THE LYCIAN WAY

The Lycian Way (Likya Yolu in Turkish) is a 300-mile walk along the coastline, from Fethiye to Antalya. It is marked by a red and white striped logo and combines several historical routes used by the Lycian people.

It was researched, designed and waymarked by British amateur historian, Kate Clow in 1999 and became Turkey’s first long-distance walking route.

The Lycian Way will take you through rocky terrain, deserted beaches, pine forests, mountain peaks and ancient ruins. You’ll pass through quaint Turkish villages, meet local Turkish people, eat delicious food, and have the opportunity to swim in the turquoise sea. The path is mostly over limestone and can often hard and stony underfoot.

The Lycian Way is graded as “medium to hard“. It is not a level walk, having many ascents and descents as it approaches and veers away from the sea. The walk is a little easier at the starting point, near Fethiye, but gets more difficult as it progresses.

The path will take you through Patara, Kalkan, Kaş, Myra, Finike, Adrasan, Olympos, Cirali and Tekirova, where you can stay in pensions or hotels. Independent hikers will also find plenty of wildly beautiful camping spots along the way.

• The slopes of Babadağ
• A stunning descent to Faralya, above the cliffs of Butterfly Valley
• The 12km long beach at Patara
• Spectacular views over the coast, from above Kaş and Kalkan
• The castle, harbour and sunken ruins at Ucagiz
• The church of the Angel Gabriel in the hills above Myra
• A ridge-top walk to Finike
• The lighthouse at Cape Gelidonia
• Climbing Mount Olympos
• The canyon at Goynuk
• The ruins of hidden Lycian cities

If you want to attempt this epic 300-mile journey, it is recommended to do so in either spring or autumn. Happy hiking!