Göynük Canyon – Hısarçandır [58]

Main Path

Göynük Canyon – Hısarçandır

ID:

Long section linking Göynük Canyon with the village of Hısarçandır. This used to be the first or last section of the Lycian Way (depending on which way you were walking) until it was extended in early 2014.

Near bottom of steep, difficult stretch between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır

Image credit:

T Roszkowski

Essentials

Göynük Canyon (landmark)

Hısarçandır (village)

SSE–NNW section with Hısarçandır to the NNW. Passes through the hamlet of Elmayanı.

This section is a mountain traversal and thus there are long, steady slopes on either side. The S slope is steepest, rising towards the N with an average grade of about 16% though with a notable stretch that exceeds 35%. The shorter N slope is gentler at an average grade of about 10.5% and no notably steep portions.

It follows (mostly) good-quality mountain trails for most of the way, though there are some rugged stretches where you need to be careful of your footing. Some stretches follow along rural roads.

Way-finding is moderate though you’ll probably need to check your position against our GPS tracks occasionally.

Metrics

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

Towards Hısarçandır:

Towards Göynük Canyon:

19.3 km / 12.0 mi

Distance

1,795 m / 5,889 ft

Ascent

1,000 m / 3,281 ft

Descent

~10.0 hrs

Duration

19.3 km / 12.0 mi

Distance

1,000 m / 3,281 ft

Ascent

1,795 m / 5,889 ft

Descent

~10.0 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

There’s multiple water sources, several of which seem quite reliable.

Route Planning

There’s an alternate branch covering part of this section, between Hısarçandır and Elmayanıi, that seems to be getting popular. We have a GPS track of it.

Camping

Multiple very good wild camping locations, including some adjacent to water sources.

Transport

There’s a dolmuş stop in Hısarçandır by the mosque that goes to Antalya (last reported fare, Sept 2020, was TL 7). Note that cash isn’t accepted. You need the local “antalyakart” fare card. However, if you are coming from Hısarçandır the driver will typically let you aboard and then stop at a ticket machine once you get to Antalya’s suburbs. Tap the card on the sensor to pay the fare.

Attractions & Highlights

Notable highlights along the trail and at either endpoint include:

Accommodations

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

Hotel

Green Garden Otel Göynük

In Göynük
Guesthouse

Tuncay Yerdelen’s House

In Hısarçandır

Wild Camping Locations

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

Wild Campsite

Campsite NE of Elmayanı

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Wild Campsite

Campsite

By Elmayanı between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Elmayanı and Hısarçandır

Water Sources

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

Water Source

PVC Pipe

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Water Source

PVC Pipe

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Water Source

PVC Pipe

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Water Source

Fountain at Rest Area

By Elmayanı between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Water Source

Fountain

In Elmayanı
Water Source

Water Source NW of Elmayanı

Between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır
Water Source

Fountain

Between Elmayanı and Hısarçandır
Water Source

Fountain at the Mosque

In Hısarçandır

Where to Next?

From Hısarçandır:

Main Path

Hısarçandır – Çitdibi

Distance

8.0 km / 5.0 mi

Ascent

398 m / 1,306 ft

Descent

481 m / 1,578 ft

Est. Duration

3.5

Rugged, winding section between Hısarçandır and Çitdibi, passing through the mountains with some moderately steep portions.

From Göynük Canyon:

Main Path

Göynük Yayla – Göynük Canyon

Distance

12.6 km / 7.8 mi

Ascent

805 m / 2,641 ft

Descent

1,574 m / 5,164 ft

Est. Duration

7.5

Beautiful but frequently rugged and challenging mountain section with many great views and interesting rock formations, with the gorge itself a popular highlight.
Access Path

Göynük Canyon – Göynük

Distance

4.0 km / 2.5 mi

Ascent

40 m / 131 ft

Descent

90 m / 295 ft

Est. Duration

1.25

Optional detour off-route to the village of Göynük, where there are accommodation options as well as transport connections to Antalya and elsewhere.

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.

View at Göynük Canyon (trailhead)

Photo by
Anna Flack

–
Fall 2022
View between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır

Photo by
Gina Russell

–
Fall 2022
Rocky path with blazes between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır

Photo by
Łukasz Ostojski

–
Fall 2021
Signpost in Hısarçandır

Photo by
Łukasz Ostojski

–
Fall 2021
Near bottom of steep, difficult stretch between Göynük Canyon and Hısarçandır

Photo by
T Roszkowski

–
Spring 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!