The ancient Kingdom of Lycia occupied the territory of Turkey back in the 14th century BC. It was a part of the Persian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires and left its rich heritage to the next generation in the rocks of Taurus, where now a popular trail 540 kilometers long follows the path of the ancient Lycians.
The popular trekking route was named the Lycian Way by the famous English traveler Kate Clow, who first researched and waymarked it in 1999. Since then, many travelers from all over the country, and more recently from around the world, have tried to repeat her feat.
The picturesque Lycian Way stretches across Fethiye and Antalya. Some parts of the trail run in the mountains, some go down to the sea. In some places, the trail consists of ancient Roman roads and unknown mule paths. Still, one thing remains the same – it is about magnificent scenery wherever the route takes you, either to the high mountains or to the gorgeous beaches.
The Lycian Way is an officially registered marked route that is safe even for beginners. It is considered to take 30 days, although there are hikers who can do it faster and the ones who stop before the end. It is not worth competing, it is better to immerse into a magical atmosphere and enjoy every moment of being in the heart of nature.
The route starts in the Village Ovacik in the Fethiye district. The beginning of the trail is marked with an arch, then the route leads you to the top of Babadag Mountain, a favorite place among paragliders. Further, across the Butterfly valley and Kabak beach, you go down to Demre Valley and the ancient city of Myra, enjoying antic monuments and cedar groves on the way. You can also visit different antic cities, like the ruins of Aperlae and Apollonia, and the romantic city of Kas surrounded by pine wood. The trail passes from the turquoise mountain lake to the ruins of the medieval fortress and then leads you to the country’s oldest plane tree with more than 16 meters in circumference. And again, you go down to the scenic beaches of the Mediterranean Sea to wash away the road dust and quench your thirst with a cool ayran drink...
There are two historical settlements located not far from Patara beach – Letoon, a religious center of the Roman Empire, and the ancient city of Xanthos, the capital of Lycia, which is home to the Xanthian Obelisk and to the Lycian Acropolis, to the amphitheater and the royal palace, as well as to the Harpy Tomb.
The bravest tourists go climbing the Lycian Olympus Mountain, which is 2,366 meters high at its highest point. Fantastic views of the surrounded mountains, of the ancient city of Olympos, of the Cape Gelidonya with a lighthouse and the views of the fire-breathing Chimaera Mountain are opened from the top.
 | |