Lycian Way West Walking Tour | Fethiye to Kaş

Description

Walk the Lycian Way West – Fethiye to Kaş

The Lycian Way West follows the trail from the Fethiye and Ölüdeniz region towards Kaş, crossing the coastal and mountain landscapes of Faralya, Kabak, Alınca and Yediburunlar before continuing through the archaeological landscapes around Xanthos, Letoon and Patara.

OutdoorInTurkey offers the Western Lycian Way as both a guided and self-guided walking tour. Rather than following one fixed package, we adapt the journey to your travel plans. Your available walking days, preferred pace and required level of support help us shape the final itinerary.

The detailed day-by-day route is available in the tab “Program”

Why Walk the Lycian Way West?

The western section brings together many of the landscapes that define the Lycian Way: Mediterranean coastline, mountain paths, small settlements and the archaeological heritage of ancient Lycia. From the mountains above Ölüdeniz, the route gradually progresses east towards Patara and Kaş, with the character of the landscape changing along the way.

If this is your first time walking the Lycian Way, we generally recommend starting with the Western section. It gives you time to become familiar with the terrain and the rhythm of walking the trail, while shops, water sources and other practical services are available more frequently along many parts of the route than on some of the more remote sections further east.

It is also a good choice for travellers who want to combine walking with ancient sites, village landscapes and the Mediterranean coast without having to walk the entire Lycian Way.

Guided or Self-Guided Lycian Way West

You can walk the Western Lycian Way with a professional guide or travel independently with a self-guided arrangement.

For self-guided Lycian Way walks, we can provide detailed day-by-day information and GPS tracks together with the logistical services included in your agreed programme.

For a guided Lycian Way tour, professional licensed guiding can be incorporated throughout the journey, subject to availability and the final itinerary.

The number of walking days does not have to follow one standard duration. We can adjust the programme according to your available time, walking preferences and travel plans.

Continue the Lycian Way Beyond Kaş

Your journey does not have to end in Kaş. From here, the Central Lycian Way continues towards Kekova and Demre through coastal and archaeological landscapes including Aperlai, Üçağız and Simena.

You can also explore our Lycian Way Walking Tour – West, Central & East to compare the different sections of the trail and consider combining them into a longer journey.

If you would rather explore another section separately, you can continue with our Central Lycian Way or discover the Eastern Lycian Way through Olympos, Mt. Tahtalı and the mountains towards Antalya.

Walk with a Daypack – We Take Care of the Logistics

Walking the Lycian Way does not necessarily mean carrying all of your belongings every day. On programmes that include luggage transfers, we transport your main luggage between selected accommodations, so you can walk with a small daypack.

Depending on the programme agreed with you, arrangements can include accommodation, meals, luggage transfers, route information, GPS tracks, local transport and professional licensed guiding for guided journeys.

If you are organising your own walk and only need luggage transportation, see our Lycian Way Luggage Transfer Service.

Getting to the Western Lycian Way

Fethiye and Ölüdeniz are the natural starting points for most Western Lycian Way journeys. We can arrange private airport and trail transfers according to your arrival plans and the starting point of your walk.

If you are arriving through Dalaman Airport, we can also arrange a private transfer to Fethiye or Ölüdeniz before your journey begins.

A Lycian Way Journey Designed Around You

Some travellers have only a few days, while others want to continue beyond Kaş and explore a larger part of Lycia. You can follow the Western section as a complete journey, shorten the programme or combine it with another section of the Lycian Way.

We shape the final programme around your travel dates, group size and preferred walking pace. You can then choose whether to travel independently or with a guide.

Local Knowledge, Professional Organisation

Our Lycian Way programmes are designed around walking, local accommodation, regional food, archaeological landscapes and the practical realities of travelling along a long-distance trail.

Guided programmes are conducted by professional licensed guides, and travel arrangements are organised by Globe Outdoors Travel, a TÜRSAB-certified travel agency (Document No. A-17542).

Participants also receive the “Step by Step Lycian Way” guidebook by Altuğ Şenel as part of the applicable programme.

Questions? We Are Happy to Help

You do not need to decide everything before contacting us. Tell us your proposed travel dates, number of walking days, number of participants and whether you prefer a guided or self-guided journey.

We can help you decide whether the Western Lycian Way is right for you, adapt the programme to your available time or discuss continuing from Kaş towards the Central Lycian Way.

Fill in the enquiry form, send us a message, or contact us via WhatsApp or e-mail. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you plan your Lycian Way journey.

Western Lycian Way: Fethiye to Kaş

This is a sample itinerary for a tailor-made Western Lycian Way walking holiday. Accommodation, meals, luggage transfers, local and airport transfers, and guiding are arranged according to your preferences. The services described below illustrate this sample programme; your personalised quotation will confirm exactly what is included and excluded.

The western section of the Lycian Way takes you from the Fethiye and Ölüdeniz area to Kaş, combining some of the trail’s best-known coastal landscapes with ancient Lycian sites, mountain villages and locally run accommodation. This is a flexible itinerary rather than a fixed package. It can be adapted according to your proposed dates, number of walking days, group size and whether you prefer a guided or self-guided Lycian Way journey. We provide detailed day-by-day information and GPS tracks for the walks. Transfers and other logistical arrangements are organised according to the final itinerary.

If you are deciding whether to begin your journey near Fethiye or walk the route in the opposite direction, read our guide to walking the Lycian Way from west to east or east to west.

Day 1 – Arrival in Fethiye & Optional Kayaköy to Ölüdeniz Walk | 8 km

Arrive in the Ölüdeniz area and settle into your accommodation. If your arrival time allows, you can begin with an optional 8 km warm-up walk from Kayaköy to Ölüdeniz. Kayaköy, an abandoned historic settlement in the hills above Fethiye, provides an atmospheric starting point before the trail descends towards the coast. Alternatively, you may simply spend the remainder of the day relaxing in Ölüdeniz. Transfer from Dalaman Airport is included in the draft programme. Dinner and overnight accommodation are in Ölüdeniz.

Day 2 – Ovacık & Ölüdeniz to Faralya and Kabak | 17 km

Your main Lycian Way walk begins above Ölüdeniz, with extensive views over the lagoon and surrounding coastline. The route continues towards Faralya, with a lunch stop in Kozağaç village. From Faralya, continue towards Kabak. The afternoon section is easier than the morning walk. Overnight accommodation is in Kabak.

Day 3 – Kabak to Alınca and Ge | 16 km

Walk one of the characteristic mountain-and-sea sections of the western Lycian Way, climbing from Kabak towards Alınca. After lunch in Alınca, continue with a shorter and easier walk towards Ge village in the Yediburunlar area. Overnight accommodation is in a local pension in Ge.

Day 4 – Ge to Sidyma | 8 km – Letoon & Xanthos – Patara

Follow old paths between Ge and Sidyma, one of the atmospheric ancient settlements encountered along this part of the Lycian Way. After the walk and lunch in Sidyma, continue by transfer towards Patara, with visits to Letoon and Xanthos along the way. Both sites form part of the archaeological landscape of ancient Lycia and provide an important cultural dimension to the walking journey. Overnight accommodation is in Patara.

Day 5 – Delikkemer Aqueduct & Ancient Patara | 9 km

Today’s walk combines the landscape around Patara with two important elements of its ancient infrastructure and history. Explore Delikkemer, part of the Roman water system that supplied ancient Patara, before continuing towards the archaeological site. At Patara you can explore remains including the Bouleuterion, theatre and lighthouse area. The day also leaves time to enjoy Patara’s long sandy beach. Overnight accommodation is again in Patara.

Day 6 – Akbel to Bezirgan and Sarıbelen | 9 km

Begin from the Sarnıçbaşı area and walk above the coastline around Kalkan before continuing inland towards Bezirgan. Lunch is planned in Bezirgan beneath the historic plane tree before the route continues towards Sarıbelen. Dinner and accommodation are with a local family in Sarıbelen.

Day 7 – Sarıbelen to Gökçeören | 13 km

Continue through the rural landscapes and open plains between Sarıbelen and Gökçeören. This is a quieter section of the Lycian Way, offering a different character from the more familiar coastal stages. A local lunch is planned along the route, followed by overnight accommodation in a local pension in Gökçeören.

Day 8 – Gökçeören to Çukurbağ via Phellos | 25 km

This is the longest walking day of the western itinerary. The route passes through the ancient Lycian settlement of Phellos before continuing towards Çukurbağ. A picnic lunch is planned for the day. After completing the walk, stay overnight in a local pension in Çukurbağ.

Day 9 – Çukurbağ to Kaş | 5 km

A short final walk brings you from Çukurbağ down towards Kaş. The shorter distance leaves time to enjoy the town, swim, relax or explore Kaş independently. Lunch and dinner are left open so that you can choose among the town’s restaurants. Overnight accommodation is in Kaş.

Day 10 – Departure from Kaş

After breakfast, transfer from Kaş to Dalaman Airport according to your flight schedule. If your departure is later in the day, you may have additional time to explore Kaş before leaving.

Guided or Self-Guided Western Lycian Way

This itinerary can be adapted according to the number of days you have available, your preferred walking style and whether you would like to travel with a guide or independently. For self-guided journeys, detailed route information and day-by-day GPS tracks can be provided. The final arrangement may also include accommodation, transfers and other walking logistics according to the programme agreed with you.

Questions? We Are Happy to Help

If you have any questions about this itinerary, your walking plans or travelling on the Lycian Way, please feel free to contact us. You do not need to have your entire journey planned before getting in touch. Tell us your proposed dates, number of days, number of participants and whether you are considering a guided or self-guided journey, and we will be happy to answer your questions and discuss the most suitable option. Fill in the enquiry form, send us a message, or contact us via WhatsApp or e-mail. We will be happy to answer your questions and hear about your Lycian Way plans. If you are beginning your walk in the Fethiye or Ölüdeniz area, we can also help organise your arrival logistics, including our private transfer from Dalaman Airport to Fethiye and Ölüdeniz.

Guidelines & Important Notes

Our journeys are carefully planned, but outdoor travel is naturally affected by weather, trail conditions, local circumstances and the abilities of the group. The following guidelines apply to our programmes unless different conditions are specifically stated in your final itinerary.

Please read these notes before booking. They are intended to help us provide a safe, well-organised and enjoyable journey for everyone involved.

Small Groups & Participation

We intentionally keep our groups limited in size. Smaller groups allow us to manage transfers, accommodation, guiding and daily logistics more effectively while maintaining a more personal experience.

Availability may therefore be limited, particularly on programmes using small local guesthouses or accommodation in remote areas. Early booking is recommended when your travel dates are fixed.

Before & After Your Tour

If you plan to arrive before the programme begins or stay longer after it ends, please let us know. Where possible, we can assist with additional accommodation, transfers and other travel arrangements.

These services are separate from the standard programme unless specifically included in your proposal.

Arrival & Departure Information

Please provide your confirmed arrival and departure details as early as possible, including dates, times, flight numbers where applicable and your arrival or departure point.

This information allows us to coordinate airport, bus station, hotel and other programme-related transfers correctly. Changes to previously supplied travel details should be communicated to us as soon as possible.

Walking Distances & Leaving a Route Early

Walking distances, elevation and terrain vary considerably between programmes and from day to day. Please read the individual itinerary carefully and contact us before booking if you are uncertain whether a particular route is suitable for you.

If you decide to stop walking during a stage, we will assist where reasonably possible. However, many walking routes pass through remote areas without immediate vehicle access. A transfer can only be arranged from a suitable and accessible meeting point.

Additional transfers that are not part of the original programme may involve an extra charge.

Clothing & Equipment

Appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear are essential. A detailed list of required and recommended equipment will be provided according to the destination, season and nature of the programme.

Participants are responsible for arriving with the mandatory personal equipment specified for their journey.

Health, Fitness & Personal Responsibility

Outdoor programmes may involve long walking days, uneven ground, ascents and descents, heat, cold, altitude or locations that are some distance from immediate medical assistance.

Participants are responsible for assessing whether their general health and physical condition are appropriate for the programme they have chosen.

Please inform us before the journey of any relevant medical condition, allergy, medication requirement, dietary restriction or other circumstance that could affect your participation or become important in an emergency.

If you have any doubt about your ability to participate safely, we recommend discussing the itinerary with us before booking and, where appropriate, seeking advice from your doctor or qualified healthcare professional.

Weather, Trail Conditions & Route Changes

Safety takes priority over following an itinerary exactly as written.

Weather, heavy rain, strong winds, storms, wildfire risk, trail damage, road conditions, local restrictions, sea conditions or other circumstances may require changes to a walking route, transfer, boat journey, activity or daily schedule.

When a change is necessary for operational or safety reasons, the final decision during a guided programme rests with the guide and/or tour organisation. Participants are expected to respect these decisions.

Such changes do not mean that the quality of the journey has been reduced; they are part of responsible outdoor travel and are made with the safety and practical interests of the group in mind.

Local Accommodation & Services

Many of our journeys use small hotels, pensions, family-run guesthouses and locally operated services rather than large international establishments.

This is an important part of the experience, but it also means that room availability, facilities and service arrangements can differ from one destination to another.

Where a specific property or local service becomes unavailable, we reserve the right to arrange a suitable alternative while maintaining the overall character and standard of the programme as closely as reasonably possible.

Deposits, Cancellation & Refunds

A deposit is required to confirm a booking. This allows us to secure accommodation, guides, transfers and other services required for the programme.

Many of the local businesses we work with are small operations with limited capacity, and some services require advance payment. For this reason, deposits and cancellation conditions will apply according to the terms provided with your booking.

Please review the cancellation and refund conditions supplied with your proposal before making payment. Where a programme is cancelled by us, refunds will be handled according to the applicable booking conditions and any services already committed or refunded by suppliers.

Your Final Itinerary

The programme shown on the website should be considered the framework of the journey. Your confirmed proposal and final itinerary will specify the services, accommodation, transfers, meals, guiding arrangements and other inclusions applicable to your booking.

Please read your final itinerary carefully before travelling and contact us if anything is unclear.

Professional Organisation & Licensed Guiding

Outdoor travel requires more than simply following a route. Behind each programme are accommodation arrangements, transfers, local suppliers, route planning, communication and decisions that may need to be made while the journey is underway.

Our programmes are organised by Globe Outdoors Travel, a TÜRSAB-certified travel agency (Document No. A-17542). Guided programmes are conducted by appropriately licensed professional guides where guiding services are included.

We take the organisation of our journeys seriously and expect participants to approach the programme with the same respect for safety, local conditions, the environment and the other members of the group.