The Lycian way leads from Fethiye to Hisarçandir (Antalya).
The 540 km long long-distance hiking trail "Lycian Way" (English: Lycian Way, Turkish: Likya Yolu) leads partly on ancient trade routes from nearby Fethiye to Hisarçandir west of Antalya. On the way through the coastal and rocky Lycia with fantastic views and natural scenarios, numerous archaeological zones such as Patara or Xanthos happens.
background
The Lycian Way is the oldest and most famous long-distance hiking trail in Turkey. In 1999 this was set up at the instigation of the British Kate Clow. She also designed the route. The route is based on a combination of ancient trade routes. The total of 540 km are spread over 29 daily routes. The success of the Lycian Way has now found many sequels like that St. Paul's Trail or the Carian way.
preparation
Formal
There are no access restrictions or controls on the Lycian Way. Therefore it is of course also possible to hike only parts of the path or in stages.
profile
Most of the path leads along the rocky coast. Nevertheless, smaller or larger sandy (e.g. Patara) or pebble beaches (e.g. Olympos (Lycia)). Directly behind the coast it becomes rocky and the first foothills of the Taurus can be found. Hikers can look forward to challenging mountain stages up to an altitude of 2365 meters. There is an alternative route for this highest point, but the 1000 meter mark is still exceeded several times. Most of the trails consist of small slopes and paths. In some cases, however, the path also leads along roads. However, these passages can be shortened by using a dolmuş (shared taxi).
The routes are generally marked in red and white. This is supported by green and yellow signposts at important points.
time
The best seasons are spring and autumn. It's too hot in summer and too volatile in winter.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is in Dalaman. From here it continues on the road. There are frequent bus connections with the airport. Usually you can be in Dalaman in 45 minutes at the most. Depending on the season, several Havaş buses run back and forth between the airport, 50 km away, and Fethiye (up to 10 times a day in the main season) [1]The whole thing costs about € 3.50. The Havaş buses stop at the bus station (Otogar). From here you can take the dolmuş to the starting point in the port or the Ölüdeniz bus to Hisarönü to the official starting point.
By bus
The Big Bus Station (Fethiye Otogar) In Fethiye is located just outside the city center at Taşyaka Mh .. Here buses run around the clock along the coast along the D400 Akyaka and Antalya. Also direct connections with Istanbul or Izmir are on offer. Drive to the center: here you have the option of using the dolmuş with the inscription Taşyaka / Karagözler or a taxi.
The Dolmuş bus station in Fethiye is also just outside the center. There are connections with Ölüdeniz, among others. This leads to the starting point of the Lycian way.
By car
If you arrive with your own car, you only need the D400 to and from Akyaka from or to Antalya drive. This carries out Fethiye. If you start from the airport in Dalaman, drive in the direction of Dalaman center on the D555 until you come to the D400 and turn right in the direction of Fethiye. If you want to enjoy the panorama of the bay of Fethiye a bit when you arrive, you should plan a little more time for a stopover on the way to Fethiye. In Fethiye first keep in the direction of the center and then in the direction of Ölüdeniz. You cross the village of Ovacık. At the end of this village there is a bus stop that also goes to the Montana Pine Resort Hotel. Here you can find the entrance to the Lycian way.
By boat
In Fethiye there are two marinas and a ferry connection with Rhodes. Hence is Fethiye an ideal port of arrival. An alternative could also be found in Kalkan
orientation
The Lycian Way is continuously marked in both directions. A red and white marker and erected cairns show the right way. Doubling shows the direction and a red cross warns of wrong turns. Signposts can be found in all villages along the Lycian Way. Due to the sometimes brisk construction activity along the way and the macchia that is rampant everywhere, some markings have disappeared. A GPS device can be very helpful.
Here we go...
Stage 1: Ovacık - Faralya (both Fethiye)
This tour takes you past panoramic views of Ölüdeniz Bay at the foot of Baba Dağı to the Butterfly Valley. If you still haven't had enough, you can also descend into the Butterfly Valley.
Detour stage 1: Kayaköy
Detour stage 1: Baba Dağı
Detour stage 1: Butterfly Valley
Only absolute professionals should not plan an extra day for this demanding detour. Here you have to climb 300 meters in altitude, partly in rock faces. The narrowest and steepest places are secured by ropes. But fitness and concentration are required. Instead, a swim stop and a cool drink in the bay beckon. More information at Butterfly Valley
Stage 2: Faralya - Alınça
Stage 3: Alınça - Bel
Stage 4: Bel - Gavurağılı
Stage 5: Gavurağılı - Xanthos
Stage 6: Xanthos - Akbel
Stage 7: Akbel - Patara
Stage 8: Patara - Kalkan
Stage 9: Kalkan - Sarıbelen
Stage 10: Sarıbelen - Gökçeören
Stage 11: Gökçeören - Çukurbağ
Stage 12: Çukurbağ - Cheese
Stage 13: Cheese - Kılıçlı
Stage 14: Kılıçlı - Üçağız
Stage 15: Üçağız - Demre
Stage 16: Demre - Finike
Stage 17: Finike - Karaoz
Stage 18: Karaöz - Adrasan
Stage 19: Adrasan - Çıralı
Stage 20: Çıralı - Ovacık
Stage 21: Ovacık - Göynük
Stage 22: Göynük - Hısarçandır
security
The main hiking guides for the Lycian Way point out that in emergencies it is better to always hike the trail in pairs at least. The dangers here come less or almost not from people (robberies or the like), but from the seclusion of larger passages, in which often no cellular network is accessible. Even if the path is walked regularly, especially during the season, it can take many hours before help can be called after an accident or other emergencies.
Especially in the hot months in midsummer, it is essential to measure the drinking water supply for the day's stage and keep it with you. Sometimes there are no shops or sources from which you can get supplies. The drinking water of many cisterns, if there is any at all along the way, is not drinkable without water treatment agents.
A GPS-assisted navigation device with a running time of at least 12 hours should be carried with you, as construction work, heavy vegetation, falling rocks and the like can mean that markings can no longer be seen or are incorrectly set.
Surefootedness is required on several short and a few longer sections of the route and in some places you need to be dizzy.
trips
literature
literature
There are currently two hiking guides for the Lycian Way: One is a paperback with the title "Turkey: Lycian Way" by Michael Hennemann in a German version, published by Conrad Stein Verlag, among others. On the Website of the publisher with the book description there is also the track of the entire trail to download as well as updates from readers on accommodation, the nature of the trail and other special features.
On the other hand there is the standard work "The Lycian Way" by Kate Clow. It is largely thanks to Kate Clow that the Lycian Way is developed and marketed in its walkable form today. The hiking guide contains precise directions, a lot of information on sights, places and sections of the route, as well as a map. Although the map is suitable for rough orientation, it should not be used alone due to inaccuracies, missing scales and missing coordinate grid.
cards
The range of cards on offer is also manageable. Since large-scale maps in Turkey are kept under lock and key by the military, there are correspondingly few derivations. On March 1st, 2015 the maps "Lycia East Hiking Map 1: 50,000" and "Lycia West Hiking Map 1: 50,000" were published (MapSite Verlag). Together, they cover the entire route of the Lycian Way and contain all the topographical features important for orientation as well as information on accommodation, supplies and sights. For some years now, there have also been three other maps (East - Middle - West) which are based on the old ones Soviet general staff maps based.
