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Lycia: Mountain and Sea
From the mountains to the lighthouse
Back to RoutesTravellers Blog
Walk the mountains and coast of Lycia
Thursday 2nd May | Posted by On Foot Staff
view articleAt a glance
6 nights (5 days walking) - the full Mountain-to-Sea route. We recommend extra nights in Beycik, or on the beaches at Cirali and Adrasan - and why not an extra night or two in old Antalya at either end of the walk? See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
How much walking?
Full days: 6½-18km per day, 2-7¾ hrs walking
Using shortening options: No real shortening options, so be prepared for longish days.
From the mountains to the lighthouse
This route on the Lycian Way is for seasoned walkers and takes time in the mountains before arriving at the sea. The mountains in this area are pine-clad, so the walking is in dappled shade for much of the way, though with stupendous views around every corner.
The first night is spent in Antalya and following a transfer to the mountains the next day, it’s a short warm up walk to the remote mountain village of Yayla Kuzdere. The following morning, a majestic climb over the saddle below the highest mountain in the area (Tahtali) before your descent to the village of Beycik and, availability allowing, a night (or two?) at a boutique hotel complete with pool and sun-blessed terrace. If you take an extra day here you can walk to the ruins of Laodikeia, or take a taxi to explore magnificent Graeco-Roman Phaselis.
More? The next day takes you closer to the sea, views open up and lunch can be taken at a fine trout restaurant; the afternoon will find you marvelling at the eternal flames of the Chimaera – issuing forth from the rocks – before the mile-long sandy beach at your next accommodation – Cirali. Spend an extra night here if you like, to relax and explore the ruined city of Olympos, or if you are energetic and restless continue on – those last two days are lonely and thrilling, the last along the wild and beautiful coast of the empty peninsula of Kilidonya to the lighthouse.
PLEASE NOTE, this route can only be done by those who are able to use GPS files, either on your phone (with an app) or on a standalone device.
Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Mary and Fi
REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com.
TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Turkey, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency.
Route Highlights
- Everchanging scenery from mountain to sea
- Turkish home cooking and trout
- Great beaches at Cirali and Adrasan
- The flames of the Chimaera
- The lighthouse at Kilidonya
- The major archaeological sites of Phaselis (extra night needed) and Olympos
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Coast, Mountains, Remote, Villages and farms, Archaeology, Birdwatching, Food, History, Vegan friendly
Things you should know
- There are some very long walking days with big ascents and some tricky descents.
- You will encounter few other walkers until reaching Cirali.
We Recommend
Extra days, at Beycik to explore Phaselis (we can transfer you there and back) or walk to Laodikeia, to explore or just laze at Cirali or Adrasan, and/or to get lost in the old town in Antalya. Consider also staying in Istanbul for a few nights at the beginning or end.
Food and drink
Turkey is about vegetables, and its cuisine is an example of what can be done with imagination and spices. Vegan and vegetarian walkers need have no fear of going hungry, or not eating top quality vegan dishes – also the normal fare for most Turks. As a Muslim country, lamb, poultry and fish are also high on the agenda, and the outside grill is always in use. Find out more in our Travellers Blog here.
Alcohol is also available, with good local beer and Turkish wine too, though it is taxed quite heavily. Tea drinkers will also be delighted.
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: No real shortening options, so be prepared for longish days.
PLEASE NOTE, this route can only be done by those who are able to use GPS files, either on your phone (with an app) or on a stand-alone device. Ask On Foot for details.
Generally good paths with some stony sections. Some light scrambling. Sections of sustained uphill. Waymarking good on the whole, but see note re GPS being required.
Highest point on route: 1,800m.
Medium-hard: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 650m per day (300m-1000m).
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: Some tricky paths and high cliff walking over scree slopes on final two days. Not suitable for the severely acrophobic.
On Foot Holidays Companion app available from 2025, for GPS navigation/mapping and all other documentation and advice. Separate GPX files for your own device also available. Use of GPS navigation is mandatory for the complete route.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: May, September, October
Other possible months: Late April, June, July, August, November
In early season there can be snow on the hills (scenic, but makes navigation difficult) so our Lycian route can only be tried from late April onwards and even then GPS is recommended in case snow is obscuring waymarks. Later in May is the best time to walk, after which it can get a little hot for some. The advantage of going in September and October is the warmth of the Mediterranean, though the landscape will have dried out somewhat. Early November is possible too although the days are short, you may be the only ones there and the hotels are beginning to close.
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Temperature and rainfall chart for Kemer
Itinerary
Day 2 - Gedelme to Yayla Kuzdere
Following your transfer into the mountains, the afternoon’s walk is short and gentle, climbing up a good track with ever-more-majestic scenery to the tiny settlement of Yayla Kuzdere, an oasis of green amid the starkness of the mountains. (Easy: 2 hrs walking (allow 2¾ hrs), 6½ km (4 miles), CUSs 300m)
Day 3 - Yayla Kuzdere to Beycik
A glorious, quite demanding day, which takes you up into the mountains on pine needle floored paths to a lonely farm on the saddle below Tahtali Dag (Olympos), before plunging down to the mountain resort of Beycik. (Hard: 7 hrs walking (allow 9¼ hrs), 14 km (9 miles), CUSs 1000m)
Option
Optional Extra Day. If time permits, an extra night should be spent here. Take the opportunity of taxiing down to explore the ruined coastal city of Graeco-Roman Phaselis, do some local free walking to explore the remains of Laodikeia, or just relax around the pool.
Day 4 - Beycik to Çıralı
Another great day, with a gentle descent this morning through pine woods and along an exposed track, though rewarded with views, to Ulupinar and possibly s ahsort break.Your afternoon is down a pretty valley, before rising sharply to crest a saddle and your first glimpse of flames issuing forth from the soil. A tricky descent (loose underfoot) is rewarded by the true Chimaera – an expanse of open rock seemingly the aftermath of last night’s mass barbecue but in fact a natural eruption of eternal flame. You arrive finally at the huge beach of Çıralı, and your next night’s stay a moment from the sea. (Easy-medium: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 16 km (10 miles), CUSs 300m)
Day 5 - Cirali to Adrasan
A beautiful walk. Starting with a morning’s beach walk past Olympos and a stiff climb through Arbutus (strawberry tree) woods, the afternoon will take you from high pastures down through pine and deciduous woods on a pretty and winding path. The walk ends with a stroll along the river bank to your hotel for the night. (Medium-hard: 7¾ hrs walking (allow 10¼ hrs), 15¾ km (10 miles), CUSs 750m)
Day 6 - Adrasan to the Lighthouse
Enjoy the wildest part of your journey which has been saved for your last walking day. From the beach at Adrasan, the route climbs up a pretty path to a pass. From there it tracks the sea along a dramatic coastline, eventually arriving at the lighthouse of Kilidonya. Your taxi will collect you close to Melanippe Beach to take you back to your Adrasan hotel (or directly to our Antalya hotel if you have an early flight the next day or would like to spend a night exploring the old city). (Medium-hard: 7½ hrs walking (allow 10 hrs), 18 km (11½ miles), CUSs 875m; shorter option with lift – 6½ hrs walking (allow 8¾ hrs), 14½ km (9 miles), CUSs 760m).
Option
Thinking of spending some more time in Turkey? Why not spend a night or two in Antalya, or take one of many daily flights to Istanbul to explore this fascinating city. Stay in one of our favourite Sultanahmet hotels just a few minutes' walk from the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Aghia Sophia.
Departure day
Depart hotel by taxi transfer to the airport
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best local airport is Antalya. Intercontinental flights use Istanbul (careful – there are two airports, Istanbul and Sabiha Gocken on the eastern side of the city) and then domestic flight to Antalya. Flights to Antalya from outside Turkey are not daily – please check airlines for days and times.
Flights through Istanbul (see two-airport warning above) are also possible and the connections to Antalya with Pegasus and/or Turkish Airlines are regular and usually good value.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
This route is not easily accessible by train, but then again the Man in Seat 61 writes: “Just remember that a London-Istanbul train journey is a 2,000 mile 3-day adventure, rediscovering some of the mystery, intrigue and romance of long-distance sleeping-car travel across Europe into the Balkans..” – tempted? Read more at www.seat61.com/Turkey.htm. From Istanbul to Antalya you can take a bus (12 hours minimum) or fly.
Getting to the start of the walk
The first hotel is in Antalya and the last in Adrasan. All flights met by taxi (day and night).
ANTALYA AIRPORT:
Outward: Taxi from Antalya airport or bus/train station to first hotel (30 minutes) included in the holiday price.
Return: Taxi from Adrasan hotel to Antalya airport or town (2 hours) included in the holiday price. If staying in Antalya, short pre-booked taxi to airport (supplement).
Full transfer advice is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like addtional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
A lovely little hotel in the heart of Antalya’s old city, wooden cabins in Enver’s garden, a beautiful village hotel with great food and a pool, wonderful bungalows set in an orange grove in Cirali and dinner at tables over the river in Adrasan. Varied and interesting, family run, all with ensuite bathrooms and very Turkish!
Night 2
Yayla Kuzdere – Turker Pansiyon (dinner, B&B)
Simple modern cabins in Enver's garden. Dine al fresco with gorgeous mountain views.
Night 3
Beycik – Konak Hotel (dinner, B&B)
New boutique hotel in the middle of Beycik, just behind the mosque. Swimming pool, garden and restaurant.
Night 3 (Upgrade)
Beycik – Olympos Mountain Lodge (dinner, B&B)
Comfortable and spacious rooms at this quiet, rural hotel. Attractive grounds with spectacular views and a pool.
Night 5 & 6
Adrasan – Arikanda River Hotel (dinner, B&B)
Simple but clean hotel. All rooms have a balcony overlooking the river. Excellent restaurant on tables over the shallow-flowing river.
Antalya and Istanbul
Prices
Total 6 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 5 picnics, 5 evening meals, transfer from Melanippe Beach back to Adrasan, taxi from/to airport, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
Also included: On Foot Holidays Companion app (from 2025), providing navigation/mapping and digital version of the Walkers’ Pack as above. Separate GPX files for your own device also available. If choosing to walk with app only (no printed materials): Discount of £40 per pack (based on one pack per room) from 2025.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £150
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £270*
Maximum party size: 10
*Please note that the holiday price includes taxi transfers from and back to Antalya, as well as luggage transfer between accommodations. The airport transfers are expensive, and impact particularly on solo travellers.
Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £70 per person
Add Ons
Extra night in Beycik (dinner bed and breakfast): Contact On Foot – price varies seasonally
Extra nights available elsewhere on route: Contact On Foot for suggestions, details and prices
Nights in Antalya: Contact On Foot – price varies seasonally
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)
Travellers Blog
Walk the mountains and coast of Lycia
Thursday 2nd May | Posted by On Foot Staff
view articleOur local team
Kate Clow
Kate Clow is the author of "The Lycian Way", the definitive guide to the long distance walk she created herself, with the help of the people of the region of Antalya, which she has made her home for more than 20 years. She is a keen botanist and student of the history of the Middle East.