As the summer heat fades along Türkiye's Mediterranean coast, hikers return to the Lycian Way, the country's first long-distance walking trail. Running along the coast of ancient Lycia between the Fethiye area and Antalya, it mixes Roman roads, mule tracks and old footpaths with sea views, pine forests and some of the most atmospheric ruins in the region.
When to go
The Culture Routes Society, which manages the trail, recommends spring (February to May) and autumn (September to November) for walking, warning that summer is too hot for long days on foot. Low-lying sections can still be very warm in mid-September, so October and November are often the most comfortable months, when heat and humidity ease. December and January tend to bring rain and storms.
The route
The trail was conceived and waymarked in 1999 by Kate Clow, a British-born amateur historian, as a way to identify and protect the region's old roads. Its western end lies near Ölüdeniz, about two hours from Dalaman Airport, and it finishes at Geyikbayırı near Antalya, from where daily buses run to the city. The society now describes the full route, including later extensions, as roughly 760 kilometres, taking about 35 days; older sources cite a shorter length of around 500-540 km.
Waymarking follows the European red-and-white stripe convention, painted on rocks and trees, with yellow signs at junctions. The terrain is often stony, with steep climbs between coast and mountains, and the trail is unsuitable for mountain bikes.
Highlights
Walkers pass about 25 remote historical sites. Early stages lead past Butterfly Valley and Kabak Bay; further east come Letoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xanthos and Patara, then Kalkan, Kaş and the sunken ruins around Kekova. Beyond lie Myra at Demre, Olympos, the eternal flames of Yanartaş (Chimaera) at Çıralı, and Phaselis. Patara and Phaselis charge admission: from April 2027, foreign visitors will pay €16 and €11 respectively.
Practical tips
Village houses, pensions and small hotels are available almost every night, except on three high-level sections where walkers need to camp and carry water. Public transport links most of the route, so it is easy to walk a few stages rather than the whole trail. Guidebooks and maps are sold through the Culture Routes Society, and several operators offer guided or self-guided trips.
Sources
- The Lycian Way – Culture Routes in Turkey
- Lycian Way – Wikipedia
- Türkiye museum fees 2027: new rates from April – FTNnews
Photo: Paul Roberts / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
