Walking the Lycian Way
The Lycian Way is one of the world’s great long-distance hiking trails, regularly featuring in top-10 lists for its unique combination of Mediterranean views, mountainous hinterland, Turkish culture and ancient ruins. The route is a mix of stunning coastline, resort towns and rustic village. The 540km waymarked footpath – typically a 29-day trek – follows the bulging outline of the Teke Peninsula between the tourist towns of Fethiye and Antalya. Along the way, it skirts the coast and climbs up into the rugged backcountry. This stretch of dramatic Mediterranean coastline, its beaches and vertiginous sea cliffs overlooked by the olive-grove-dotted foothills of the Western Taurus Mountains, where travellers can explore moss-covered chambers of history’s first proto-democratic union. Here lies the stomping ground of the mysterious Lycian League, credited with establishing the world’s first parliament at Patara, before they were absorbed by the Roman Empire. Their crumbling burial monuments add further lyricism to the scenery.
Itinerary
Day 1. Transfer from Dalaman airport to Fethiye.
Day 1. Pick-up from Dalaman Airport at pre-agreed time. When all the group have met, we transfer to Fethiye in private vehicle. Drive time approximately 1 hour. Group welcome dinner.
Town centre comfortable hotel. BB.
Day 2. Trek from Fethiye via Kayakoy to Oludeniz
Leaving your hotel we walk via the spectacular Amyntas tomb above Fethiye ( optional entrance fee approx. 2€)
Continuing to climb past the remains of the Castle of the Knights of St John, we pick up the ancient cobbled road that connects Fethiye ( old name Megri – Telmessos) and Kayaköy (old name Livissi – Karmylassos)
This road has a somewhat tragic history, as described in Louis de Berniers’ novel ‘Birds without Wings’, as the ethnic Greeks of Kayaköy were marched down this road before being taken by ship to Greece during the exchange of population between Greece and Turkey in 1923-24.
The stiff climb through pine forest rewards you will excellent views of the Fethiye Bay.
Descending into the plain of Kayakoy we will walk to the hotel where we will stay the night.
From here we trek around the ghost town of Kayaköy ( Entrance fee included).
(For those who have had enough trekking for their first day, they can walk back to the hotel, making a total trek of 9KM 500M Ascent, 300M descent.)
The trek continues to the ridge above Kayaköy then descends on a spectacular footpath with excellent sea views.
We arrive at the Lagoon of Ölüdeniz and can reward ourselves with a dip in the sea.
We then walk the final 2km along the quiet lagoon road to the centre of Ölüdeniz, where we use public transport to get back to Kayaköy.
Dinner in hotel included. Simple hotel with swimming pool. HB
Total trekking 9km or 15km 500 or 750m ascent, 300 or 750m descent.
3.Day: Ovacik to Faralya ( Butterfly Valley)
A vehicle will pick us up and drive the short distance to Ovacik, from where today’s trek begins.
We start to walk at the official start point of the Lycian Way, the long distance footpath which we will be following for much of the next few days.
The trail takes us to the shoulders of Babadag ( Father Mountain 2000M) with magnificent views of Oludeniz lagoon and St Nicholas' island. Cresting the pass we trek through villages nestled under the summit of the mountain before descending to Faralya Village, which is perched on the edge of the famous butterfly valley.
We stay in a relatively comfortable trekkers lodge. Dinner and next day’s picnic included (Swimming pool available).
Trekking approx 13Km 5 Hours. 500 meters of ascent. 575 meters of descent.
4. Faralya - Kabak- Alinca- Gey
Walking straight from the lodge, we climb up to fine terraced land with views back to Oludeniz. On a clear day, the Datca peninsula, and sometimes even the island of Rhodes is visible.
Skirting above the pristine beach at Kabak village, we climb on an ancient path to a seemingly impassable valley. As the views improve with every step. Cresting to the ridge of Alınca, we can enjoy a glass of hot tea, to soak up the vistas of the ‘Seven Capes’ spread out below. Those who have had enough walking for today will be transferred free of charge to the accommodation.
We continue to the rustic village of Gey, perched on a headland of ancient terraces.
We stay in a hospitable but simple village house/trekkers’ lodge.
Dinner and next day’s picnic included.
Trekking approx 11km of 18 Km. 4 or 7 Hours. 720 or 1050 meters of ascent 420 meters of descent
5.Gey - Sidyma trek, then transfer to Patara
Bidding a sad farewell to our hosts, we continue uphill through the terraced farmland that creates a amphitheatre effect framing this beautiful village. We climb through pine forest striking into more open scrubland before we come to the pass which offers magnificent views to the high mountain inland, we enter a steep but very lush valley complete with the striking red skinned Arbutus trees as we descend to the fascinating ancient site of Sidyma, sharing space with the village of Dodurga. We will have time to explore the site before meeting our bus to go to Patara. We will visit the site of Patara, the metropolis of Lycia. many of the buildings were well preserved by virtue of being under the sand dunes. We will have time for a drink on the beach watching the sunset before dinner.
Overnight in standard pension. Dinner included.
Trekking approx 9 Km. 4 Hours. 400 meters of ascent 450 meters of descent.
6. Circular Patara walk
Today, those who would like a rest can just walk to the pristine sands of Patara beach!
For those who want to walk we pick-up the Lycian way from near the hotel and trek through pine forest to the fascinating Roman engineering masterpiece of Delikkemer aqueduct, a reverse syphon system. Those who want a short day are transferred back to Patara from here. For those who want a full walk continue around the Yali Peninsula, past various secluded coves suitable for an impromptu dip in the sea. We then climb to a viewpoint affording us extensive sea views including the 16Km Patara beach and extensive archaeological site of Patara, the Roman Capital of Lycia.
Overnight in standard pansiyon. Dinner included.
Trekking approx 8 or 20 Km. 3 or 8 Hours. 300 or 750 meters of ascent 750 meters of descent.
7.Day Patara to Kas
We start the day with a visit to the Ancient Patara Ruins than start today’s hike passing among the ruins and through the pines forests. Along the way we can see the ancient Roman aqueduct of Delikkemer, a real engineering feat that carried water all the way from the mountains down to the beach at Patara.
We will have the picnic lunch by the aqueduct ,Next head for nearby town of Kalkan. The town of Kalkan is one of the larger villages along our route, with a wide selection of restaurants.
Trekking approx. 14 km 4hours 650 meters of ascent. Overnight in 3* or 4* hotel Dinner included.