St Paul trail & the Lycian way east

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival Antalya

  Meet at the Antalya airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the hotel located in the old city centre, known as Kaleici. It is uncertain when the site of the current city was first inhabited. Attalos II, king of Pergamon, was believed to have founded the city around 150 BC, but excavations have uncovered remains dating to the 3^rd century BC, suggesting that the city was founded earlier than previously supposed. The city grew and prospered during the ancient roman period and today includes sites with traces of Lycian, Pamphylian, Hellenistic -but mainly Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman-architecture and cultures.                  

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 15 km (Antalya airport - Antalya Kaleici)

  ON: in Antalya city centre at the hotel

  Meals:   - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Antalya to Beskonak (Koprulu national park) via ancient Aspendos

  After breakfast we leave Antalya and drive to Beskonak, on our way we visit Aspendos, known for having the best-preserved theatre of antiquity. Nearby stand the remains of a basilica, agora, nymphaeum (a monument) and 15 kilometres of a Roman aqueduct. We also visit the Roman Eurymedon Bridge, reconstructed in the 13^th century, which is also in the vicinity. In the late afternoon we arrive in the village of Beskonak where we spend the night at a nice pension.

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 90 km (Antalya – Beskonak via Aspendos)       

  ON: in Beskonak village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Via Beskonak to ancient Selge

  The Koprulu national park covers an area of around 366 km² and its canyon is 400m deep in some places and stretches for 14 km along the Kopru River. The valley is rich of wild beauty in flora and fauna, including red pine, black pine, cedar, fir, oak varieties and wild olives. The Roman Oluklu Bridge (Olukluköprü) over the canyon and the Bugrum Bridge over the Kocadere stream were engineering feats of their time.

  Today a fantastic hike awaits us as we climb up on walking paths and gravel roads up to ancient site of Selge, an important city in Pisidia on the southern slope of Mount Taurus. The remains of the city consist mainly of parts of the encircling wall and of the acropolis. Other important ruins are the gymnasium, the stoa, the stadium and a basilica. There are also the outlines of two temples, but the best conserved monument is the theatre.      

  In the late afternoon we drive back to our over overnight accommodation in Beskonak village.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: 10 km; ascent: 742m; descent: 66m

  ON: in Beskonak village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Hike to Caltepe

  Today we drive back to Selge, where 5 minutes later we come to the start of today’s trek, which follow a mixture of tracks, dirt roads and old roman roads. The area is today part of the Koprulu national park as well and famous for his mature forests. We pass the small villages Ören, Delisarnic and Kestanelik (Kestane means chestnuts). The last part of the way we walk on small shepherd’s paths. It is only during the summertime possible to meet some shepherds grazing their animals. At the end of our trek we reach the village of Caltepe and spend the night here in a small family run guest house.

  Walking time: 7 - 8 h; walking distance: 13 km; ascent: 215m; descent: 675m

  ON: in Caltepe village at a family run guest house

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Caltepe to Kasimlar via Kesme

  A short transfer takes us to our starting point close to Kesme village. We drive on asphalted mountain roads through the national park offering beautiful views down to Koprulu River, used for wild water rafting during summertime.

  In Kesme village we start our hike following fields and pastures and walk on tractor roads until we reach a small pass at Belsarnic. From the pass we walk down to Kasimlar village where we spend the night in a small village pension.

  Walking time: 6 h; walking distance: 11 km; ascent: 253m; descent: 582m

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 40 km (Caltepe - Kesme)

  ON: in Kasimlar village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Kasimlar to Lake Egirdir via Tota yaylasi, Yenikoy and Adada

  After a short transfer we start our final trek on dirt tractor roads leading us to Tota yaylasi forest park. Afterward the route continues around the end of the Sarp Dagi to a spring on a large yayla.

  From here we follow stabilized old village roads and walking paths to Yenikoy village where our vehicle is already waiting to drive us to the ruins of Adada, called by the locals also as Baulo or Karabaulo, supposed to be named by St. Paul. The main attractions are the remains of an acropolis, the Hellenistic towers, the basilica and a theatre.

  Via Adada we follow a dry riverbed and later a spectacular bit of old roman road, a great way to finish the hiking part of the holiday. Just below the village of Sagrak we meet the main road where our vehicle is waiting and drive to Egirdir town near Egirdir Lake where we spend the night in a small pension.

  Walking time: 8 h; walking distance: 15 km; ascent: 104m; descent: 374m

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 10 km (Kasimlar – Tota Yaylasi)

  Transfer time: 10 min. (Yenikoy – Adada)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 km (Adada - Egirdir)

  ON: in Egirdir at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Via ancient Sagalassos to Kas

  We leave Egirdir after breakfast and drive towards Kas, on the way take time for a stop at ancient Sagalassos, in Roman Imperial times known as the 'first city of Pisidia'. Sagalassos excavations started in 1990 and a large number of buildings, monuments and other archaeological remains have been exposed, documenting the monumental aspect of the Hellenistic, Roman and early Byzantine history of this town. Today the site is known as one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the country, featuring a huge Roman bath complex, a library, an urban mansion with more than 80 rooms and a theatre with seating for up to 9000 people, as well as other fantastic monuments from the city’s 1000 year history.

  In the late afternoon we arrive in Kas, a small fishing, yachting and tourist town; a quiet pleasant place with its blue sea and narrow streets scented with jasmine flowers and with plenty of little quiet cafes to relax.           

  Transfer time: 4 h; transfer distance: 310 km; (Minare village – Kas)

  ON: in Kas at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Via Saribelen to Gokceoren

  In the morning we drive to the village of Saribelen where we start our walk following the Lycian way. We first follow a stabilised road and after a short while, we reach a very nice gravel path with characteristic white stones. The path leads us towards Teknedagi Mountains; after crossing a green valley we continue our walk in a fairy tale landscape between big rocks, big caves and hidden bird nests. We cross a second plateau and a beautiful path leads us up to a fantastic view point over the sea where we take time to enjoy the view over the islands of Meis, Fener and Kilise. Afterwards we walk down through a beautiful valley until we reach another great viewpoint over the sea. We pass the remains of an old roman village and walk down a rocky path and reach the village of Gokceoren where our vehicle awaits us. Afterwards we drive back to Kas where we spend the night at the hotel.  

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 9 km; ascent: 300m; descent: 200m

  Transfer time: 40 min.; transfer distance: 25 km (Kas to Saribelen)

  ON: in Kas at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 9

  Kapakli village to Simena castle

  We start our walk in Kapakli village with a beautiful view over the bay and the sea. We walk gently down over a gravel road until we reach the small primary school of the village. From here we continue our hike and enjoy the beautiful view to the bay down below. Over a green pasture we reach the sign that shows us the direction of Ucagiz. We follow a sandy path with rocks and walk between olive trees until we cross another green plain. Afterwards we enter a rocky path and continue our hike through green grass plains and between olive trees until we reach the remains of a historic olive factory from the Ottoman times and the bay of Gokkaya. Here we will take time to have lunch and to swim, if the weather conditions allow. After lunch we gently go up on a rocky path with a nice view over the bay and continue walking next to the turquoise sea and the small islands in the bay, which seem very close now. After reaching a green plain we can see the castle of Simena at the horizon. After reaching the coastal village we take time to visit the castle itself, built by the Byzantines in the middle ages to fight the pirates who nested in Kekova. Simena contains a small theatre and numerous rock tombs. The castle offers beautiful views to the village of Kalekoy (castle village) down below, some of the old houses were completely submerged due to earthquakes during the Byzantine period and you can see remains down to 2m deep, in the bluish light on the seabed. In the late afternoon we drive back to Kas where we spend the night at the hotel.

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 8 km; ascent: 10m; descent: 50m

  Transfer time: 40 min.; transfer distance: 35 km (Kas to Kapakli village)

  ON: in Kas at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 10

  Via Bayindir village to the ancient remains of Apollonia

  After breakfast we drive to the starting point of today’s walk above the village of Bayindir. We first walk on a broad gravel road and later continue down with a view over the bay, the hills and woods in front of us. In the valley on our right, we will see the old Greek town of Ufak Dere and further away we the island of Meis. Via small paths and broad gravel roads, along thyme bushes, olive and laurel trees, through a pine forest and at the end parallel to the sea we reach the bay of Gemiler where we can have lunch and enjoy a swim. Over a straight broad gravel path we reach the point where our minibus awaits us to drive us to the ancient remains of Apollonia. The city is not mentioned by any ancient author but the pillar tombs in the necropolis to the north of the city attest to a Lycian origin of the settlement. The ruins of a Byzantine church possibly date to the 6^th or 7^th century AD, so the city was still occupied at that time.

  In the late afternoon/early evening we drive back to Kas where we spend the night at the hotel.

  Walking time: 5 h; walking distance: 10 km; ascent: 275m; descent: 160m

  Transfer time: 10 min.; transfer distance: 10 km (Kas - Bayindir)

  Transfer time: 30 min.; transfer distance: 25 km (Bogazcik/Apollonia – Kas)

  ON: in Kas at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 11

  Ucagiz/Kekova tour by boat with sunken city & Tersane Island - drive via ancient Myra to Adrasan

  Kekova area is a great place for the coastal scenery as well as for the archaeological sites well preserved because they are not easily accessible. A pleasant excursion by boat is the best way to see the ruins on the northern coast of Kekova island, some of the old houses were completely submerged due to earthquakes during the Byzantine period. By boat, we go round the island, where you can see remains down to 2 meters deep, in the bluish light on the seabed. You will fully appreciate this day with a stroll on the Tersane Island.

  On our way to Adrasan we also visit Myra; according to Strabo one of the largest towns of the Lycian alliance; the ancient city consist an impressive necropolis including tombs of rulers and family members and a large Roman amphitheatre. In the late afternoon we arrive back in Adrasan, a pleasant small settlement with a two km long sand beach; an attractive choice for those who like to have a swim in the sea.

  Ucagiz/Kekova tour by boat: approximately 3 h                                                               

  Transfer time: 1 - 2 h; transfer distance: 115 km (Kas – Adrasan via Ucagiz/Kekova & Myra ancient city)

  ON: in Adrasan at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 12

  Adrasan to Karaöz via Gelidonya lighthouse

  A simply superb day of coastal walking awaits us, as we begin today’s hike from our accommodation climbing steadily to a pass at 470 metres. Then dropping down closer to the sea’s edge, the route twists and turns amongst limestone crags, sometimes under pine trees and sometimes on the cliff edge. There are views down to hidden coves and across to desert islands. This is a beautiful walk contouring the range of hills which forms the backbone of Gelidonya. We climb again to arrive on a rocky ridge crest overlooking the peninsula of cape Gelidonya with its two lighthouses. Descending a stony path to the upper of these we then follow a wide trail down through pine forest to our waiting vehicle and drive back to Adrasan where we spend the night.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: 18 km; ascent: 400m; descent: 400m

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 14 km (Gelidonya/Karaöz – Adrasan)                                                       

  ON: in Adrasan at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 13

  Cirali to Ulupinar via flames of the Chimaira - drive to Antalya

  Today’s walk takes us through a beautiful pine forest with nice streams, rivers and viewpoints. There is a short transfer to the starting point in Cirali, where we pick up the Lycian way and continue to follow the trail north. We climb up to a small hill and follow the walking path to the flames of Chimaira, called in Turkish Yanartas (flaming rock). The spot consists of some two dozen vents in the ground, grouped in two patches on the hillside. The vents emit methane thought to be of metamorphic origin. In ancient times sailors could navigate by the flames. After following the stream for a while, we arrive in Ulupinar village where our vehicle is already waiting for us.

  In the late afternoon we arrive in Antalya where it is possible to walk through the old city centre (Kaleici); with its narrow cobbled streets of historic Ottoman era houses; with streets and buildings still bear the marks of Antalya’s history. The old city centre has been restored to retain much of its historical character; most famous the Hadrian’s gate, the clock tower, Yivli Minare and Hidirlik tower.

  Walking time: 3 - 4 h; walking distance: 9 km; ascent: 330m; descent: 190m;

  Transfer time: 1 - 2 h; transfer distance: 80 km (Ulupinar – Antalya)

  ON: in Antalya city centre at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 14

  Trip concludes at Antalya airport

  After breakfast; transfer to Antalya airport where the trip concludes.                                                                                       

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 15 km (Antalya Kaleici – Antalya airport)

  Meals: B / - / -