Lycia: Mountain and Sea
About this trip.
Walking the Lycian Way through pine and limestone
The Lycian Way runs along Turkey's southern coast, but the section traced by this six-night route doesn't start at the sea. It begins in the mountains above Antalya, on shaded pine paths under Tahtali — the highest peak in the area — and works its way down to the Mediterranean across five walking days. The pay-off is the contrast: cedar-scented forest one morning, the Kilidonya peninsula and clear water the next.
This is a self-guided trip with five walking days of 6½ to 18km, between five and seven and three-quarter hours on the trail. There aren't really any shortening options, and the terrain is hard underfoot — limestone, scree, steep gradients. Past walkers describe it as more demanding than they'd expected. It's a route for people who already know how their legs feel after a long mountain day.
The route, day by day
The first night is in Antalya. After a transfer up into the hills, day one is a short warm-up to the remote village of Yayla Kuzdere. The morning after is the hardest of the week: a climb over the saddle below Tahtali, then a long descent to Beycik, where the night is spent at a small boutique hotel with a pool and a sun-blessed terrace. From here the route works its way down to the coast and on to Cirali, where the ruins of ancient Olympos lie just back from the beach. The final stretches take in Adrasan and the wooded peninsula out to Kilidonya lighthouse — long miles with no one on the path, then a swim at the end of them.
The hosts at the village stops are part of the trip rather than a bonus to it. Walkers come back talking about being invited to breakfast with a Turkish family on the Olympos plateau, tea with a shepherd above Adrasan, pomegranate juice from a farmer whose family have worked the same patch for two centuries.
Bookings and what's included
On Foot Holidays runs this as a six-night self-guided itinerary from £1035. The accommodation, most meals at the village stops, luggage transfers between bases and the route notes (delivered via the operator's app, which past walkers say is genuinely useful on the trail) are all included. International flights and the Antalya transfers at either end are arranged separately.
Most people add at least one extra night somewhere: a second day in Beycik to taxi over to the Roman harbour ruins at Phaselis, or a longer pause at Cirali or Adrasan to swim. A night or two in old Antalya at either end is worth the addition too. The walking season runs spring and autumn — May and the September-October window are the obvious choices, with the high heat of summer best avoided.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for walking holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every walking day
- ✓Detailed route notes with maps and GPX files
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches — typically a village picnic or café stop
- ×Some evening meals — depends on the specific itinerary
- ×Alcohol beyond any wine included with set dinners
- ×Optional room or transfer upgrades
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
Other walking holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
