Travel bucket list idea:
Mediterranean Region, Turkey
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The Lycian Way – or Lykia Yolu – is a rugged and scenic hike through ancient Lycia’s epic coastlands from Fethiye to Antalya.
At around 540km in entirety, it takes 25-30 days to hike the whole trail. Thankfully, it’s readily enjoyed in manageable chunks – as day walks or in longer sections where overnight accommodation allows.
Some wonderful ancient sites – like Olympos, Patara, Sidyma and the Roman aqueduct at Delikkemer – lie on the route of the Lycian Way; visiting them provides a long day’s walking with fascinating archaeological punctuation points.
The waymarking can be intermittent by European standards, but the combination of magnificent landscapes littered with historically resonant ruins and the hospitality of the locals truly makes for exceptional, if often demanding, walking.
It’s a great way to immerse oneself in the rural life, history and culture of Mediterranean Turkey.
Cirali, Mediterranean Region, Turkey
A long but exhilarating day walk across the high pastures of Musa Dagi (Moses Mountain) before descending to the shoreside ruins of Olympos. Finish at Cirali, a charming sleepy resort with two lovely beaches.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 7-8 hours
Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey
This route, the Lycian Way’s stand-out stretch, offers 3- to 4-days’ exceptional hiking combining outstandingly dramatic scenery and golden beaches.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 4 days
Ulupinar, Mediterranean Region, Turkey
A popular 3-hour hike down through a wooded valley to Cirali beach, passing the famous Chimera flames at Olympos – thought they have been burning here for over 2,500 years. Cirali is a charming sleepy resort with two lovely beaches.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 3 hours
Despite the grand-sounding name, the ‘way’ is actually a stitched-together route of old roads, goat tracks, and paths; the route is waymarked, but some signs are difficult to spot. Facilities are also intermittent.
Independent walkers are better tackling established shorter day walks; if you want to hike for several days, or hike the entire route, sign up with an organised trekking operator where guides, accommodation and food are arranged. Some operators offer gulet-based Lycian Way tours, putting walkers ashore for cherry-picked day hikes and picking them up in the evening.
Kate Clow’s The Lycian Way is a helpful guide to plan your own trip and to take with you.
The Lycian Way is walkable all year round. Spring (March to May) or late autumn (late September until the end of November) is best, when conditions are dry and comparatively cool for walking. June to September is ferociously hot. Day walks on dry bright winter days can also be a joy.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Turquoise Coast, Turkey
Turkey’s beautiful Turquoise Coast offers an unbeatable mix of mountain-backed beaches, classical ruins and adventure activities, with superb food and delightful owner-run hotels.
