Lycian Way hiking guide: route map, stages & where to stay

The Lycian Way is Turkey's first long-distance hiking trail, opened in 1999 along the southwestern coast of the Teke Peninsula. It runs from Ovacık, above Ölüdeniz near Fethiye, east to Geyikbayırı on the outskirts of Antalya. Most hikers complete it end-to-end over three to four weeks, though it is commonly walked as week-long sections.

Route

The trail follows the ancient territory of Lycia, mostly within sight of the Mediterranean. The western half is coastal and forested, with frequent descents to beaches and small fishing villages. The middle section pushes inland into the Bey Mountains, where stages climb above the sea and pass remote yayla settlements. The eastern half returns to the coast through Olympos and the ruins of Phaselis before finishing in the foothills near Antalya.

Surface is mostly stony footpath, old Roman road, and mule track. It is waymarked with red-and-white GR-style stripes throughout. The highest points sit just under 1,800 metres.

Highlights

• Butterfly Valley and Kabak — early stages with the trail's most photographed coastal cliffs
• Patara — long sandy beach and the ancient Lycian capital
• Kaş and Kalkan — small harbour towns useful for resupply and rest days
• Myra (Demre) — rock-cut tombs and the church of St Nicholas
• Olympos and Chimaera — ruined city beside the sea and the natural burning vents at Yanartaş
• Tahtalı Dağı — the trail passes the base of the 2,365 m peak with cable-car access to the summit
• Phaselis — Roman harbour ruins on the final approach to Antalya

When to go

Best seasons are mid-March through May and mid-September through November. Summer is unsuitable: temperatures regularly exceed 35°C with little shade on exposed sections, and water sources run low. Winter is walkable on lower coastal stages but high inland passes can hold snow into March.

Logistics

The trail is well supported by villages, pensions, and small shops, particularly in the western half. Wild camping is permitted in most areas. Water is available from village taps and seasonal springs, though hikers should carry capacity for at least one full day between sources on the mountain stages.

Most hikers walk west to east, starting from Ovacık and finishing at Geyikbayırı. Dalaman Airport is the closest airport for the western trailhead; Antalya Airport is closest for the eastern end. Frequent dolmuş (minibus) services connect the trail to coastal towns, making it straightforward to exit or rejoin at multiple points.

Difficulty

Moderate overall, but unrelenting in cumulative effort. The challenge is not technical — no scrambling or exposure beyond standard hill walking — but the rocky surface, repeated steep climbs, and Mediterranean heat make it physically demanding. Hikers should be comfortable with consecutive long days on uneven ground.

Navigation is straightforward where waymarks are fresh, but markings degrade in places. Carrying a GPS track is recommended.

History

The trail was researched and waymarked by Kate Clow, a British historian based in Turkey, and opened in 1999 as Turkey's first long-distance walking route. Most of its course follows pre-existing paths — Roman roads, Byzantine tracks, and shepherd routes — that have linked the coastal Lycian cities for over two thousand years.