gorge entrance and going over switchback ridges beneath pine trees, with excellent views to pastures and orchards. You will cross a remote and boulder strewn riverbed in the canyon where it may be necessary to take off your shoes and wade through in early spring and late autumn. It is possible to swim where the river forms a beautiful pool in the canyon. You meet your vehicle near a bridge (850m) from where you transfer to your hotel in Ovacık. Your destination is the mountain village of Ovacık, where you will have dinner and enjoy a magnificent view of the sea and the high mountains of Taurus from your hotel.

• Accommodation: Gül Mountain Resort
• Walking for the day: 17km, 6h, ↑1,200m ↓500m

Day 4: Göynük Yayla – Yayla Kuzdere | 16km

Today you continue with another long, but rewarding walk. You transfer back to where you left the walk the previous day. Then you trek along high mountain paths and tracks to the village of Gedelme, where you can explore a Roman castle. From there, you walk up to the mountain village of Yayla Kuzdere (alt. 900m), enjoying views of Mount Tahtalı. Dinner and overnight in Sevim’s village house in Yayla Kuzdere.

• Accommodation: Village house in Yayla Kuzdere (shared bathroom facilities)
• Walking for the day: 16km, 5h, ↑460m ↓530m

Day 5: Yayla Kuzdere – Beycik (Optional Climb of Mt Olympos) | 15km

From Yayla Kuzdere, you start with a steady steep climb up a stream bed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı). You climb the pass from Çukur Yayla (alt. 1950m) through a forest of pines and impressive cedar trees and descend via a steep winding path through the lovely forest to the village of Beycik (alt. 900m). Your transfer vehicle takes you to Çıralı (30min). Dinner and overnight at Kiyı Pension in Çıralı.

Optional ascent of Mount Olympos.
Note: Day 5 can be changed to include an optional ascent of Mount Olympos (2,365m). In that case, you don’t descend to Beycik but climb from Yayla Kuzdere to the saddle and from there to the top. From the summit, you take the cable car to the lower station and transfer to Çıralı (cable car ticket c. 22 euro one-way pp not included, payable on-site).

• Accommodation: guesthouse in Çıralı (Kiyı Pension or similar)
• Walking for the day: 15km, 6h, ↑1,000m ↓1,130m (standard route) or 11km, 6h, ↑1,450m ↓180m (optional climb of Mt Olympos)

Day 7: Çıralı – Adrasan | 20km

You start directly from 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 descend through a forest, past deserted farmhouses before you reach sea level and your accommodation in the beautiful bay of Adrasan.

• Accommodation: Deniz Hotel in Adrasan or similar
• Walking for the day: 20km, 6-7h, ↑720m ↓720m

Day 8: Adrasan – Gelidonia Lighthouse | 18km

Again you start directly out of your hotel, and the route leads south via Kızıl Sırt (alt. 450m) along a remote and isolated coastline. You follow rocky a path parallel to the coast at a high altitude along cliffs and green slopes, overlooking the sea and enjoying magnificent views towards some little islands. After arriving at the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonia (alt. 200m), you walk down to a dirt road to meet your transfer vehicle for the transfer to Beymelek (1h 10mins). Dinner and overnight in Taş Evler Guesthouse in Beymelek.

• Accommodation: Taş Evler Guesthouse or similar
• Walking for the day: 18km, 7h, ↑700m ↓700m

Day 9: Kapakli – Simena | 9km

Transfer from Adrasan to Kapaklı (1h 20min) to start the walk via rocky pastures to ancient Istlada and onwards to a small inlet (suitable for a swimming break) before crossing open fields towards Simena. You climb past impressive ancient Lycian tombs to the medieval castle, which dominates this remarkable harbour town. The houses are built between the ruins, and it can only be reached on foot or by boat, thus retaining a lot of its charms. Your pension is situated right on the shore with lovely views across Kekova lagoon, also known as the Sunken City.

• Accommodation: Ankh Pension or similar
• Walking for the day: 9km, 3h, ↑150m ↓100m

Day 10: Kılıçlı – Üçağız/Simena | 17- 20km

You transfer to the village of Kılıçlı (35 mins. incl boat transfer) and ascend the acropolis of ancient Apollonia to explore the ruins. The route then descends over mule paths to the seaside ruins of Aperlai. After a swim and or lunch you continue with a fairly level walk across the Sıcak peninsula of Aperlai. From a boat house you head inland and enjoy the colourful fields with red earth‚ white rocks and green oak trees. The pathturns east along the rocky coast to reach the fishing village of Üçağız. Here you can opt for a taxi boat transfer (pay locally) or walk the last 3 km along the minor road to Simena.

You can also enjoy a free day at Simena. The pension provides free of charge kayaks to explore the nearby coastline with. They offer cruises in Kekova Bay with their private gullets (pay locally). Another option is to arrange a sea kayak excursion across the Sunken city with a local sea kayak company (pay locally).

• Accommodation: Ankh Pension or similar
• Walking for the day: 17- 20km, 5-6h, ↑150m ↓600m

Day 11: Boğazcık – Okçüoldüğü | 12km

Transfer to the village of Boğazcık (35 mins. incl boat transfer) from where you walk past Roman watchtowers to the beach. You enjoy a swimming break and a seaside walk to a beach called Üzüm Iskelesi. After another 2.5h of walking along the rocky coast, you reach the hamlet of Okçüoldüğü from where you have a transfer to Kaş (30min). Dinner not included.

• Accommodation: Kayahan Hotel
• Walking for the day: 12km, 4-5h, ↑200m ↓560m

Day 12: Okçüoldüğü – Limanağzı | 9km

You transfer back to Okçüoldüğü from where you enjoy a short walk on coastal paths with many opportunities for swimming breaks. You can have lunch at a restaurant in Limanağzı, where your walk ends and transfer by boat to Kaş (pay locally). Picnic and dinner not included. Overnight in the same hotel in Kaş.

• Accommodation: Kayahan Hotel
• Walking for the day: 9km, 3-4h, ↑220m ↓380m

Day 13: Kayaköy / Rest Day

There are many opportunities in Kaş.for activities such as diving, canoeing, paragliding or just some souvenir shopping, swimming and relaxing. Late afternoon transfer to Kayaköy (16.00h, 2h) for your check-in at the accommodation. Dinner and overnight in Kayaköy.

• Accommodation: Misafir Evi Guesthouse

Day 14: Kayaköy-Ölüdeniz | 9km

The walk takes you right through the ruined Greek village of Kayaköy. Once a thriving Greek village, Kayaköy had over one thousand houses, two churches, fourteen chapels, and two schools. It was completely deserted in 1923 when the Christian inhabitants had to move to Greece following the Turkish War of Independence. You then cross a green headland to arrive at the famous white beaches of Ölüdeniz lagoon, where you may swim and relax. From the beach, you can take the minibus back to the hotel (pay locally) or opt for a return walk along a forested path from Ovacık to Kayaköy. Dinner and overnight in the same guesthouse in Kayaköy.

• Accommodation: Misafir Evi Guesthouse
• Walking for the day: 9km, 3h, ↑200m ↓350m (optional return 8km, 2,5h ↑215m ↓360m)

Day 15: Ovacık – Faralya | 14km

A short car transfer to the beginning of the Lycian Way West, where you start your hike with spectacular views of 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 ancient path to the small village of Faralya on the green slopes above the Butterfly Valley. Dinner and overnight in Faralya.

• Accommodation: Montenegro Guesthouse
• Walking for the day: 14km, 5-6h, ↑580m ↓615m

Day 16: Faralya – Alınca | 13km

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 Alınca, with impressive views over Yedi Burun (Seven Capes). Dinner and overnight in Alınca.

• Accommodation: Bayram Ali’s village house
• Walking for the day: 13km, 5-6h, ↑750m ↓450m

Day 17: Alınca – Sidyma (and transfer to Gey) | 11km

From Alınca village, you walk along a spectacular coastline towards a pasture with an old Ottoman cistern. There you have the choice to descend along a cobblestone trail to the secluded beach of Kalabantia, explore the ruins of the ancient harbor and swim in the crystal clear waters. After returning to the main trail, you follow an 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. You can have lunch in a lovely village house. Transfer from Sidyma to Gey (30min). Dinner and overnight in Gey.

• Accommodation: Muhtar’s Pension
• Walking for the day (standard): 11km, 4h, ↑490m ↓660m
• Walking for the day (extended option): 16km, 6h, ↑1,000m ↓950m

Day 18: Gey – Gavurağili/Patara | 14km

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

• Accommodation: Flower Pension
• Walking for the day: 14km, 6-7h, ↑500m ↓1,000m

Day 19: Delikkemer – Patara | 11km

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 high up in the mountains to ancient Patara on the coast. You walk back from the aqueduct to the ancient site of Patara, partly following the course of the old water pipes. You may explore the ruins of this important coastal city, where you can admire a theatre, bath complexes, temples and other remains of this once leading city of the Lycian League or simply relax on the beach.

• Accommodation: Flower Pension
• Walking for the day: 11km, 3h, ↑200m ↓350m

Day 20: Departure

Transfer to Antalya Airport or extra nights in Antalya.

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