Lycian Way

The Lycian Way is a long-distance coastal footpath along southwestern Turkey that follows routes used in antiquity through the Lycian region. The trail covers a multi-hundred-kilometre route linking coastal towns, mountain ridges and ancient ruins.

Hikers follow marked stages that total around 540 kilometres and include high coastal ridges, forested paths, secluded bays and access to numerous Lycian archaeological sites. Daily stages range from short coastal walks to long mountain crossings, and many hikers combine walking with stays in village pensions and small guesthouses.

The path also provides repeated sea views and passes classical ruins such as rock-cut tombs, amphitheatres and the remains of Lycian settlements, making the trail appealing for both natural scenery and archaeology. Waymarking and local services allow multi-week through-hikes or shorter staged walks.

The modern route was established and waymarked in the late 1990s by Kate Clow to link ancient Lycian routes and coastal paths into a continuous long-distance trail. Since then it has become one of Turkey’s most popular long-distance hikes, maintained by local groups and private operators.

The trail runs along the southwestern coast of Turkey through parts of Muğla and Antalya provinces, with commonly used start points near Fethiye in the west and stages that approach the greater Antalya region in the east.

• Length and origin: Approximately 540 kilometres in length, waymarked and founded by British guidebook author Kate Clow in the late 1990s.
• Best seasons: Best seasons for hiking are spring and autumn when temperatures are moderate; some coastal and mountain stages can be hot in summer and exposed in winter.

What to See #

• Fethiye and western approach: Fethiye and its surrounding coastal trails mark the western approach and provide access to the first stages of the long-distance route.
• Ölüdeniz and Kaş stages: The Ölüdeniz and Kaş sections feature coastal cliffs, sea views and nearby ancient Lycian sites often used as daily or multi-day stages.
• Patara, Olympos and Antalya terminus: The route passes or connects to the ancient sites of Patara and Olympos and finishes near the broader Antalya region, offering archaeological highlights along the way.