Essentials
Metrics
Select the tab below corresponding to the direction you plan to walk.
Towards Gelemiş:
Towards Akbel:
Handy Things to Know
The following notes are gathered from our own experiences and from feedback sent to us by other hikers. Let us know how we can improve these notes – and thanks!
Wayfinding
- Sometimes way-finding can be a bit confusing close to Gelemiş. You should generally be able to figure out where to go , though.
Water
- There’s no reliable water between the endpoints so top-up before departing.
Highlights
- Delikkemer is very impressive and worth spending some time exploring.
- Once at Gelemiş, set aside some time for exploration of the large Patara ruins site and maybe consider a swim at Patara’s excellent sandy beach.
Tips
- The trail passes a location where there tends to be a lot of bee houses. You’ll sometimes see the beekeepers there tending to them.
- Much of the trail is lined with (and sometimes overgrown with) sharp plants – long pants are recommended.
Route Planning
- The Lycian Way does a loop between Delikkemer and Gelemiş. This section follows the northern (inland) part of the loop. There’s also a section following the southern half of the route which stays closer to the coastline for much of its length.
- Most people follow one part of the loop to Gelemiş and the other for the hike to Kalkan. However, some opt to follow the northern path both ways since it is shorter and easier. Some people also opt to hike to Gelemiş and then take a dolmuş / taxi or hitchhike to Kalkan.
- The loop could also be skipped entirely by going from Akbel to Delikkemer and then from Delikkemer directly to Kalkan. If you aren’t interested in Delikkemer, it is also possible to simply follow some local roads directly from Akbel to Kalkan.
Alerts / Hazards
- We get a lot of reports of sometimes-aggressive dogs in the area in and to the immediate south of Akbel. Note that not all dogs in the area are aggressive – most are friendly ‘tag-along’ dogs who will join you for a while (often hours or even days in some cases) hoping for treats and seeking companionship. Alas, some dogs in this area definitely are aggressive. Biting incidents are rare but we have heard of at least one that happened in 2019 (minor injuries, but still…).
- Stay alert to avoid stumbling on the uneven trail.
Camping
- There are several good camping spots, including by the aqueduct.
Transport
- Dolmuş service to Kalkan and other locations is available in Gelemiş though can be very limited during the off-season. If not available, hike (or hitchhike) out to D400 and wave down a dolmuş from there.
![Map of Water Fountain in Akbel [279] [CE2673]](https://trekopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2600-Water-Water-Fountain-in-Akbel-279-CE2673.png)
Pretty Pictures
Sometimes nothing beats a good photo. Or even a bad photo! If you’d like to share some or all of your photo collection with the Trekopedia community, contact us at photos@trekopedia.com and we can arrange a transfer of them. And thanks!
All photos are copyright by their respective owners and are used with permission.
How You Can Help
Trail research is never actually done. Here’s some of what we’re looking for:
✅ More photos! Ideally with geo-location information in the metadata. In addition to using some photos on Trekopedia, we add them to our internal reference database which significantly helps us with trail research. The more photos, the better! If you are willing to share your collection with us, we’d be incredibly grateful. Let us know and we’ll arrange a transfer.
✅ Points of interest. Help us identify (and geo-locate) accommodations, attractions, restaurants, markets, trail waypoints, confusing or problematic junctions, difficult or hazardous places, water sources, and so on.
✅ Tips & recommendations. Share your thoughts with other hikers.
✅ Points of interest. Help us identify (and geo-locate) accommodations, attractions, restaurants, markets, trail waypoints, confusing or problematic junctions, difficult or hazardous places, water sources, and so on.
✅ Tips & recommendations. Share your thoughts with other hikers.
In addition to the above, please see this article for information on more general ways you can help. Thanks!
We’re told: “Path is a little overgrown in places” (between D400 and Delikkemer). Update: we’ve now had multiple confirmations in February and March of this section being somewhat overgrown, including with prickly bushes intruding on the trail (thus, wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts is recommended).