COVID cancelled our lives and we cannot travel between countries. I am a traveller and I am stuck in my hometown, in Turkey right now. But I can travel in the country by taking the necessary precautions for a pandemic.

I would like to give you information about the Lycian Way, one of the best hiking routes in Turkey. I will also share some tips that I find important. I won’t give you a walking route because you can find plenty on the internet. I will share with you some info that you cannot find easily. 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO WALK THE LYCIAN WAY?

The last time I walked the Lycian Way was about 2 years ago. It was not a long route, I walked about 20 km in two days. I haven’t been able to complete the entire Lycian Way on a single route yet. I guess I don’t need to say that it is in my to do list, I want to do it before I die. If I don’t get corona, I’m planning to do that this season, in Autumn.

As I said there are a lot of information on the Internet about the Lycian Way and its routes, if you wish, you can follow the routes that are given or create your own route. I do not want to give routes or hiking tip because everyone has different health status or physical conditions, I recommend you to make your own hiking program according to your own pace.

I was active in sports while traveling, but after the pandemic I stopped exercising while I was staying at home, this is the biggest problem I have in my mind before going for hiking. What is my condition, and how hard should I go? Considering my laziness for the last 6 months, I planned a 31-day route and a couple of resting days for. I aim to take a maximum of 15 kg on me and estimate my total route as approximately 500 km. I aim to start the walk in Fethiye and end in Antalya.

WHAT ARE THE LYCIAN WAY BEST SECTIONS?

I will divide the route in two main parts: 

The first part: Fethiye Ölüdeniz, Kelebekler Vadisi, Ovacık köyü, Kabak Koyu, Dodurga, Sdyma Antik Kenti, Pınara Antik Kenti, Letoon Antik Kenti, Xanthos Antik kenti, Patara Plajı ve Patara Antik Kenti, Kalkan, and Sarıbelen köyü

The second part: Antiphellos Antik kenti, Kaş, Apollo Antik Kenti, Simena (Kaleköy), Demre, Myra Antik Kenti, Limyra Antik Kenti, Rhodiapolis Antik Kenti, Gagai Antik Kenti, Melanippe Antik Kenti, Finike, Gelidonya Burnu (Taşlık Burnu), Adrasan, Olympos, Çıralı, Faselis Antik Kenti and Geyikbayırı. 

I will sleep in a tent. There are also hostels and bungalow-style hotels along the walking route, if you book before you go, you will not have trouble finding rooms.

There are places with the best views on the Lycian Way, you can catch the sunset or sunrise. Faralya on Kelebekler Vadisi (Butterfly Valley)  is one of them.

It is difficult to find a clean water source at some places on the route. Especially in Demre. I recommend you to always take off with enough water. If you are planning to hike in autumn or spring, you have to get a waterproof raincoat that will not be resistant to heavy rain. Mediterranean storms can be tough especially in autumn. 

My last recommendation is camp in a place without a light source, fall asleep under the sky.

Good luck with the hiking.

Anıl Uzun.