Beycik – Yayla Kuzdere [53]

Main Path

Beycik – Yayla Kuzdere

ID:

Beautiful mountain section that is part of the interior route between Çıralı and Göynük Yayla.

This section involves steady ascending and descending and is quite steep almost the entire way. It reaches the highpoint for the entire Lycian Way, close to the peak of Tahtalı Dağı.

Image credit:

Anna Flack

Essentials

Beycik (village)

Yayla Kuzdere (village)

S–N section with Yayla Kuzdere to the N.

This section traverses the highpoint of Tahtalı Dağı and thus has a long, steady slope on both sides. Overall, the southern slope is slightly steeper at about 18% (versus about 17% on the northern slope). However, the northern slope has much steeper stretches along it, frequently exceeding 25%.

Mostly mountain footpaths through rugged, rocky terrain.

Way-finding is moderate. Generally, the way is clear but there are multiple junctions where the correct path can be confusing.

Metrics

Select the tab below corresponding to the direction you plan to walk.

Towards Yayla Kuzdere:

Towards Beycik:

12.5 km / 7.8 mi

Distance

1,186 m / 3,891 ft

Ascent

1,128 m / 3,701 ft

Descent

~7.5 hrs

Duration

12.5 km / 7.8 mi

Distance

1,128 m / 3,701 ft

Ascent

1,186 m / 3,891 ft

Descent

~7.5 hrs

Duration

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!

Water

Multiple water sources are available that are generally reliable for much of the year (other than winter), especially on the N side of the highpoint.

Highlights

Passes near to the peak of Tahtalı Dağı, which is also the highpoint of the entire Lycian Way.
Very attractive, scenic section. A favourite for many people.

Tips

Near the high point of this section is an off-route path you can take to hike to the peak of Tahtalı Dağı . Well worth considering for the breathtaking views. Note that there is a cable car station at the peak that leads down to the coast (one of the longest cable car rides in the world). There is a restaurant there as well. We have a GPS track for this off-route path.
You’ll frequently meet shepherds along this section. They are usually friendly and happy to see you.

Alerts / Hazards

Caution should be used any time you traverse over snow in this region (especially if climbing to the peak) as it could be ‘capping’ dangerous crags / gullies.

Accommodations

Some informal pensions are available in Yayla Kuzdere where you’ll typically get a very warm, friendly welcome.

Camping

There are several excellent camping spots, in scenic locations, available on this section.

Amenities

There’s sometimes an impromptu café available by one of the water sources during peak season.

Accommodations

Here’s what we’re currently tracking for this trail section:

Bungalows

Panorama Camping, Bungalows, & Restaurant

In Beycik
Commercial Camping

Camping at Ali’s Riviera Restaurant

In Beycik
Guesthouse

Sevim Abla’s House

In Yayla Kuzdere
Guesthouse

Süleyman Bey’s House

In Yayla Kuzdere

Wild Camping Locations

Here are the wild camping locations that we’re currently tracking along this trail section:

Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere

Water Sources

Here are the water sources that we’re currently tracking along this trail section or at either endpoint:

Water Source

Fountain / Rest Area Near Mosque

In Beycik
Water Source

Fountain / Rest Area

In Beycik
Water Source

Hose With Small Basin

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Spout / Thin Hose With Small Basin

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Spring Water From PVC Pipe

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Well with PVC Pipe

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Fountain

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Spring

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Water Source

Between Beycik and Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Fountain by Rest Platform

At Edge of Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Fountain at Mosque

In Yayla Kuzdere
Water Source

Fountain

In Yayla Kuzdere

Where to Next?

From Yayla Kuzdere:

Main Path

Yayla Kuzdere – Gedelme

Distance

7.0 km / 4.3 mi

Ascent

238 m / 781 ft

Descent

457 m / 1,499 ft

Est. Duration

3.0

Mountain section linking Yayla Kuzdere and Gedelme that is part of the interior route between Çıralı and Göynük Yayla.

From Beycik:

Main Path

Ulupınar – Beycik

Distance

9.3 km / 5.8 mi

Ascent

818 m / 2,684 ft

Descent

256 m / 840 ft

Est. Duration

4.25

Mountain section that is part of the ‘interior’ route between Çıralı and Göynük Yayla.

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.

Rocky trail slightly north of highpoint

Photo by
Anna Flack

–
Fall 2022
View from by highpoint of Tahtalı Dağı

Photo by
Anna Flack

–
Fall 2022
Looking towards Tahtalı Dağı from north of Beycik

Photo by
Anna Flack

–
Fall 2022
Rocky, rugged hillside near highpoint of Tahtalı Dağı

Photo by
Irene Dijkmans

–
Fall 2022
Shepherd with goat north of highpoint between Beycik & Yayla Kuzdere

Photo by
Anna Flack

–
Fall 2022
Shepherd with her goats north of highpoint between Beycik & Yayla Kuzdere

Photo by
Anna Flack

–
Oct 2022

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.

In addition to the above, please see this article for information on more general ways you can help. Thanks!