Hike the Lycian Way “Central: Kaş to Demre/Finike”

Description

This is a draft program designed to be customized based on your preferences. We provide a detailed itinerary, including the names of accommodations, locals, and lunch spots, to ensure clarity and comfort during your journey. Additionally, we offer day-by-day GPS tracks to help you navigate easily and stay on track throughout the trip.

Please share your proposed number of days, proposed dates, number of participants, and whether you prefer a guided or self-guided option.

Day 1: Transfer to Kaş

Central section of Lycian Way begins from Kas. Depending on your arrival, we can organize a hike or you may explore this charming coastal town, filled with great dining options, beaches and ancient theatre. Dinner on the first night isn’t included in the program, giving you the flexibility to choose what suits you best. Your first night’s accommodation will be in Kaş. Throughout the program, your main luggage will be transferred for you, so you’ll only need to carry a small daily backpack during hikes.

Depending on where you’re coming either Dalaman or Antalya Airports or Kaş Bus Station we may organise a private transfer or advise transfer options. Feel free to ask.

Day 2: Kaş – Sısla (15 km)

Your adventure begins directly from your hotel in Kaş. You’ll hike 15 km through scenic spots like Limanağzı and Ufakdere, enjoying spectacular sea views along the way. Lunch will be on the trail, and at the end of the day, you’ll reach Üzümlü Pier (Sısla), where dinner and your accommodation await. Don’t forget to pack your swimwear—there might be an opportunity to swim at a secluded beach depending on weather conditions.

Day 3: Kılınçlı – Üçağız (15 km)

Hiking day begins from Kılınçlı (Apollonia) after half an hour transfer. Being a long and dirt road walk we suggest to omit Sısla-Kılınçlı section which is 6 km. long and takes 3 hrs. to Kılınçlı. You may prefer to walk or take a transfer which is included in program.

From Kılınclı to Aperlai, where you’ll explore ancient ruins before heading to Ucagiz. You have another option available where you can get on the boat from a pier on your way to Ucagiz which is the famous boat tour including lunch and a swimming break, along with a chance to see the famous sunken city of Kekova and take you to Ucagiz. Even you hike or get on the boat your day will end in Ucagiz, your dinner and your accommodation spot for today. Lunch packs will be prepared by your pension as you have no chance for a local lunch.

Day 4: Üçağiz – Cayagzi (15 km.)

Your hike from Üçağız will follow the coastline and end at Çayağzı Beach. Along the way, you’ll pass through the expansive plains behind Kaleköy/Ancient site of Simena and continue via Gökkaya locality and outskirts of Kapaklı village before reaching Çayağzı. There are spots along the route where you can take a refreshing swim, and we’ll provide details about these in the full itinerary.

Çayağzı was home to Andriake, one of the largest ports of ancient Lycia. If the campsite at Andriake is open, you can take a lunch break, snack and refreshment. If time allows, we can organize visits to the Lycian Civilisation Museum, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church. If the museums are closed, you may have the opportunity to visit them on a later day during the program.

You’ll be picked up from Cayagzi for museums or your accommodation, which is a family run pension cooking lovely local foods.

Day 5: Kapakli – Ancient site of Hoyran – Divle Sinkhole – Davazlar (12 km)

The following two days are parts of Lycian Way and not offered in many of the itineraries, but these are hidden gems worth exploring. Begin your hike from your pension, where you’ll be given your lunch packs as well. 

The initial ascent from Kapaklı to Hoyran is the challenging part of the entire route. While the ancient path has been cleared, it may occasionally be obstructed by bushes, but it remains walkable. In Hoyran, we recommend you to explore this beautiful ancient city, which has been quietly resting for thousands of years. After leaving Hoyran, route becomes easier as it takes you through village and agricultural lands on your way to Divle. In Divle, you’ll discover a fascinating sinkhole formed thousands of years ago, with surprising contents inside. From Divle, you will descend to Davazlar Village, where a vehicle will be ready to transfer you back to your guesthouse in Kapaklı. The transfer will take approximately 20 minutes.

Day 6: Davazlar – Trysa – Egridere Valley (11 km)

We will take you back to Davazlar, where you will continue your hike from the Hisar locality toward the ancient settlement of Trysa. We highly recommend visit Trysa’s summit to see the monumental heroon (tomb) where there is a waymarked path available. The heroon’s friezes, depicting scenes from the Amazon warriors to the Trojan War, were taken to Vienna by Austrian archaeologists in the 1850s. Due to a lack of space at the Vienna Archaeological Museum, they are not exhibited. This is the region’s highest peak, a spot not to be missed. After Trysa, you will walk through an enchanting and serene old oak forest, passing through Çakalbayat locality and then descending inside the ancient Eğridere Valley to Kapaklı. To save time, our transfer vehicle will pick you up at the end to Egridere Valley, based on your arrival time. After your hike, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Lycian Civilization Museum, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church. Your accommodation will be in Kapaklı. You can order whatever you’d like for dinner—you’re part of the family now!

Day 7: Beloren – Alakilise – Turant – Beloren (15 km)

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the Belören village via Demre, a less-travelled part of the Lycian Way. This section, part of the Lycian Way’s Demre-Finike route, will take you into the mountains. You won’t say, “I didn’t hike here”. You’ll walk the off-the-beaten-path Belören-Alakilise route, part of the Lycian Way. After a lunch break (to be provided by your pension) at Alakilise, you’ll continue along a unique trail, passing by an ancient settlement of Turant where you are able to see one of the biggest sarcophagus found in Antalya before returning to Belören. Accommodation will be in Kapaklı your final night here.

Day 8: Alakilise – Yatıkardic – Belos – Finike (20 km)

A long but rewarding hike through mountains watching pictiorque views of Kekova and Eastern sections of Lycia.  

Bir gün önce yürüdüğünüz Alakilise’ye sabah erken saatlerde transfer olacaksınız ve yürüyünüz buradan başlayacak. Alakilise’den sert ve dik bir çıkış ile Kırkmerdiven mevkisine ulaşacaksınız. Dağ sırtları boyuna yapacağınız yürüyüşün ardından yerel halkın yazın konaklamak için geldiği Yatıkardıç mevkisine ulaşacak, ardından Belos antik yerleşimni üzerinden Finike’ye ineceksiniz. 

Bu challenging ama bir o kadar da güzel yürüyüşü tamamlamanız için sabah çok erken yola çıkmanız gerekiyor. Son gece konaklamanız Finike’de olacak.

A long but rewarding hike through the mountains, offering picturesque views of Kekova and the eastern sections of Lycia.

The day begins with an early morning transfer to Alakilise, starting point of your hike. You have a steep and challenging ascent to Kırkmerdiven locality. Trail continues along mountain ridges, leading to Yatıkardıç Plateau, a summer settlement for local villagers. From Yatıkardıç, you’ll descend to Finike, passing through the ancient site of Belos along the way. This challenging yet stunning hike requires an early start to end the day in Finike. Your final night’s accommodation will be in Finike.

Day 9: Departure (Finike to Antalya or Dalaman Airport)

Check out after breakfast and transfer to Antalya or Dalaman Airports according to your flight time. Spend any remaining time exploring the coastal town of Finike. Antalya Airport is closer to Finike, so for this program you may arrive to Dalaman Airport and then return from Antalya Airport if this is possible. If not, we will organise your transfers according to your arrival or departure spots.

Participation Limitations: To ensure a comfortable and efficient experience, the number of participants is limited. Please consider this when planning your trip.

Pre-Booking Options: Pre-booking is available for participants arriving before or after the program dates to help with accommodation and logistics.

Arrival and Departure Information: We recommend sharing your arrival and departure details (dates and times) with our team in advance. This information is necessary to arrange transfers to the city center or airport.

Optional Transfers: For participants who wish to stop walking at a certain point, optional transfers can be arranged at a suitable location. Please note that this incurs an additional cost to be covered by the participant.

Clothing and Equipment: A detailed list of mandatory and optional clothing and equipment will be provided separately before the program.

Health Conditions: Participants with allergies or chronic conditions are required to inform our team during registration to ensure proper precautions are taken. This activity is not recommended for individuals with conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, rheumatism, or epilepsy, as it may be difficult to manage emergencies in nature. Please consult with our team in advance if you have concerns.

Route and Weather Conditions: Mandatory route changes may occur due to weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong winds, or storms. Final decisions will be made by the guide, and participants are expected to comply with these changes, including modifications to boat tours.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Due to the limited availability of accommodations in local and remote areas. Many of the lodgings we work with are small, family-run businesses with only a few rooms, making it difficult to cancel or rebook. To secure your spot, a deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable, except in cases of force majeure. However, if the program is canceled by us, the full pre-payment will be refunded.

All programs are conducted by TUREB-licensed guides and arranged by TÜRSAB-certified agency Globe Outdoors Travel (TÜRSAB Document No. A-17542)