Walking holiday specialises Inntravel has released two new hotel-to-hotel walking trips along the Lycian Way on Turkey’s southwestern coast. Intended for those who have a real sense of adventure and relish challenging hiking, each trip explores a different stretch of the 520km-long Lycian Way, Turkey’s first long-distance walking route which marks its 25th anniversary year in 2025.
Inspired by bygone civilisations and the beautiful ancient pathways, the route was pioneered by British expatriate Kate Clow, with a view to preserving and protecting the small communities from the advancement of mass tourism.
To reveal the best of the country’s Mediterranean coastline, Inntravel has opted for the eastern section on The Pirate Coast of Lycia and the western section on Seven Capes of Lycia. They stitch together spectacular coastal views with charming, traditional accommodation and plenty of time for cultural visits, as well as some unforgettable ‘wow’ moments, such as the eternal flames that flicker from the earth and the cities hidden beneath the sea.
Bookable between 1 September and 26 October 2024, these self-guided non-group holidays allow walkers to move at their own pace in Lycia (‘the Land of the Light’) as they walk from one friendly hotel to the next. Inntravel transfers the luggage, supplies highly detailed cultural route notes and maps to act as a trusty guide, and provides exceptional on-call support, leaving walkers free to enjoy the astonishing scenery.
The Pirate Coast of Lycia
The eastern section of the Lycian Way is a stretch of spectacular coastline that was once a haven for plundering pirates. The holiday begins in Çirali, where a pleasant loop through woodland takes walkers to the Flames of Chimaera that have burned naturally for millennia. Today’s walk can be combined with a visit to the nearby remains of the ancient city of Olympos. Heading next to Adrasan, the path is remote, with the ruins of ancient sarcophagi and Roman Temples, and then onto Hoyran past the panoramic Gelidonya Lighthouse, before two nights in one of Inntravel’s most spectacular hotels, along with beautiful gardens and inventive food. The striking finale for the walk is Simena – an ancient town framed by a ruined medieval stronghold and with views to the sunken city of Kekova Island.
Price: from £1,615pp based on two sharing, including seven nights’ B&B accommodation, six dinners, three picnics, route notes and maps, GPS navigation, and two taxi transfers. Flights to Antalya are extra. Return airport – hotel transfers cost £118pp. See inntravel.co.uk
The Pirate Coast of Lycia with Beycik
Also offered is a nine-night version of this adventure, The Pirate Coast of Lycia with Beycik, which starts in the magnificent Beydaglari National Park. From here, walkers take the cable car to the panoramic summit of Mount Olympos (2,365 metres) to explore its otherworldly lunar landscapes, before descending the rugged slopes on foot.
Price: from £2,120pp as above, with nine nights’ B&B, eight dinners and four picnics. See inntravel.co.uk
Seven Capes of Lycia
This thrilling new walking holiday along the Lycian Way’s westernmost section has so much to offer – not least the rugged, unfiltered landscape and the extraordinary views that greet walkers around every corner.
Less challenging than the eastern section of the Lycian Way, this holiday includes shorter walks along waymarked trails and through pine forests, with more time to relax in the charming, traditional accommodation. Starting at the very beginning of the Lycian Way, in Ovacik, the route wanders through landscapes shaped by a 7th century BC civilisation, strewn with distinctive sarcophogi (stone tombs), along centuries-old mule tracks and on trading paths that link small villages. Swim in the famous blue lagoon of Olüdeniz and enjoy a home-cooked lunch at Fatma’s house in the ancient ruined village of Sidyma, a real highlight. The holiday culminates in a terrific final stay at the spectacularly sited Yediburunlar Lighthouse Hotel overlooking Yedi Burun – the ‘Seven Capes’.
Price: from £1,340pp based on two sharing, including seven nights’ B&B, six dinners, three picnics, luggage transported, route notes and maps, GPS navigation, lunch in a Turkish village house, and 4 taxi transfers. There are frequent flights to Dalaman from most UK airports (extra). Return airport – hotel transfers cost £92pp. Start any day of the week. See inntravel.co.uk