Lycian Way - Hiking along the coast
Self Guided Walking
Experience Turkey’s immensely beautiful nature while hiking along the west coast of Lycia. From the uninhabited and natural 12 km long beach in Patara, through the high alpine paths that offer you some of the most fantastic views imaginable, over the coast and the majestic peaks of the Taurus Mountains that touch the sky with their 3000 meters. You will walk through pine forests and olive groves and over ancient aqueducts, exploring the Lycian ruins.
Highlights:
♦ Mt. Tahtali - also known as Lycian Olympus, home of the gods
♦ Cape Gelidonya - the site of late Bronze Age shipwreck that led to the development of the field of nautical archaeology
♦ Göynük - a town of great historical interest with hundreds of Ottoman period houses, mosques, tombs and Turkish baths
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival
Arrival to Antalya and transfer to Adrasan. You can use the rest of the day for a walk on the beach or a swim at the beach.
Day 2. Lighthouse Gelidonya
One of the most beautiful hiking sections of the Lycian Way is scheduled during the very first day of the program. Splendid views can be enjoyed from Gelidonia lighthouse to the Chelidonia Islands (Beşadalar). Afterwards you reach your hotel while catching glances of the sea through the pine forests.
about 6h, distance: 16 km, denivelation: 750 m, 790 m
Day 3. Adrasan - The Ancient City of Olympos
Today your hike begins at the hotel. After a 20 minute walk along the seafront you will reach the entry point of the Lycian Way. An old trade path leads you through pine forests to a 700 m. high saddle. On the other side you are going to descend through laurel and strawberry trees to Olympos.
about 6h, distance: 17 km, denivelation: 800 m, 800 m
Day 4. Passing lonely bays with views to Mt. Tahtali
Today you will enjoy a tour that offers you both coastal scenery and deep forest landscapes. The first path takes you along the beautiful coast with two small beaches that were once a mine bay where the remains of a chromium mine can be found. Then your route goes inland through pine forests up a forest road to the main road at Ulupınar where the walk ends at 530 m. Transfer to Beycik and overnight at the hotel.
about 5h, distance: 13 km, denivelation: 750 m, 400 m
Day 5. Mt. Tahtali (Olympos)
In the Shadow of Mt. Olympos you will climb to the highest point of this week’s hiking up to the 1850 m tall Mt. Tahtalı. A beautiful path winds its way up to Mt. Tahtalı where gigantic cedar trees stand tall. While you wander through a fragrant cedar forest you can enjoy the magnificent view from the terrace over the valley and the sea. The walk ends in the mountain village Yaylakuzdere where you will be picked up.
about 6h, distance: 15 km, denivelation: 1100 m, 1100 m
Day 6. Ovacik
Today’s route will have you passing by plantations to a creek bed, then mountain villages and back to the hotel. This tour is not on the official Lycian way however it's worth checking out because it gives you an opportunity to see the idyllic mountain villages and mighty mountains of the Taurus range.
about 4h, distance: 11 km, denivelation: 450 m, 400 m
Day 7. Ovacik - Göynük
The hiking program starts and ends with some of the most beautiful hiking parts of the Lycian Way. You walk directly from your hotel in Ovacik and you pass the Göynük Mountain Village and courtyards through to the path in the Göynük Canyon. After crossing the river your forest walk begins along an old trade route. The walk will finish at the end of the Goynuk Canyon. After that you will walk to your accommodation in Göynük.
about 6h, distance: 17 km, denivelation: 500 m, 1300 m
Day 8. Departure
Transfer to the airport in Antalya or the hotel if you decide to extend your stay.