Walking the Lycian Way

Day 1: Antalya

You are met at Antalya Airport and transferred to your hotel (45mins) in Kaleiçi, the historical centre of Antalya.

• Accommodation: Atelya Art Hotel or similar
• Meals included: none

Day 2: Hisarçandır – Göynük | 16km

You are transferred to the walk’s trailhead (1h 15mins) and walk through the Hisarçandır region’s pine and cedar forests, with several viewpoints towards Antalya. The trail leads downhill to the bottom of Göynük Gorge.

• Accommodation: guesthouse in Göynük (Natural Pension or similar)
• Walking for the day: 16km, 6h, ↑260m ↓1,525m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 3: Göynük – Göynük Yayla | 17km

A challenging day awaits, with an all day ascent starting at the entrance to Göynük Gorge entrance, following some switchback ridges beneath pine trees, with excellent views to the surrounding pastures and orchards. Cross a remote boulder-strewn riverbed in the canyon where it may be necessary to take off your shoes and wade through in early spring and autumn. It is possible to swim at certain points too. Meet your driver near a bridge (850m) who transfers you to your hotel in Ovacık, with great sea and mountain views.

• Accommodation: Gül Mountain Resort
• Walking for the day: 17km, 6h, ↑1,200m ↓500m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 4: Göynük Yayla – Yayla Kuzdere | 16km

Today’s walk is another long but rewarding one, starting with a transfer back to where you left the walk yesterday. From here, trek along high mountain paths and tracks to the village of Gedelme, with ruins of a Roman castle. Continue on to the village of Yayla Kuzdere (900m), taking in views of Mount Tahtalı. Spend the night in Sevim’s village house in Yayla Kuzdere.

• Accommodation: Sevim’s village house in Yayla Kuzdere (shared bathroom facilities)
• Walking for the day: 16km, 5h, ↑460m ↓530m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 5: Yayla Kuzdere – Beycik (optional ascent Mount Olympos) | 15km

From Yayla Kuzdere, start with a steady steep climb up along a riverbed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı). Climb the pass from Çukur Yayla (1,950m) through a forest of pine and cedar trees, then descend via a steep winding path to the village of Beycik (900m). Your driver meets you takes you to Çıralı (30mins) where you spend the night.

Optional ascent of Mount Olympos (2,365m):
Day five can be changed to include an ascent of Mount Olympos. If you choose this route, you don’t descend to Beycik but ascent from Yayla Kuzdere to the saddle and, from there, to the top. From the summit, take the cable car (€25 approx, payable locally) to the lower station and transfer to Çıralı.

• 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 Mount Olympus)
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 8: Adrasan – Gelidonia Lighthouse | 18km

Another start directly from your hotel, the route leads south via Kızıl Sırt (450m) along a remote and isolated coastline. Follow a rocky a path parallel to the coast at a high altitude along cliffs and green slopes with great sea views. After arriving at the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonia, you are met by your driver for a transfer to Beymelek (1h 10mins), where you spend the night.

• Accommodation: Taş Evler Guesthouse or similar
• Walking for the day: 18km, 7h, ↑700m ↓700m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 9: Kapaklı – Simena | 9km

You are transferred from Adrasan to Kapaklı (1h 20mins) 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. Climb past impressive ancient 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 guesthouse is located 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
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

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

You are transferred to the village of Kılıçlı (35mins. 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
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner. Picnic lunch not included, can be requested locally at your accommodation or bought in the village

Day 11: Boğazcık – Okçüoldüğü | 12km

Transfer to the village of Boğazcık (35mins including boat transfer) from where you walk past Roman watchtowers to the beach. Take 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 (30mins).

• Accommodation: Hotel Kayahan
• Walking for the day: 12km, 4-5h, ↑200m ↓560m
• Meals included: breakfast and picnic lunch. Dinner not included, large choice of restaurants in Kaş

Day 12: Okçüoldüğü – Limanağzı | 9km

You are transferred back to Okçüoldüğü from where you enjoy a short walk on coastal paths with many opportunities for swimming breaks. We recommend having lunch in a restaurant in Limanağzı, where your walk ends and you are transferred by boat to Kaş (payable locally).

• Accommodation: Hotel Kayahan
• Walking for the day: 9km, 3-4h, ↑220m ↓380m
• Meals included: breakfast. Dinner and picnic lunch not included, large choice of restaurants in Kaş

Day 13: Kayaköy – rest day

There are many opportunities in Kaş.for activities such as diving, canoeing, paragliding, swimming or just relaxing. Late afternoon transfer to Kayaköy (2h) to your next night on the Lycian Way.

• Accommodation: Misafir Evi Guesthouse
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner. Picnic lunch not included, large choice of restaurants in Kaş

Day 14: Kayaköy-Ölüdeniz | 9km

Today’s walk takes you right through the ruined village of Kayaköy. Once a thriving Greek village, Kayaköy had over a thousand houses, two churches, fourteen chapels and two schools. It was completely deserted in 1923 when Christian inhabitants had to move to Greece during the Turkish War of Independence. You then cross a headland to arrive at the famous white beaches of Ölüdeniz Lagoon, irresistible for keen swimmers. From the beach, you can take a bus back to the hotel (payable locally) or opt for a return walk along a forested path from Ovacık to Kayaköy. 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)
• Meals included: breakfast. Picnic lunch and dinner not included, a picnic lunch can be requested locally at your accommodation. There are many restaurants in Ölüdeniz or Kayaköy

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. Walk up the lower slopes of Baba Dağı (Father Mountain) following a paved mule path. After passing the villages of Kozağaç and Kirme, you descend to the small village of Faralya, overlooking Butterfly Valley.

• Accommodation: Montenegro Guesthouse
• Walking for the day: 14km, 5-6h, ↑580m ↓615m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 16: Faralya – Alınca | 13km

Walk from Faralya to Alınca along a forested path high above the secluded cove of Kabak, continuing along a mule trail to Alınca, with impressive views over Yedi Burun (Seven Capes).

• Accommodation: Bayram Ali’s village house, Alınca
• Walking for the day: 13km, 5-6h, ↑750m ↓450m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 17: Alınca – Sidyma – Gey | 11-16km

From Alınca, walk along a spectacular coastline towards a pasture with an old Ottoman cistern. There you have an option to descend along a cobblestone trail to the secluded beach of Kalabantia, explore the ruins of the ancient harbour and swim in the crystal clear waters. After returning to the main trail, head inland up an old mule trail to Sidyma to 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 are transferred from Sidyma to Gey (30mins).

• Accommodation: Muhtar’s Pension, Gey
• Walking for the day (standard): 11km, 4h, ↑490m ↓660m
• Walking for the day (extended option): 16km, 6h, ↑1,000m ↓950m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 18: Gey – Gavurağili/Patara | 14km

Walk along a tiny goat path around the spectacular, secluded bay of Gemili to the village of Bel. After a short section of dirt road, you come to Belceğiz and start your descent along the last of the Seven Capes following a steep rocky Roman road down to Gavurağili. You are met by your driver for a short transfer to Patara, famous for its long beach where giant sea turtles, caretta caretta, are known to come for laying eggs.

• Accommodation: Flower Pension
• Walking for the day: 14km, 6-7h, ↑500m ↓1,000m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 19: Delikkemer – Patara | 11km

After a short transfer, 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. Walk back from the aqueduct to the ancient site of Patara, partly following the course of the old water pipes, with ruins including a theatre, bath complexes and temples. This trip still leaves you plenty of time to enjoy the beach.

• Accommodation: Flower Pension
• Walking for the day: 11km, 3h, ↑200m ↓350m
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Day 20: Departure

Transfer to Antalya Airport or extra nights in Antalya.

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