For most people, Turkey is a resort where you can have a cheap rest in a five-star All-inclusive hotel. But few people realize that the country has a rich historical and cultural past, as well as charming corners of nature, hidden from the eyes of an ignorant tourist. And this is confirmed by the Lycian trail, Turkey, which is a unique route of hundreds of kilometers, having overcome it yourself, you will forever change your idea of this amazing country. What you can expect on this path and how to prepare for the campaign, we will tell you in our article.
General information
The Lycian Trail is the longest route in Turkey and one of the most popular hiking trails in the world. Any tourist can organize a hike in this area independently, even if they do not have special training. The trail runs along the southwestern coast of Turkey and passes through the peninsula located between Antalya province and Fethiye.
Earlier, the ancient state of Lycia flourished on this territory, which was an association of independent cities connected with each other by trade relations. The first settlements here began to appear as early as 1500 BC, which gradually grew into cities with a high standard of living. This state has always been a tasty morsel for conquerors, and it was repeatedly captured by the Persians, Romans, Alexander the Great and the Turks. But despite its dependent position, Lycia has always managed to remain an autonomous territory. It is in honor of its free inhabitants that the popular route in Turkey was named.
Route
The Lycian Trail has a total length of 509 km. Its path runs along mountain slopes, along unpaved, and sometimes asphalt roads. Many tourists who have independently conquered the trail note that the most spectacular landscapes are concentrated in the east near the village of Khisachandysh. It is noteworthy that the route of the Lycian Trail is not only characterized by picturesque terrain, but also passes through many famous sights of Turkey, which we will discuss a little later. It is not surprising that the famous English edition of The Sunday Times included this route in the top 10 most beautiful routes in the world.
If you look at the map of the Lycian Trail route, it becomes clear that its starting point is the province of Antalya, namely the point located near the international airport. The final part of the track is the beautiful city of Oludeniz, which is located 60 km southeast of Dalaman Airport and 15 km south of the famous Fethiye resort.
In 1999, English traveler Kate Clow went to Turkey to explore the Lycian Trail and did a lot of work on her own to place markers on its route. After that, she published the book “The Lycian Way”, thanks to which this path has become very popular among hiking enthusiasts.
Today, special markers painted in red and white can be found along the entire route. As a rule, these markers are located on trees and rocks, and they are constantly updated by volunteers, so that they are clearly visible. If you decide to explore the Lycian Trail on your own, you should keep in mind that placemarks are common in some parts of the route, while they are rare in others. And when you stop seeing markers for a long period of time, you should turn back.
There are also many signs on the Lycian Trail, which are most often located at forks and major intersections. Thanks to these signs, you can find out the direction you need and the distance to the nearest settlement. If you can’t figure out where to go next on your own, you can always ask for help from local residents who will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Attractions on the Lycian Trail
The uniqueness of the Lycian Trail route lies in its pristine landscapes, as well as in the historical and natural attractions located along the route. While exploring the area on your own, you can visit:
- Ancient city of Olympos. The ruins of the once thriving town now lie in the picturesque surroundings of the Lycian Trail in Turkey. The ruins are quite well preserved, so this is an ideal place for those who want to feel the ancient atmosphere.
- Historical city of the Mira. Here, a piece of antiquity found its life in the ancient Greek amphitheater, which was restored by the efforts of the Turkish authorities. Restoration work continues to this day. Special attention should also be paid to the ancient tombs that have found their refuge in the rocky mountain slopes.
- Goynuk Canyon. Surrounded by turquoise mountain waters, the famous gorge is one of the main attractions of Kemer. Here you can not only enjoy the natural beauty, but also conquer the icy river of the canyon by swimming.
- Yanartash or the Fiery Chimera. If you look at a detailed map of the route of the Lycian Trail, you can see that its path runs through the famous Yanartash Mountain in Turkey, called the Fiery Chimera for its ever-burning lights. Natural gas accumulates in the mountain’s interior, seeps out through crevices and, coming into contact with oxygen, ignites spontaneously, forming flames on the mountain surface.
- Mount Tahtali. The highest point on the described route was Mount Tahtali, 2,365 meters high. Everyone has the opportunity to climb to the mountain top by funicular in order to see spectacular bird’s-eye views, as well as join paragliding.
Photos of the Lycian Trail and its attractions can awaken in any traveler the desire to immediately pack up and go to conquer one of the most beautiful routes in the world.
Practical information
Of course, no trip will bring positive emotions if you do not know all the practical information in advance. When going to Turkey to hike the Lycian Trail on your own, it is important to prepare the necessary equipment and money, consider options for overnight accommodation and communication with the outside world.
Communication
Communication abroad is very important, especially if you are going to travel on remote mountain routes. The mobile network on the Lycian Trail is working properly, because most cell towers are located in the mountains, so your phone can always catch the signal of one of the Turkish operators. Here you can use the services of your usual mobile company by connecting the appropriate tariff for travel, or upon arrival in Stana, you can purchase a SIM card from a local operator. The second option will be beneficial only if you often visit Turkey: SIM cards here are quite expensive and cost about $20.
In addition, the country has a well-developed network of pay phones, which can be found in almost any locality. The cards are sold at local markets and PTT post offices and are designed for different call times (from 10 minutes or more). It is especially advantageous to use vending machines when making calls abroad to city numbers.
Money
Although dollars and euros are accepted almost everywhere in Turkey, it is more profitable to pay in Turkish liras. It is best to change the currency in city exchangers. If you are the owner of a Sberbank card, then you do not need to worry at all. Just a couple of years ago, Sberbank bought out the lion’s share of shares in the Turkish bank DenizBank, and now tourists who come to Turkey can withdraw cash in Turkish liras without any commission. DenizBank is a very popular institution in the country, and its terminals are available in almost all localities, so it will not be difficult to find it yourself.
Overnight stay
Another important question that should be considered in advance is the place of your future overnight stay. You can guarantee a place to spend the night at any point of the route, if you go on your own on the Lycian trail with a tent. Of course, in the cities and towns along this route, you will find many hotels where it is quite possible to rent a room for two for $15-20 per night. But sometimes the distance between such objects is more than 30 km, which is quite difficult to pass without rest and sleep. Therefore, the tent must be present in your arsenal of travelers.
Equipment
In addition to the tent, you should take care of other necessary equipment. Of course, you will need sleeping bags and mats, as well as kitchen accessories in the form of a boiler, burner, fuel for the burner, dishes, matches/lighters, basic spices. Be sure to form a first-aid kit with the required medical supplies and bring a needle, thread, tape and glue. You’ll need a map, compass, or GPS to navigate the Lycian Trail on your own, and save your flashlight for the dark. And, of course, a mandatory item in the list of equipment will be comfortable hiking shoes. If desired, you can also grab trekking poles.
Gas and firewood
You can’t do without gas and firewood to prepare food on a hike. It should be borne in mind that the route of the Lycian Trail often passes through national parks, where bonfires are strictly prohibited. In general, you will not have any problems with firewood, but gas in the usual threaded cylinders can not be found everywhere. In Turkey, old models of gas cylinders that need to be punctured are common, and you can buy them even in a small village. You can buy gas in threaded cylinders in advance at Antalya’s Decathlon and TibetOutdoor stores.
Useful tips
Having studied the stories of travelers who independently conquered the Lycian Trail in Turkey, we have identified some very useful recommendations, following which you can make your hike 100% successful.
- The ideal time for a Lycian Trail tour is during the autumn and spring months. It is quite hot here in summer, so your trip can turn from an exciting adventure into an unpleasant and exhausting wandering in the mountains. In winter, heavy downpours are frequent, which also will not create comfortable conditions for hiking. In spring and autumn, the air temperature in the region is optimal for overcoming the route and averages 25 °C during the day and 17 °C at night.
- If you go hiking in winter, be sure to stock up on warm clothing, including a jacket, gloves, and hat. In the summer, you will need light clothing, sunglasses and a headdress, but in the evening it gets colder high in the mountains, so a warm jacket will also be useful.
- Bring a Russian-Turkish phrasebook or download the translator program to your phone. It is worth considering that in the remote rural corners of Turkey, few people speak English, and even more so in Russian. And the probability that you will have to ask for help from local residents is quite high. So be sure to learn a few conversational phrases and don’t forget to bring a dictionary.
- Watch out for scorpions and snakes. There are quite a lot of snakes in Turkey, especially in the forests, so you need to be prepared to meet them. Usually, these reptiles do not attack a person if they are not provoked, so if you see a reptile, let it crawl away and continue on its way. Be sure to check your bags, tent and sleeping bags, as there may be an unexpected guest in the form of a scorpion. They also often hide under branches, so be careful when collecting firewood.
- Be able to recognize water sources. Along the entire route, you will meet drinking water sources in the form of wells and columns. As a rule, they are marked on the maps of the Lycian Trail with a special sign, but sometimes it is difficult to understand that there is a well in front of you. If you see a stone with a thorn or a stone covered with boards, then know that this is a source of drinking water. Also pay attention to the level at which the water is located: if it is deep, then it is suitable for drinking, but if the water is on the surface, then it should not be drunk without boiling.
- Be sure to bring sunscreen with you. You will need it at any time of the year: the sun’s rays in Turkey are very powerful, so if you stay in the sun for a long time, you can burn out even in winter.
- You don’t have to fill your backpacks with groceries. On the trail in small villages you will meet shops where you can buy the necessary goods. Here, outside the tourist area, you will have the opportunity to find a budget cafe, most likely with local cuisine, so you will definitely not stay hungry.
Conclusion
The Lycian Trail, Turkey, will show you a completely different country with spectacular pristine nature and rich historical heritage. Here you can feel like a real trailblazer and independently conquer the trails that once followed the army of Alexander the Great himself. Such a very unusual holiday will give you a lot of new emotions, and you will no longer look at Turkey with an indifferent look.
