The Lycian Way
540 kmfull route
4–10days per section
Swimmost days, in season
Apr–May · Sep–Novbest windows
Turkey's flagship trail runs the Teke peninsula between Fethiye and Antalya — pine forest, turquoise coves, mountain villages, and the ruins of ancient Lycia scattered along the way like someone lost them. You'll walk through amphitheatres and past rock tombs that would be fenced-off national monuments anywhere else; here they're often yours alone.
It's rockier and wilder underfoot than the English trails — proper boots, real ascents — but the rewards are Mediterranean: a swim at the end of a hot stage, village breakfasts, pension owners who treat walkers like returning family.
Walk it ifYou want drama — coastline, ruins, mountains — and the idea of swimming after a day's walk sounds like the whole point.
Look elsewhere ifYou want gentle groomed paths and a pub every four miles. This is the wilder end of the network.
Pair it with boats, guides and tours on the same coast: explorelycia.com.