Lycian Way Trekking 8 Day Demre-Gelidonya Light House- Olympos

Demre-Belören-Alakilise-Beymelek – Known as St.Nicholas Way

Distance :  16 km

Leaving Demre on the northern outskirts, take the tarmac road east past Myra. Up to the junction on the migration path(Gavur Yolu) to Belören there are 5 km monotonous asphalt road through populated area.

 The path that rises by drawing zigzags on the stone-paved paths of the Lycians, which the local people call the Gavur road, accompanied by magnificent views, continues through the pine and oak trees until the village of Belören. After a short break in Beleören Village, we continue our walk towards Alakilise, the next stop on the route. (The ancient Greek inscription dated 812, also known as the Alakilise or Gabriel Church, of which only parts of its walls survived, indicates that this church was dedicated to Archangel Gabriel and was repaired at the beginning of the 9th century. the holy temple was repaired (reconsecrated).

We descend through the forest along the St. Nicholas Way passing by ruins of another beautiful church while enjoying views over the Demre plain and Beymelek lagoon.

Dinner and overnight in Beymelek

Beymelek-Boldağ-Finike

Distance :  18 km

after a breakfast at the hotel. we will start walking around the lagoon to the departure point for the trail. Todays trail is consist of ascending and descendings and passes by some historical ruins and ends in the Finike town. we will meet our transfer car and drive to the Karaöz where we will spend the night.

Finike-Karaöz- Gelidonya Light House-Adrasan

Distance : 25 km

Lycian Way is undoubtedly one of the most important hiking routes in Turkey. How can this historical trail, which brings together nature lovers with stunning views, not be at the top of the list?

This route, which is located on the Lycian Way and includes the famous Gelidonya Lighthouse, starts from Mavikent -Karaoz and extends to the beach of Adrasan. You start at sea level and gradually climb up. As your height increases, of course, the views you witness are another pleasure. We will have a  pause at Gelidonya Lighthouse and take some cool photos,  After taking a break at the lighthouse, we will continue this awesome trail to the mediterranean’s heavenly town Adrasan,

The 2 km. beautiful golden sandy beach, the nature, mountains with pine forests at the background make Adrasan one of the most beautiful places in the area. We will spend the rest of the day swimming and sunbathing, accommodation is going to be in this miracolous place.

Adrasan- Musa Mount-Olympos
Distance : 16 km

Starting from the stream bed in Adrasan, A sustained and steep climb takes us to Phoinikous before descending Olympos.

A fairly challenging walk up and over Moses Mountain today, but well rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Zigzag uphill through shaded forests to a pass at 700 metres, before heading down through pine woods on a winding path.  The route descends through a tunnel-like stretch of strawberry trees before reaching the early settlement of Olimpos on Musa Mountain.

For lunch, stop at the foot of the adjacent Tahtalı Dağı, a mountain also known as Lycian Olympus. After an extensive rest, take on the steep and rocky descent to the ruins of Olympos, an ancient Lycian city.

The ancient city of Olympos was one of the 8 big Lycian cities in the history and is much bigger than you see while walking to the beach. The city is divided into two main parts with a river as south and north.

About Olympos

The Olympos harbour is also known as a “pirate center” in history because it stayed under the control of pirates for almost 100 years and was saved by the Roman Commander Isauricus. The temple gate, the theatre, the southern and northern necropolis, the necropolis church, the entrance complex, the alcestis sarcophagus, the monumental graves of the harbour, the harbour basilica, the southern slope settlement, the bathhouse with mosaic pavements and the agora that have reached today from ancient times, are the important structures worth to see. The excavations are still going on in the city.

Accommodation in Olympos

Olympos – Cirali-Ulupinar-Olympos

Distance : 16 km

Mount Olympos, ( 2.366m) also called Tahtalı dağı is part of the Lycian Way The views from the top are fabulous. the city of Olympos dates from 200 BC. The ruins are scattered through dense forest and are quiet for an area of such historical significance.

A short loop starting in Cirali and following the beach up to the Olympos ruins before doubling back and joining a quiet road to the foot of Mount Chimera and then a stone path to the flames of chimera before circling back the way you came to return to Cirali.

Yanartas (Chimaera), known as the place of flames, is a fascinating natural rocky formation located along Cirali village, on Mount Chimaera slopes, close to Olympos Valley,

There is a small stream running through it that used to be a mighty river up which large ships could moor to trade goods and services. Following this, you will walk to see the eternal flame of chimera, said to be the home of the mythical half goat, half snake fire-breathing monster of Greek legend. Take the many steps up to the chimera flame which has been burning for over 2500 years, where the mountain appears to be on fire.

The Legend of Chimaera

According to one of the great myths of Greeks, the monster called the Chimaera (Khimaira) was a fire breathing monster, part lion, goat and snake.
Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. It has three heads, none of them is that of a goat, only a main human head, a lion’s head facing forward and placed on the chest of the lion’s body, and a snake’s head placed at the end of the tail.

The Lycian King sends the young boy named Bellerophontes to fight with the fire breathing monster. Bellerophontes goes to the fight with his horse with wings named Pegassos. While Chimaera attacks Pegassos rises and when Bellerophontes goes down, he hits Chimaera with his spear and buries the monster into the seven depths of the ground. Chiemaera continues to breath fire since than.

Çıralı – Kings Bay (Kral Koyu)-Boncuk Bay-Maden Bay-Çıralı

Distance : 10 km

This part of the Lycian Way consists entirely of paths accompanied by unique sea and pine trees views. We will enjoy the sea and nature to the fullest with our walk that starts in Çıralı, after a swimming break in Boncuk Bay, day continues swimming and resting breaks in Kral Bay and Mine Bay. Although this part of the Lycian road continues from Çıralı Bay to Tekirova, we will complete our activity by returning to our starting point from Maden Bay.

complete the hiking the most beautiful section of the lycian way fethiye, transfer to the bus station or to the airport regarding to your onward destination.

see you on your next wonderful adventure