Lycian Way Trek

Highlights of the Lycian Way

Trek Information

Videos:

Lycian Way and Yacht Cruise movie

Mt Olympos, Roman ruins, walks and ascent

Lycian Way Trek
8 days Grade B/C
Partly Vehicle Supported
This trip is available as a private trip or as a scheduled trip
(see Dates and Prices)
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The trek is centred around Mt Olympos (Tahtali), mainly following the Lycian Way and taking in some of the most beautiful beaches, coastal trails and mountain paths in Turkey. We will also visit the eternal flames of the Chimaera and the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos.
Christian Kollinsky is the main guide for the trip. He lives at the base of Mt Olympos and just a short distance from the EWP base in Beycik. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the flora and fauna will add greatly to the enjoyment and interest of the trip.
Accommodation will be in comfortable pansiyons (guest houses) or hotels. These vary in their facilities but they have all been chosen carefully for their friendliness, cleanliness, good food, basic essentials and their atmosphere.
Although you will need to carry a change of clothes, waterproofs and other personal items there will be an opportunity to have a clothing resupply and on one or two days a vehicle transfer for your equipment will be possible. We will be walking between 5 and 7 hours every day (including breaks) and the walking varies greatly from rough, steep paths to forest tracks, stream crossings and the occasional short sections of tarmac. Several days involve height changes of around 1000m and a reasonable fitness is required.

Programme

Arrive in Antalya. Private transfer in the afternoon to a forest lodge above Karaoz (116km, 2h) to the southeast of the small provincial town of Kumluca. Short walk in the pine woods surrounding the lodge to stretch your legs after the long journey.
Short transfer to the starting point of the first walk on the Adrasan Peninsula. We hike along a pleasant forested trail through fine coastal scenery passing bays and Roman ruins to reach the beautifully situated Gelidonia lighthouse. We climb a ridge with good views over the peninsula with its surrounding islands. Continue through woods to Adrasan, where we stay in a comfortable pension. 5-6 hours walking, 500m of ascents.
North of Adrasan there is a wild stretch of coastline with many remote bays, some only accesible by boat. We will explore the area landing on a remote beach. There will be several opportunities to swim and lunch will be served by the crew of the boat. Whoever wants to hike can walk along the coast trail from Adrasan and meet the boat group in one of the bays. Then return by boat to Adrasan. Walkers: 3 hours walking, 250m of ascents.
We leave Adrasan through orange groves and follow a wooded valley to yaylas overlooking Adrasan. We cross a mountain ridge and then descend along shady paths to the ruins of Olympos. This was once one of the most important cities of Lycia due to its strategic location on the coast. At various times it was under Greek and Roman control and for a period a pirate stronghold. There will be time to explore the ruins before continuing along the beach to Ciragli, where we stop for the night. Along the walk the guide will show you the many typical Mediterranean plants and herbs including numerous wild flowers. The route is rich in a wide variety of orchids best seen in May. Also of note on this walk is the altitude related sequence of vegetation. 6 hours walking, 700m of ascents.
In the morning a short hike takes us to Yanartas (the burning stones), where, according to Homer's legend, the Chimaera, a terrifying, fire-breathing monster is said to have lived. Higher up we pass a second set of flaming rocks before crossing a ridge. The trail now leads into a wooded valley. We cross and follow streams to Ulupinar, where several springs feed into a single river. We have lunch in one of the riverside restaurants that offer good trout dishes. In the afternoon we follow trails leading up through forests and meadows to the mountain village of Beycik where we stay overnight.
We leave the village behind and walk up to an idyllic mountain meadow to reach a steep mountain path through old mixed forests. Along the way, you can admire rare specimens of ancient cedar of Lebanon. Finally we reach a pass below the snow-covered* slopes of Tahtali (2365m). Time and weather permitting a side trip could be made to the western summit of Tahtali. A long beautiful descent past meadows and springs takes us to Yayla Kuzdere. Transfer to our next accommodation overlooking the sea and Göynük gorge.
* In spring and sometimes in autumn.
We leave the mountain yaylas (meadows) and descend forested paths and tracks passing rock towers, forest meadows and hamlets to reach the upper Göynük gorge. The trail gradually works its way down the gorge. The lower gorge becomes impassable and here we follow an ancient herders path taking us high above the gorge. After crossing a mountain ridge we walk down to the gorge entrance and a forest track that leads us to Göynük. A 30 minute drive takes us to our comfortable hotel in Antalya for the last night. This day's walk provides a superb ending to the trip. The walk through the gorge amongst mixed coniferous and decidous shady forests takes us through some beautiful scenery along fine trails where there is a profusion of colours and flowers including carpets of cyclamen in autumn and orchids in spring. There are two stream crossings that in high water would mean getting your feet wet, it may be useful to have sandals and trekking poles for these sections.
Free time in Antalya with opportunities to walk around the beautiful old town, buy souvenirs or visit the museum. Transfer to airport.

The programme is available as a private trip all the year round, contact us for more details. Or join one of our scheduled trip departure dates.

Prices:
Included: