WHAT TO PACK FOR THE LYCIAN WAY.
If you’re planning to hike the Lycian Way independently, one of the biggest questions on your mind might be: what exactly do I need to pack?
The Lycian Way offers a mix of rugged trails, wild beaches, ancient ruins, charming mountain villages, and steep ascents – meaning your gear needs to work across all terrains, all weathers, and all moods.
After walking the Lycian Way ourselves, here’s our complete and detailed guide on what to bring – whether you’re camping or staying in guesthouses.
Backpack: Choose the Right Size
- If camping: A 60–65 litre backpack is ideal to carry your tent, sleeping gear, and stove.
- If not camping: A smaller 30–40 litre pack is perfect for carrying essentials between pensions and guesthouses.
Tip: Make sure your backpack has a good hip belt and rain cover.
Clothing for the Lycian Way
If you’re walking the Lycian Way, chances are that it will be during warm weather. So think light, breathable, and quick-drying.
Generally, the most popular times to walk the Lycian Way are April to May or September to November. And you can expect temperatures from low 20s (centigrade) through to high 20s during these months.
That said, evenings and mornings can be cool, especially if walking in April or November.
Daytime Hiking Clothing:
- Quick-dry shorts or hiking skirt
- 2–3 quick-dry tops (synthetic or merino)
- Sports bras (for women)
- 4–5 pairs of socks – they get sandy and mucky fast!
- Quick-dry underwear
- Hat and sunglasses for sun protection
Evening / Town Wear:
- Lightweight trousers or joggers (for cooler evenings)
- Dress, jumpsuit, or linen shirt and shorts for relaxing in towns
- Sandals or flip flops (essential after a long day hiking)
You might be wondering about the dress code in Turkey, particularly for women. I’ve written a guide to what to wear for women visiting Turkey here.
In general, I felt comfortable hiking in shorts throughout the trek. I always felt that it was appropriate to wear dresses in the evening and on rest days, but I opted for loose fitting styles with midi/maxi skirts.
Layers (seasonal):
- Lightweight fleece or jacket
- Optional: thin base layer for sleeping (especially if camping).
Swimwear:
- Lycian Way = daily swim opportunities. Bring a swimsuit! And a trek towel and keep them at the top of your bag.
What kind of footwear to wear on the Lycian Way
There are a few options for footwear on the Lycian Way. We suggest either trail shoes or hiking boots.
Trainers/ Trail Shoes
Trail shoes with a decent grip area ideal for the Lycian Way. Especially if you’re looking for lightweight and breathable shoes in the warm weather. Trainers without decent grip are not going to be suitable for the Lycian Way.
We opted to wear our Hoka shoes. John had a pair of trail shoes (Speed Goat 5), whereas I wore Clifton’s which are not as suitable to trails. Decent trail shoes, such as the Hoka Speed Goats are brilliant for the Lycian Way.
Hiking boots
Lightweight and breathable hiking boots would be suitable for the Lycian Way, especially if you plan to walk the entire route. Many hikers opted for boots and I would argue that they are probably the most suitable thing for the terrain on the Lycian Way, with boulders to scramble over and regular uneven surfaces.
We wear the Aramadillo Hiking Boot from Nortiv 8. These are a really great modern hiking boot – breathable, flexible and nicely cushioned. I wish I had packed mine for the Lycian Way!
Toiletries and Essentials
- All-in-one soap (use for body, hair & laundry)
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen (high SPF) and SPF lip balm
- Trek towel (for swimming and campsites)
- Small first aid kit – blister plasters, painkillers, antihistamines, and Imodium
Electronics
- Mobile phone with a Turkish SIM (or Airalo eSIM for data)
- Offline maps/navigation app (like Maps.me or Gaia)
- Battery pack/power bank
- Chargers and plug adapter (Turkey uses Type C/E)
- Optional: head torch for camping or evening power cuts
Optional Camping Kit
We suggest the following items and have included links to some of the camping kit that we use regularly:
- Lightweight tent
- Lightweight sleeping bag – adjusted for the weather
- Sleeping pad
- Cooking stove, gas and lighter
- Cooking pots (we prefer these to a kettle)
- Coffee or Tea and a cup or mug
- Utensils (a spork is the best option)
- Swiss-army knife or multi-tool
- A head torch
Do you need hiking poles for the Lycian Way?
We do not tend to use hiking/ trekking poles and have deliberately avoided using them on all long-distance hikes we’ve done previously. That said, we did regret not having them for the Lycian Way. If we went back, we would pack hiking poles.
The route is very undulating and there are quite often steep climbs and steep descents. Most people we met had poles and found them useful for the hills. However, they may not always be helpful (especially when scrambling), so we suggest packing foldable ones.
If you do decide to take poles, a budget set of hiking poles can be found for around £25. Mid-range hiking poles retail at £60 ish. More expensive carbon fibre poles are in the region of about £150.
Other Essentials
- Cash – Turkish Lira is king, and ATMs are few in remote areas
- Debit/credit card for towns
- Rain cover for backpack
- Waterproof jacket (particularly for spring or autumn)
- Packing cubes – game changer for keeping kit organised
- Playing cards or small travel game – great for downtime
- Notebook/pen for journaling (optional, but recommended)
Final Tips for Packing for the Lycian Way
- Less is more – avoid overpacking. You’ll feel every extra gram on the climbs. And, there are lots of tricky little sections with scrambling – a big bag would hinder progress.
- Plan your layers by season – spring and autumn evenings can be chilly, but summer is hot and humid.
- Dry bags and covers – rainstorms are short but intense. Protect your electronics and clothes.
- Pack with flexibility in mind – you’ll want to switch between hiking, swimming, and relaxing often.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
11 Reasons to Walk the Lycian Way in Turkey
11 REASONS TO WALK THE LYCIAN WAY. Stretching over 500km along Turkey’s dramatic southwest coast, the Lycian Way is one of Europe’s most spectacular long-distance hiking trails. But it’s also one of the most underrated. If you’re wondering whether to add it to your hiking bucket list, here are 11 very good reasons to pack…
A Guide to Lycian Way Accommodation: where to stay
A GUIDE TO LYCIAN WAY ACCOMMODATION: WHERE TO STAY. If you’re planning to hike the Lycian Way, one of the big questions you’ll be asking early on is this: where will I sleep each night? Unlike some long-distance trails where camping is the only option or where you must plan around large towns, the Lycian…
15 best hikes in Europe for April
15 BEST HIKES IN EUROPE FOR APRIL. April is a wonderful month to enjoy hiking in Europe, whether you’re looking for a long distance trail or a few days of trekking. But, you have to pick wisely to find the best hiking weather. In the north, trails might still be snowbound. But head a little…
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
CHECK LATEST FLIGHTS
ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.