Think of Turkey and the first thing that may spring to mind is crowded beach resorts, large hotels and sunshine. Well, think again! The Lycian Way shows off a more untouched part of Turkey which most people are unfamiliar with. Don't get me wrong - the sunshine and turquoise blue seas are still there but add to that exhilarating walking along cliff-top paths, ruins from ancient civilisations, peaceful villages, and overnight stays in traditional pensions and guesthouses serving mouth-watering meals cooked up by the owners.

Myra's Amphitheare circa 100BC

Remote coves and beaches

So if you want a sunshine holiday but one which will exercise those leg muscles and immerse you more in the local culture and history, then you can't go wrong with the Lycian Way.

Here at Macs Adventure, we split the walk up into the Lycian Way West and the Lycian Way East.

Here are the most common questions I get asked about the Lycian Way;

What section should I do?

I often get asked by people who don't have the 14 days required to do the complete walk which section they should do. This is a very difficult question to answer as both parts are beautiful in their own way. However, I would say that the East section is slightly more rugged and the overnight stops are in slightly quieter and more authentically Turkish villages. So if you are looking for more traditional Turkey the East section is the one for you!

Will I get lost?

Our route notes were given a re-vamp in 2014, the guidebook was updated in 2014 and we have also sourced new maps so all of this combined with the fact that the Lycian Way is a way-marked walk means that you should have no problems navigating your way!

Is it safe?

Turkey is an incredibly welcoming country with locals who will go out of the way to help you at every step. However, recent global news has left some people feeling a bit unsure about travelling there.  The good news is that here at Macs Adventure we do keep a close eye on any travel restrictions issued by the FCO and would not send anybody to a country which is completely unsafe to travel to. We would obviously recommend the same caution and care exercised on any other self-guided holiday to keep yourself safe but the area where the Lycian Way travels through is generally speaking very safe for tourists and is quite a distance away from the south-east of Turkey, the area which does present some security challenges. Read a blog written by Kevin de Souza, an author at Trekking in Turkey, which is the commercial arm of the Culture Routes Society, a not-for-profit society managing culture routes in Turkey.

Views on the Cirali to Ulupinar Walk

Delightful waterside restaurants at your Ucagiz pension

What is the best time of year?

I would recommend either Spring or Autumn! Turkey can get incredibly hot during the summer months of June, July and August and those cliff-top paths will have you sweating at this time of year. So to make it more enjoyable travel in the cooler months when the heat isn't such a burden!

What is the accommodation like?

The accommodation we use on the Lycian Way is a mixture of traditional turkish pensions and guesthouses. All the accommodations offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality. However, it is worth noting that they are traditionally Turkish and therefore simply furnished with no frills. However they are charming and well-located, and actually some of the accommodations on the Lycian Way are actually what made my experience so enjoyable! A highlight of my walk on the Lycian Way was sitting enjoying the most delicious fish I have ever tasted whilst discussing our travels with the lovely owner Bayram.

If all of this has whetted your appetite then contact our Destination & Adventure Specialist Laura now for some further inspiration and details!