The Lycian Way is Turkey’s first long-distance footpath. Weaving it’s way along the coast between Fethiye and Antalya, the route passes along ancient footpaths, droving paths and forestry tracks, through some of Lycia’s most beautiful and unspoilt scenery. It passes rarely visited archeaological sites, remote farming communities, as well as many of the area’s coastal resorts. The whole route takes about 3 weeks, but you can easily walk smaller sections.
The Lycian Way is now joined by the St Paul Trail a second long-distance footpath.
Start Point: Fethiye/Oludeniz
Finish Point: west of Antalya
Length: 480 km
Highlights:
Butterfly valley near Oludeniz
Patara’s unspoilt beach and ruins
Lycian tombs at Xanthos
Cape Gelidonia and its lighthouse;
The eternal flame at Olympos
When to go: avoid the summer heat, so April-June and September-October are best.
Accommodation: The path passes through many coastal resorts and towns so there is plenty of accommodation.
Difficulty: Less remote than the St Paul Trail, but some of the higher sections are physically demanding. The Lycian Way is waymarked and signposted at regular intervals.
Further information:
A guidebook to The Lycian Way is available from good bookshops
Or visit : www.lycianway.com
Guided trips can be organised by Middle Earth Travel