| The route runs from Fethiye to Antalia over | | | | they are left over from Greek settlements that |
| undulating and rugged countryside.The trek is | | | | were still flourishing up until 1923. It was then that |
| officially graded medium to hard and it is | | | | the Turkish and Greek governments agreed on |
| recommended to walk the trail in spring or | | | | doing a population swap! |
| autumn as it gets very hot during the summer | | | | Today, the landscape is dotted with many small |
| months. | | | | isolated villages and single-home farm who live |
| Personally I think April - May is the absolute best | | | | from the produce of the land. In the past, |
| time to hike in Turkey as the vistas are so green | | | | however, the coastline was dominated by large |
| having been refreshed by the winters rainfall. At | | | | cities with harbors, bathhouses and even theaters. |
| this time of year there is an abundance of wild | | | | This is the land which Alexanda the Great visited |
| flowers, in fact Turkey has more varieties of wild | | | | and left his mark. |
| flowers than the whole of Europe put together | | | | Credit for the opening of the Lycian Way goes to |
| Lycia comes from the ancient name for the | | | | Kate Clow and Terry Richardson who designed |
| Tekke Peninsula, which protrudes out into the | | | | and signposted the entire route. After moving to |
| beautiful Mediterranean sea. The forested coastline | | | | Turkey in 1989, Kate Clow began exploring |
| gives way to steep mountains and the route | | | | walking routes in 1992. Later in 1997 she managed |
| winds in and out of the valleys and peaks leaving | | | | to win an award from Garanti bank enabling her |
| you with breathtaking views of bays and islands. | | | | to finance the opening up and marking of the |
| Most trekkers start from Fethiye where, as you | | | | complete route in 1999. |
| rise up the hill towards Kayakoy, you are | | | | One of the incredible highlights of the route is the |
| rewarded by stunning views of the gulf of | | | | flames of Chimera. These continously burning |
| Fethiye with its many islands, bays and the long | | | | flames which are seen over the whole side of a |
| stretch of Calis beach. The route continues past | | | | mountain are the result of escaping natural gas |
| Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley and then on towards | | | | that rises from the earth. It makes an awe |
| Patara, Kalkan, Kas and Finike. From here on the | | | | inspiring sight at night time. |
| Lycian Way heads towards Olympos and Cirali | | | | The ancients believed that the flames were |
| until finally emerging at Antalia. | | | | caused by a monstrous creature that lived inside |
| It is a long path but there are frequent | | | | the mountain called a Chimera. The mountain of |
| convenient places to camp as well as pansions | | | | Chimera is very close to the idyllic ruined city of |
| (bed and breakfast) and some hotels. | | | | Olympos where you can spent a night or two in |
| One of the high points of the walk is that it | | | | tree houses that are rented to back-backers. |
| passes through so many antique sites of villages | | | | During July and August thousands of baby |
| and towns which date back thousands of years. | | | | Hawksbill turtles break free from their sand buried |
| You will see many tumble down stone houses | | | | eggs and rampage down towards the surf - an |
| with animal shelters made on the ground floors. | | | | amazing sight if you are around in those summer |
| Most of these are actually relatively recent as | | | | months! |