The Lycian Way, parts of which were used by the Lycians as routes between their cities and ports, was conceived by Kate Clow, a British expatriate. The trail was opened in 1999.[3][2] The Garanti Bank sponsored the waymarking, which was carried out by volunteers, organized by Clow.[2]
Trail
Map of the Lycian Way
The Lycian Way, named after the Lycian civilization that ruled in this region,[2] is over 760 km (470 mi) in length, stretching from Hisarönü (Ovacık) in the Fethiye district of Muğla in the west to Geyikbayırı in the Konyaaltı district of Antalya Province in the east. The long-distance trail is waymarked after the French Grande Randonnée special system, and the intersections are marked with yellow directional signs.[1][5] The trails are marked on both sides of rocks and tree trunks at every 50 m (160 ft), and the dirt roads at about 100 m (330 ft) along the route, especially at places like forks or crossroads, with signs of a white stripe above a red stripe. Red-cross marks indicate that the cross-marked route should not be entered. The signs are periodically renewed by volunteers.[5]
Some parts of the Lycian Way are suitable for trail riding with mountain bikes. In some places, experienced downhill and single-track enthusiasts can pass the entire track by carrying the bike on the back. However, it is also possible to try the bicycle route, which is partly on the Lycian Way and on parallel side roads, by using alternative forest and village roads.[5]
Clow wrote a guidebook[3] in which the characteristics of the trail, such as the width of the path, the kinds of waymarks, and the distance and hiking time of the stages, are described. The history and natural surroundings are also described. The book also has detailed trail maps, descriptions of the sections and information about villages en-route The latest edition (2022) includes several extensions to the trail, including the St Nicholas Ways route network in the hills above Demre, and an alternative route, the Lyra Way, around Mt Olympos.[2]
The trail is characterized by a mixture of different views and walking experiences as the trail travels through the mountainous coast.[4] The region is characterized by strawberry trees, pine trees and carobs in lower regions.[4] The higher regions have cedars and junipers.[4]
Climate
The Lycian Way during the summer
The region has hot, dry summers and mild winters with low annual rainfall due to the prevailing Mediterranean climate. The hiking season is long; however, the best time is the spring season, when the hills are still snow covered and the landscape is covered with flowers. The months of October and November in the autumn season also offer enjoyable hiking as the heat and humidity decrease gradually. At higher elevations and on the mountain peaks, weather reminiscent of all four seasons can be experienced in one day.[5] Low-elevation areas are quite hot for hiking activity in mid-May and mid-September. Rain and storms can be experienced in December and January. From January to early April, there is usually snow at elevations over 1,500 m (4,900 ft). Between November and February, downpours can occur.[5]
Equipment
The recommended equipment required for hiking in the Lycian Way consists of soft-soled, ankle-grasping, breathable hiking boots, quick-drying pants and socks, moisture-wicking fabric shirts, headgear, cheesecloth for covering the neck, raincoat, spare clothes and underwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a backpack. It is also useful to have a swimsuit and towel.[5]
Other useful equipment includes compass, trail map, whistle, pocket knife, headlight, camera, lighter, spare battery, a small first-aid kit, and a mobile phone.[5]
Inland route – Ulupınar, Beycik, Yukari Beycik, pass over Tahtalı Dağı at 1800m, Çukuryayla, Yayla Kuzdere, Gedelme, Goynuk Yaylasi, where it joins the coastal trail.
the Lyra Way - a difficult variation on the inland route - which leaves the route above at Beycik, circles Tahtalı on the north side, and rejoins the route at Çukuryayla.
Places of interest along the trail include: Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Faralya, Kabak Bay, Cennet Bay, Korsan Bay, Letoon (historical capital of the Lycian region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Seydikemer), Sidyma, Bel, Gavurağılı, Letoon, Kınık (Xanthos), Akbel, Gelemiş village and ruins of Patara (the Lycian capital), Kalkan, Sarıbelen, Gökçeören, Kaş (Antiphellos), Üçağız, Kale, Demre (Myra), Kumluca, Belören, Zeytin and Alakilise, İncegeriş Hill (1,811 m (5,942 ft) AMSL), Belos, Finike, Kumluca, Mavikent, Karaöz, the lighthouse of Cape Gelidonya (the southernmost point of Lycia), Adrasan, Olympos, Çıralı and Yanartaş (Chimaera).[3][7]
The starting points of the Lycian Way can be reached from abroad from Dalaman Airport or Antalya Airport. Intercity coaches and local buses are available for transportation to the starting points.[2][5]
Lodging is offered in hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast suitable for all budgets in locations[2] such as Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Faralya, Kabak Bay, Patara, Kalkan, Kaş, Kekova, Demre, Finike, Adrasan, Olympos, Çıralı, Tekirova, Çamyuva, Kemer, and Göynük. In some villages along the route, additional accommodation options have emerged in recent years by using traditional village houses as B&B. Natural camping sites and camping facilities are also available on the route. Campsites in Kabak Bay, Patara, Özlen Çay, Sıcak Adası, Andriake (Çayağzı Port), Olympos, Çıralı, and Göynük are recommended.[5]
Plans
As of 2022, the Antalya Provincial Tourism Directorate has agreed with the Culture Routes Society to renew the signposts. The guidebook was reissued in English in late 2022, and will be reissued in Turkish in 2023. The complete route has been updated on OSM (OpenStreetMap), so any wayfinding application which uses OSMmaps shows the course of the route, water and accommodation points and other useful information. Suitable applications include Gaia, Locus, Maps.me.
