lycian way eastern part

Hiking the Eastern Lycian Way

April - May 2025

7 days

campsites

up to 15 km per day

Why the Lycian Way? 

Friends, let's go on a week-long hike along the famous eastern part of the Lycian Way. Imagine: you are going on a week-long hike along the eastern part of the famous Lycian Way, where every day brings new discoveries. The route will start in the Goynuk canyons, pass through ancient forests and mountains, and end at the cozy beaches of the village of Cirali. Are you ready for the journey? Let's go on the route!

For our trip we chose the rich and diverse eastern part from the Goynuk canyons to the village of Cirali on the Mediterranean coast. What to see in hiking along the Lycian Way? 

Difficulty level: average

Features of the Eastern Lycian Way

If you love adventure and nature, the Eastern Lycian Way is a great choice for a hike. This route starts in the cozy resort village of Goynuk, but true adventurers can go on the trail a little earlier - in the climbing spot of Geyikbayiri. The end of the route is in the small village of Karaoz. The convenient location of the trail near Antalya attracts many Russian tourists: its beginning can be reached in an hour by bus.
This section of the Lycian Way is for those who value solitude with nature and are not afraid of climbs. There are more mountain trails, breathtaking views and places where you can feel the spirit of the wild nature. Be prepared for a route of medium difficulty, where picturesque views open up behind the passes and steep climbs, and below - the endless coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

Lycian Way Tour Program

Day 1

We gather a group in Antalya, visit an exchange office, a store, and begin the route from the Goynuk Canyons. We will walk through an old coniferous forest, warm up, gain 600 m of altitude and set up camp near a mountain river with fresh water. Hiking the Lycian Way 

Distance: 10 km
Set: 640 m

Lycian Way East Part - Photo 1

Day 2

We'll make our way through the canyon, where we can see brook trout, and go out onto a trail with views of Goynuk and the surrounding mountains. If we're lucky, we'll see land turtles))) At this site, a cafe with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice and delicious cuisine will be waiting for us, from which we will take a transfer to the village of Gedelme with a 2000-year-old tree and an old castle. We will meditatively go to the foot of Mount Takhtali, where we will spend the night and gain strength for the third day of the journey. See also all our Lycian Way tours

Distance: 20 km
Set: 1 m

Day 3 TOUR along the Lycian Way

Having passed through centuries-old cedars and cypresses, Mount Takhtali will appear before us. Having left some of our things, we will go to its top, to a height of 2 meters. A climb of about 365m awaits us, so we can easily enjoy the Martian landscapes of this mountain. From the top there is an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea and all the coastal villages. Next, our path will go through an ancient forest with Lebanese cedars. Going down, we get to a very atmospheric cafe on wooden stilts.
From the cafe we ​​will take a transfer to the village of Tekirova, where we will heroically, but briefly return to civilization and stay overnight in one of the campsites))) Why choose our hike along the Lycian Way? See the article

Distance: 18 km
Set: 950 m

Sights of the Eastern Lycian Way

There are many natural monuments in this area that amaze with their beauty. Here are just a few of them.

Goynuk Canyon is a six-kilometer-long gorge with a river flowing through it and small waterfalls falling from the cliffs. The canyon is located on the territory of a national park, and a fee is charged for visiting. Here you can either simply walk along the lake or go on an exciting excursion along the river. For this, tourists are offered to rent wetsuits and go on an excursion with a guide, moving along the water to the beginning of the canyon. The trail goes along the canyon, so you can leave your backpacks and enjoy swimming surrounded by rocks.

Grove of Lebanese (Taurus) Cedars. On the slopes of Mount Tahtalı you will find a grove of rare Taurus cedars, which grow here at an altitude of 1600 meters. These trees are a real relic, as they are extremely rare in the wild. The cedar grove creates a special atmosphere of privacy and gives a feeling of touching antiquity. The trees rise to the sky, stretching their thick branches, and remind us of the times when this land was wild and unknown.

Day 4

The Martian landscapes of Tahtala and ancient forests give way to paradise bays with edible cacti and sea anemones. An excellent opportunity to close the swimming season in a warm and clean sea. Swimming goggles will come in handy)) Having passed several bays on the way to the village of Ciraly, we will stay overnight in one of these heavenly places. Where, to the sound of the surf, everyone can relax and be alone with themselves.

Distance: 13 km
Set: 300 m

Day 5

I see the goal - I see no obstacles! Our next stop is the village of Cirali. On the way there, we will find many beautiful bays, each of which will tempt us to stay in them at least for a short time. We will finish our day in the bungalow of the village of Cirali. Having been there once, you will definitely want to go back there. Fresh pomegranate juice, beautiful sea, delicious cuisine, good coffee, endlessly green streets and a complete absence of tourist alleys with local barkers. Review hiking along the Lycian trail

Distance: 16 km
Set: 500 m

Lycian Way East Part - Photo 20

Lights of Chimera

Chimera, or Yanartaş, is a mountain covered in eternal flames. Flames shoot up from underground and burn right on the surface. The fire is the result of a natural process. Methane seeps through the porous rock and, when it meets oxygen, spontaneously ignites. This geological feature has given rise to many legends. Some believe that the Chimera, the mythical monster from the Iliad, lived here. Others associate the fire with ancient Olympus and the first Olympic Games.

The Chimera Lights are best viewed in the evening. They are almost invisible during the day, but as soon as it gets dark, they begin to flicker against the night sky. Locals and tourists like to gather around fires here. Some even roast sausages and marshmallows on the fire. But we advise preserving the natural beauty and using the Chimera Lights for cooking only as a last resort - if you run out of fuel.

Lycian Way East Part - Photo 21

Day 6

We will visit 2 famous places at once, the description of which can be found in old myths and legends: the ancient city of Olympos and the famous Lights of Chimera. These locations motivate many to go on the Lycian Way. The day will be eventful and active. Don't forget about the freshest pomegranate juice and invigorating Turkish tea)))

Distance: 13 km
Set: 300 m

Day 7. The final day of hiking along the Lycian Way

A day of rest, relaxation and pride in the journey we have made. We swim in the sea, recover, say goodbye to the soulful village of Cirali and go to Antalya, which is already familiar to us. On the road, you can remember that behind you are 100 km on foot with an ascent of almost 3500 m along the eastern part of the Lycian Way, surrounded by people who have become close during the hike. This trip will remain in the memory for many years.  Lycian Way eastern part — an optimal tour that combines the sea and mountainous parts of Turkey.

Gelidonya Lighthouse 

The cape offers a breathtaking view of the sea and five small islands that seem to drift in the distance. The lighthouse stands at a height of 227 meters and is visible from afar, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the sun is reflected in its glass body.

Built in 1936, this lighthouse is a modern structure by ancient Lycian standards, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. It used to be operated by a lighthouse keeper, but now it has solar panels and an automatic spotlight. You can't go inside, but it's a great idea to walk up to the lighthouse and take some nice photos.

The lighthouse can only be reached on foot, which makes this place even more special. There are two ways: the first is to walk 15 kilometers along the trail from the village of Andrasan. The second is to walk from the village of Karaoz along a dirt road and mountain slopes. The route is not difficult, but along the way you will be accompanied by stunning views.

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Lycian Way Tour Variations

All our hiking along the Lycian Way. If you want a lighter version of a hike along the Lycian Way, then see the hike program along Lycian Way without backpacks Review hiking along the Lycian trail. Most interesting places of the Lycian trail 

Guide to the Lycian Way

We have prepared a special guide to the Lycian Way for you, you can familiarize yourself with the sights Lycian Way in this article.

Equipment for trekking the Lycian Way

- thermal T-shirt/short sleeve T-shirt (2 pcs)
- shirt or thermal jacket with long sleeves (1-2 pcs)
- thin fleece jacket
- storm membrane jacket (wind and water resistant)
- underwear in reasonable quantities
- walking pants (made of lightweight, quick-drying, breathable fabric)
- shorts
- walking socks (2-4 pairs)
- fleece hat (may come in handy when spending the night under the Takhtaly pass).

- trekking shoes or boots (the trails in many areas are very uneven and rocky, so if you are not 100 percent confident in your ankles, it is better to go in specialized trekking shoes that reduce the risk of injury);
- Crocs, flip-flops or other light beach shoes.

-swimwear
towel (preferably light and quick-drying microfiber)

-backpack (volume 60-70 l will be enough)
-waterproof cover for the backpack (rains are very likely in October-November)

-mat for sleeping (any one will do)

-sleeping bag (in terms of comfort temperature, I would guide you to somewhere around +5: down on the coast it can be hot and you will have to sleep unbuttoned or partially covered from above, but at overnight stays above 1000 meters in November it will already be cool)

-trekking poles

- sunglasses,
- Panama hat (preferably with neck protection)

- a headlamp with batteries (each participant should have one)
— seat/kick
- knife, mug, bowl, spoon, plastic bottle for water (can be purchased on site).

- passport in sealed packaging
- money, bank card in sealed packaging
- printed insurance
- a mobile phone and a charger for it (a power bank for recharging would also be useful)
- a camera and spare batteries for it (or a charger, the possibility of recharging will be every 2-3 days).

- personal first aid kit (sterile bandage, bactericidal adhesive plaster, Nurofen, Ketanov, Lomilan or another antihistamine, activated carbon or smecta, Enterofuril for intestinal infections, Amoxiclav as a general antibiotic, plus “favorite” medications for individual diseases)

- sun cream
— I recommend taking Compeed or another hydrocolloid plaster for wet calluses

- toilet paper
- soap
- toothpaste and toothbrush
- other hygiene supplies as needed

Ideally, the weight of personal belongings (including the weight of a backpack and boots) should be within 8-9 kg.

If you gain more than 10 kg, then most likely you have overdone something, and you may have a hard time. Keep in mind that on certain crossings we will have to carry a lot of drinking water with us (1-1,5 liters per person), since sources of fresh water are sometimes absent for 4-5 hours. Plus add to this tents and food (from 2 to 4 kg in different areas). For the latter, there should be enough free space in your backpacks.

So don't add too much. This also applies to snacks. In Turkey, you can buy almost everything in local stores (which will be found every 2-3 days). There is no need to bring nuts/dried fruits/cookies/chocolates with you from home for the entire trip. You can still take it for a couple of days, but nothing more.

It wouldn't hurt to pack all your things in sealed bags or regular plastic bags.

Videos from hikes along the Lycian Way

Package PLUS

Package Standard

Guest House Package

cost of the tour along the lycian way

Plastic bag Standard 395$

GEL 1118
RUB 40401
USDT 407

Plastic bag Plus 435$

GEL 1231
RUB 44492
USDT 448

Tour without backpacks 680$

GEL 1924
RUB 69550
USDT 700

BOOK A TOUR ON THE LYCIAN TRAIL

IMPORTANT TO KNOW when hiking the Lycian Way

To book a tour, a mandatory prepayment of 50% of the tour cost is required.
The remaining 50% is due at least 7 days before the start of the tour.

Refunds of prepayment/payment are made if you cancel the tour at least 15 days in advance.
If you cancel the tour less than 15 days in advance, the prepayment/payment is not refunded or transferred.

 

We provide equipment rental in all our hikes, and you can also read, where can I buy equipment in Tbilisi.

Svaneti is a great mountain region for winter skiing. Here you will find both high mountains and spacious fields for off-piste skiing on a snowboard or skis. There is a great freeride skiing area here. Svaneti and freeride are simply incredible forests and open fields with a sufficient slope.  

Svaneti is famous for its remoteness and authenticity, you will never meet crowds of tourists here, it is always snowy and pleasant to ski on and off-piste. The rich culture of the region is reflected in this incredible corner of Georgia. 


Also, if you want to relax closer to the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, we offer you ski tours in Gudauri or ski tour to Goderdzi 

We offer about 4 different programs in Svaneti in winter, for every taste for any rider from a beginner to a confident pro.