Lycian Way
Lycia is the ancient name for Turkey‘s Tekke peninsula, which juts into the Mediterranean on the south coast. Mountains rise steeply from tiny bays along the coast, creating beautiful views for walkers on their wooded slopes. The Lycian Way was established ten years ago. It is a 316-mile marked path around the coast of Lycia, from Fethiye to Antalya. The route is easier at the start near Ferthiye and becomes more difficult as it progresses, with some hefty ascents and descents.
Whether you tackle the whole route or just a small part, it is spectacular way to spend a few days. You can expect to see the ruins of lost Lycian cities, quaint old houses in remote spots, and the forests, rocks, and blue Mediterranean Sea sparkling beyond. Highlights include the 7-mile beach at Patara, views of mountains like Baba Dagi, and gasp-worthy vistas over the coast at Kas and Kalkan. The trail is marked with red-and-white paint every 328 feet to the standards of the European Grande Randonnee paths.
The best times to explore this beautiful trail are in the spring or fall. You can stay in one of the many simple pensions or small hotels along much of the trail, but in places it may be easier to stay in a village house or simply camp out in the wild. Location: Fethiye to Antalya, Turkey.
