Overnight stay is in tents in the woods nearby the city.
The beginning of the journey is full of impressions as civilization gradually changes into rural landscapes. Then, when the group reaches the coast in the afternoon everyone can enjoy sea views. Along the way we can see big vegetable plantations of Mavikent, the famous Pirate Bay and seaside town Karaoz. You can also enjoy swimming in the sea, if it is the high time – tasting juicy oranges right from the trees and having an overnight stay at the beach.
There is the last swim in the sea in the morning and we continue to move. At Cape Gelidonya we can see the old lighthouse, built by the French in 1936 asrough sea had caused a lot of shipwrecks at that place. And opposite the lighthouse we can admire the view of Besh Adalar islands. Then the route goes through wooded hills so we can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the sea.
After spending the night at an altitude we descend to the sea, to the town of Adrasan where we stop for an hour or two. The bay from all sides is surrounded with high mountains and is renowned for its incredible sunrise. There you can swim in the sea, sunbathe and taste the local delicacy. After having a rest we continue our trip toward the mountains. During the rise you will see beautiful natural pools which were washed out by river water. Rocks are almost white and in the water they seem to be blue. On the mountain range there are breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. Overnight stay is in the forest.
That day’s plan is to rest. In the morning we descend from the mountains and go exploring the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos. Now the once powerful Lycian city is only majestic ruins, remnants of the Genoese fortress and walls, ancient theater and sarcophagi, remains of the temple, wineries and so on. Right behind Olympos there is Cirali beach near the village with the same name.In the village there are restaurants and hostels, so you can spend a comfortable night. Cirali Beach is very beautiful: the mountains from the sea are separated with the orange, lemon and pomegranate gardens and Pinuspinea or Italian pines are all over the beach. In summer turtles swim here to lay their eggs and therefore the beach is a natural reserve. Nearby the beach we can put up out tents and in the evening we go on another tour to “fire mount” Yanatras or Chimaera as it is sometimes called on the top of which there is a flame.According to a legend, a terrible monster Chimera was defeated by a Greek hero Bellerophon and his winged hours Pegasus trampled it into the ground. Since then Chimera has been spewing flames from the ground. Actually there is constantly burning natural gas. The spectacle of fire burning directly from the ground looks particularly impressive at night.
After a day of rest we begin mountainous route. The next two days the road is only up away from the sea and towards the highest point of our route – Mount Tahtali. At the beginning of the day we have one more excursion to the “ire mount” Yanatras, lor Chimaera. According to a legend, a terrible monster Chimera was defeated by a Greek hero Bellerophon and his winged hours Pegasus trampled it into the ground. Since then Chimera has been spewing flames from the ground. Actually there is constantly burning natural gas. The spectacle of fire burning directly from the ground looks particularly impressive at night. Then route then goes along picturesque stream, past bath hut. We spend the following night near the village of Ulupinar, where trout are bred. In the local restaurant you can enjoy freshly cooked fish.
Elevation per day – 280 m.
That day is more difficult than the previous one, we gain altitude. The trail goes through open lawns and wooded slopes, past mountain village Beidzhyk, where you can see the mosque are interesting restaurants in the trees. The night is in a cozy valley, hidden from the wind. There, far from the sea, you can enjoy magnificent views of the mountain ranges. As we spend the night in the mountains, where is constantly lower temperature, you need warm clothes.
Elevation per day – 1500 m.
To have a successful trip we should go early in the morning as the weather in the mountains is changeable, a sunny morning can change to stormy afternoon, so we are going to get back till noon. Backpacks are left at the camp. The trail to the top goes along rocky and crumbly paths with snow at times. On the top there are views on the Mediterranean coast and our route. The exiting thing is that to the top of Tahtali there is a
cableway which is 4350 m long and with 1639 m of height difference. A return ticket in 2015 was 32 EUR. From December to March the mountain is covered with snow, so in this period we suggest
trekking along Lycian Way without climbing Tahtali. In the afternoon we take our backpacks and go down towards the village Hedelme.
Elevation per day – 350 m.
The route goes toward the canyon Goynuk. On the way we pass the ruins of the Genoese fortress, a cave grotto, and a few 200-year-old plane trees. Beyond the village the way goes up to Chukur-yaila. The trail winds through forest and bushes that hide the travelers from the heat. In the afternoon the road gets straighter, occasionally there are views of the narrow valley of canyon Goynuk.
Canyon Goynuk is a very picturesque gorge, whose walls reach the height of 350 meters, width – 6 m, and length – 14 km. However it is impossible to go through the entire canyon as there are inaccessible cliffs now and then. In the morning we have a bit extreme tour with climbing the giant boulders and crossing a ford. A few kilometers ahead there is equipped and most beautiful part of the canyon – Harmony which has paths with railings and tables with chairs. The color of water in the canyon just captures with the impressive shades of blue.
After seeing the canyon we go several kilometers through Goynuk village and to the motorway where we can either go to Antalya by public transport or spend the night on the beach and leave the city next morning.
If someone wants to continue the rest at the sea there are plenty of both wildlife and equipped beaches in Antalya at your disposal.