Hiking in Europe - Turkey

Considered one of the most scenic hiking routes in the world, the Lycian Way is a long-distance hiking trail in south-west Türkiye along the Mediterranean coastline.

Source: Oscar Sky
 

We all love a holiday; travelling somewhere new, taking in the sights, walking through bustling cities, and coming across a piece of history on every corner. Sometimes though, this can get exhausting; standing in line, competing with strangers for a few mere seconds of looking at a priceless artwork and being constantly jostled about in crowds. Our suggestion? Step off the worn cobblestones and into a hiking or running adventure along ancient trails, participate in local events, and experience a different side of a country that most tourists never see.

Country: Türkiye
Perfect for: Experienced trekkers, through hikers, multi-day hikers
Difficulty: Moderate to high
Events: Lycian Way Ultra Marathon

Beginning in Hisarönü (near Fethiye) and ending in Geyikbayiri (20km west of Antalya), trek along the some 760km’s of ancient hiking trail including Roman roads and mule trails which connect ruins from 19 ancient cities including Olympos, Patra, Letoon and Xanthos. Along the way you can see rock-cut tombs made by the Lycian people over 2,000 years ago, archaeological sites and the eternal flame of Chimera. 

The terrain is rocky with frequent exposed sections and rugged coastal paths as well as significant ascents and descents therefore making it most suitable for hikers with moderate trekking experience and physical fitness. There are several access points along the route with good public transport so you can select which sections you want to take on, but if you plan to walk the entire way allow 5 weeks including rest days to complete the 29 stages. 

When looking into the Lycian Way, the most discussed experiences are the local hospitality, culture and history. There are many villages along the route which offer water refill stations and rich Turkish culture as well as a mix of accommodation opportunities ranging from hotels to rooms provided by friendly locals. Commercial campsites are available however wild camping is also possible on land that isn’t private depending on the region you’re in. Where there is a risk of forest fires, local authorities have a ban in place for camping. 

The summer months are especially hot so while the trail is open year-round, it’s recommended to travel between February and May or September to November to avoid the weather extremes. 

During January the eastern sections are susceptible to snow so stay in the central or western part of the trail. Bonus, if hiking in spring, you can enjoy wild flowers in bloom. 
Take advantage of refill stations in villages when possible as there are few water sources along the trail and if travelling in May or September it can still be very hot, requiring you to carry more water.

Quick fact: If you’re wondering who the Lycian people are, they were an ancient people with their own culture, language, writing and architecture style before they were incorporated into Alexander the Great’s army and Lycia became a Roman province.

During this journey, you can experience panoramic views of the coast and pass through protected national parks like Olympos National Park and the Taurus Mountains. 
You can also hike up Tahtali Dagi (Mt Olympos), the 16km trip to the summit with 1,440m of elevation gain starts at Beycik village and is considered a difficult hike due to the steep climbs and rocky, technical sections. There is a cable car however which runs both ways so while of course you can push yourself to hike the entire way, you can also take a well-earned break at the summit and catch a lift back down or take a round trip ride to enjoy the views and save your legs for trekking. 

The Aladaglar National Park is in the Taurus mountains and hosts the most dramatic alpine section of the area with over 60 peaks above 3,000m. Aladaglar means Crimson Mountains, so named for the colour that the mountains take on during sunset. Along with these rugged peaks, there are also deep valleys and alpine lakes. The terrain is rocky rocks with rock trails often covered in rock, lined by rock. In addition to the rocks, there are very few water sources so if you’re planning on doing a multi-day hike, carry enough water for two days as well as purification tablets should you come across a source. While it’s not recommended to hike the Lycian Way in the summer months, it is the perfect time for hiking in Aladagar national park as the snow has usually melted around mid-June and conditions are often favourable up until the end of November. 

If you’re looking to push yourself, the Lycian Way Ultra Marathon runs in September offering 57km, 37km and 20km options but if you prefer to be in the mountains, the Antalya Ultra Marathon begins at the coast and finishes at the Saklikent Ski Resort.

Whether you’re looking to do an ultra marathon that runs from sand to snow or you want to take on the entirety of the trail or sections, we hope you have a wonderful time in Turkiye.