no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 26 January, 2023
Expert travel writer: Jeremy Seal

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.

Hike from Adrasan to Cirali
Experience

Hike from Adrasan to Cirali

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+ | Free | 7-8 hours

Website >
Overview >
Hike from Oludeniz to Karadere
Experience

Hike from Oludeniz to Karadere

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+ | Free | 4 days

Website >
Overview >
Hike from Ulupinar to Cirali
Experience

Hike from Ulupinar to Cirali

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+ | Free | 3 hours

Website >
Overview >
Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 1-30 days

Getting there & doing it

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.

When to do it

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.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Lycian Way Trekking Tour (7 Days)

Lycian Way Trekking Tour (7 Days)

Fethiye

Trekking Along the fantastic Lycian way and enjoy spectacular views, discover the Lycian Ancient Cities and Swimming opportunities at the en...

€848 | Rating 5 / 5 [9 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Beyaz Yunus Hotel

Oludeniz, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[3.2 miles]

Delightful retreat on a private bluff overlooking the sea, with seven bright and beautiful rooms and brilliantly attentive staff – just a ten-minute walk from Oludeniz Beach. Only children only 10+ years old permitted.

Official star rating:

Hillside Beach Club

Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[6.2 miles]

Family-friendly and classy holiday village in postcard-perfect setting, combining outstanding service and the full range of facilities to winning effect.

Official star rating:

Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotel

Kabak, Aegean Region, Turkey[9.5 miles]

A romantic and traditionally styled bolt hole, in idyllic grounds with views over the sea. For those who want the stunning Turkish scenery without the crowds.

Official star rating:

Turan Hill Lounge

Mugla, Aegean Region, Turkey[11.8 miles]

Idyllic back-to-nature forest camp with wonderful home-grown food, great woodland walks and a glorious beach just a few minutes’ walk away.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Turquoise Coast

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.

Website >
Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Oludeniz Beach

Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[3 miles]

The beach that launched a thousand brochure covers, Oludeniz combines a gorgeous swathe of sandy beach with a tranquil lagoon, backed by tamarisk trees and mountains.

Best for ages: Any | Free

Website >
Overview >

Paragliding off Babadag Mountain

Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[6 miles]

Among the world’s top tandem paragliding experiences with stupendous coastal views, take off from the peak of Babadag Mountain to land half an hour later on Olu Deniz’s famed beach.

Best for ages: 13+ | £90 | 30 mins

Twelve Islands boat tours

Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[6.5 miles]

Fun- and sun-filled boat tours to discover the beautiful scenery of Fethiye Bay, with the chance to swim and snorkel off unspoilt islands and tranquil coves.

Best for ages: 8+ | £20 | 6-9 hours

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Kaya ‘Ghost Village’

Kayakoy, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[4.8 miles]

A compellingly haunting ‘ghost town’, hidden in the mountains behind Oludeniz, providing moving insights into little-known aspects of modern Turkish history.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
Turkish ceramics on sale at the market
Experience

Fethiye Market

Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[5.8 miles]

Held on a Tuesday, stretching out along the banks of a dry river bed, this is a market for both locals and tourists, with excellent leatherware and ceramics that are far cheaper than in the town’s shops.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
Aerial view of the cove with bright blue waters and sand below
Experience

Butterfly Valley

Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[8.1 miles]

One of the most beautiful coves on the Lycian coast, Butterfly Valley is either accessible by boat from Oludeniz, or by an extremely vertiginous walk down from Faralya. It’s not advised to try this hike without a guide and the right equipment.

Best for ages: Any | Free

Website >
Overview >
Cliffside view with greenery and the blue sea visible down below
Experience

Walk to the Monastery of Afkule

Kayakoy, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[9.3 miles]

Afkule, which translates as ‘Tower of Forgiveness’, is an abandoned monastery in a remote and beautiful cliffside location, near Kayakoy. It’s a 20-minute walk through pine trees from the end of the dirt track – worth it to see the former monks’ cells, a cistern and lovely views over the sea.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 20 mins

Website >
Overview >