Bucket list experience:
Mediterranean Region, Turkey
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.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >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
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
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
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.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Fethiye
€848 | Rating 5 / 5 [9 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
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:
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:
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:
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, 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.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
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
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
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..
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
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
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
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
