LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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11 REASONS TO WALK THE LYCIAN WAY.

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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 your bag and book a cheap flight to Dalaman.

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1. The Views are Next Level

On our very first day, we were totally blown away by the views. We wondered if the first day might be the best, but in fact, every day brought a new incredible view.

This is coastal hiking at its finest. Think cliffside paths that dip and rise along the turquoise shore, wide open sea views. Then come the mountain switchbacks that make you feel like you’re climbing to the top of the world.

The route hugs the Mediterranean, but also climbs high into pine forests and ancient mountain villages. Every day is different.

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2. Ancient Ruins

You can’t walk far without stumbling across something ancient. The trail weaves through the heart of Lycian civilisation, passing by ruined cities, sarcophagi, temples, and theatres.

What makes these sights even more engaging, is that you sometimes stumble upon them on your walk. We felt like Indiana Jones. And even the historic sights which required an admission fee, weren’t mobbed by tourists. It all felt like hidden wonders that we were discovering on our own.

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3. You can swim as you walk

One of the biggest perks of the Lycian Way? Finishing your hiking day with a dip in the Mediterranean. Or, even better, taking a quick dip during a break.

So often we would come across hidden coves, with nobody but us. We could take our time to put the swimmers on and relax in the water, before drying off and pulling our hiking gear back on.

Prepare accordingly – we recommend keeping your swimmers and towel near to the top of your bag so you can grab it easily.

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4. Delicious Home-Cooked Turkish Food

Expect fresh tomatoes, aubergines, lentil soup, olives, and baskets of warm bread – all served with a smile in tiny guesthouses along the route. Many places offer half-board, so you’ll be well-fed after a long day on your feet. And don’t forget the endless glasses of çay (tea).

Our personal favourite was pide – a Turkish pizza. We ate so much of this on route that it became a running joke. “A pide a day keeps the doctor away.”

And don’t forget the Gozleme – Turkish pancakes with spinach and feta. The perfect hiking fuel.

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5. Cosy Guesthouses in Remote Villages

Accommodation on the Lycian Way is simple but full of character. And one of the highlights is staying in remote guesthouses.

You’ll have the option to sleep in mountain villages where time slows down and wake to the sound of roosters and the call to prayer.

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6. Sunsets You’ll Never Forget

One thing that always takes coastal hikes to the next level is a great sunrise or sunset. And there’s something quite special about sunsets on the Lycian Way.

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7. It’s Peaceful

Unlike the busier routes in Europe parts of the Lycian Way feel totally wild. You can walk for hours without seeing anyone else, especially outside of peak season. For hikers who love solitude, this is a real draw. We had more dogs for company than we did fellow hikers.

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8. It’s Challenging

We were caught a little off guard by the difficulty of parts of the Lycian Way. he trail is rugged in places and some ascents are seriously steep.

In a sense, this is one of the things that makes it so rewarding. If you’re reasonably fit and up for an adventure, it’s well within reach. Plus, you can always choose to hike just the best sections if 500km feels a bit much.

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9. The Culture is Warm and Welcoming

It may seem trite, but we were genuinely blown away by Turkish hospitality. Everyone we met, from locals in the street, to restaurant owners, were really welcoming and seemed genuinely pleased to see us mad people walking through their village.

At one point on the trail, I developed a nasty cold and felt awful. Our host in a pension found out I was sick and brought me fresh herbs for tea and medicine. It was quite literally heart warming.

Cafes, restaurants and hotels all tried to offer a great service. Only on once occasion, we felt that prices had been a little inflated towards hikers. But in general, this didn’t happen.

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10. The route caters to campers

If you like the idea of camping as you walk, the route is ideal. We didn’t choose to camp, but realised as we started walking that it would have been possible.

Wild camping is a bit of a legal grey area in Turkey. says, it seems to be accepted, and indeed expected on the Lycian Way.

But if wild camping doesn’t appeal, that’s fine too. There are frequent camp grounds with facilities.

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11. It’s Easy to Get There

Start in Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, or Antalya – all with good transport links and plenty of accommodation. The Lycian Way is well-marked, with red and white trail blazes, and you can hike it completely self-guided. We planned our 10-day route with a mix of map apps, GPX tracks, and WhatsApp bookings – no guide required.

More Lycian Way content

You can find our detailed guides to the Lycian Way below.

• Highlights of the Lycian Way
• FAQs for hikers
• Packing List for the Lycian Way
• Accommodation on the Lycian Way
• Best things to do in Antalya
• Things to do in Kas
• Short guide to Cirali
• The magic of Simena

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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