St. Paul's Trail - Hiking in the Toros Mountains
Self Guided Walking
St. Paul’s trail is loosely based around the route St Paul took when he made his first evangelizing expedition and is the second long-distance trekking route in Turkey. It stretches across the wild, rugged and majestic Taurus Mountains, reaching a height of 2,200m that gives you some magnificent views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. Your path will lead you through dramatic and varied scenery dense oak and pine forests and alpine landscapes. Over wide elevations you will reach traditional farms where you will be met by the locals with hospitality, and visit ancient ruins that serve as a reminder of the country’s glorious past. At the end of the trip you will reach Lake Eğirdir which is the third largest lake in Turkey and with its turquoise shimmering waters it lies at the foot of the mighty Barla Mountain.
Highlights:
♦ The Taurus Mountains - explore this massive mountain complex and enjoy the breathtaking views it offers
♦ Lake Eğirdir - the 4th largest and certainly one of the most beautiful lakes in Turkey
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival
Arrival to Antalya. Transfer to your accommodation in the old town of Antalya.
Day 2. Karabük
A short transfer takes you into the middle of the Taurus Mountains to the ancient village of Düzagac. Your path leads you through pinewoods towards the mighty mountain Bozburun (2.505 m). Afterwards you hike through cedar forests and with beautiful views to the pisidian ruin city Selge. Transfer to your accommodation to the village of Karabük where you stay twice.
Walking time: 5 hours
Day 3. Köprülü Canyon
Transfer back to Selge. Ancient Roman paths lead you through the bizzare rock landscape of the Köprülü Canyon National Park. Enjoy the wide views of the Taurus Mountains and the deep canyon of Köprülü Canyon, which will accompany you on your way back to Beşkonak.
Walking time: 5 ½ hours
Day 4. Çaltepe
A transfer takes you to Gövez. Through dense pine forests and rugged Taurus villages, you will be taken up to a viewpoint from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Köprülü canyon and the surrounding mountains! Walking on ancient pastoral trails, you will finish your hike in the Çaltepe village.
Walking time: 5 ½ hours
Day 5. Kasımlar
After transfer to the village of Kesme, you will pass through ancient Roman paths through a wild, rocky landscape. This is characterized by mountains, conical rock formations and canyons, which are almost 3,000 m high. In between are juniper forests and small, steep valleys. Again and again you can enjoy magnificent views of the mountain Sarp. Your hike ends in the mountain village Kasımlar.
Walking time: 5 hours
Day 6. Lake Eğirdir
Via forest roads and paths you hike in the alpine regions of the Taurus Mountains. From Tota, you will be transferred to the ancient Roman city of Adada, situated on a high plateau. After visiting the imperial temple, the theater and the agora, you continue by transfer to Eğirdir at the lake that bears the same name. You stay here twice.
Walking time: 4 ½ hours
Day 7. Kovada National Park
For the last hike you will be transferred to the village Sipahiler. From here you can enjoy a varied walk through the Kovada National Park. Through spruce and oak forests it continues on wide plateaus on which cattle and goats graze. You then descend into the Kovada valley while walking along old trade routes. From the village Serpil transfer back to Eğirdir.
Walking time: 5 hours
Day 8. Departure
Transfer to Antalya (2 1/2 hours) and return flight or extension in Eğirdir for further hikes on your own.