Lying on the beach, looking up at the jagged, misty ranges of limestone peaks, it’s easy to wish yourself up, up and away. Up where the birds wheel over the snow patches, where crocuses and tulips open their petals to the blue sky, where silence is absolute and the air is clear.
Walking in Turkey has long been a problem due to lack of maps, but in Lycia, on the south coast between Fethiye and Antalya (map), there is a newly marked long distance walking route. So, if you fancy walking something different, new and also old (there are plenty of 2000 year old plus historical sites on the route), here’s how….
First, check out this web site: walk.to/lycianway.
Second, decide when. Best season is spring, because of the flowers, the birds and the snow which still covers the highest peaks. Autumn is second best, with plenty of swimming and not-too-strenuous strolls in the sun. But even in summer, the eastern part, which climbs up into cedar forest, and wriggles between canyons, is OK.
Third, decide where. In general, the route starts easy and gets harder. It can be broken up into a few sections:
You need overnight gear (in places you have to camp out); food and water, and good boots. Travel light, but be careful and obey commonsense rules:
But other rules are less obvious:
The book of the route, with maps, will be out soon. For further information, feel free to contact me:
Kate Clow
Ph: (90) 242 243 1148
kateclow@ixir.com
