Kaleköy (Simena) – Kapaklı [40]

Main Path

Kaleköy (Simena) – Kapaklı

ID:

Attractive, remote section linking Kaleköy with Kapaklı. This section consists of rolling hills, passing Smuggler’s Inn (a remote restaurant), and two different ruins of castles.

Rocky field with goats and a fortress on the hilltop in the distance after Kaleköy Junction

Image credit:

Stu Hackett

Essentials

Kaleköy (village)

Kapaklı (village)

SW–NE section with Kapaklı to the NE, partially running inland along with an attractive stretch by the shoreline.

Most of this section is very mild, small hills. However, the NE end has a long, steady slope ascending towards the NE (towards Kapaklı), with some 15%+ portions.

Follows a mix of tracks and generally good-quality footpaths through scrub, woodlands, and some fields. The footpaths are mostly packed reddish dirt trails, making for easy and, for a change, not particularly rocky, walking though there are some challenging stretches where you’ll need to watch your footing (especially a bit south of Kapaklı).

Way-finding is mostly pretty good though there are some potentially troublesome junctions (especially near Kapaklı) depending on how recently the blazes have been refreshed.

Metrics

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

Towards Kapaklı:

Towards Kaleköy:

6.5 km / 4.0 mi

Distance

195 m / 640 ft

Ascent

87 m / 285 ft

Descent

~2.0 hrs

Duration

6.5 km / 4.0 mi

Distance

87 m / 285 ft

Ascent

195 m / 640 ft

Descent

~2.0 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 a couple of water sources along this section but neither are reliable (though both frequently do have water during much of the year).

Highlights

Nice coastline scenery is the main highlight along this section.
There are ruins of a fortress located atop a hill off-route to the S of the trail. You’ll be able to see it in the distance when walking past. Ruins of another fortress is located right on the trail.

Tips

That nice, packed dirt footpath turns to mud in wet conditions, of course, so allocate extra time in inclement weather.
Trail signage near Kapaklı can be confusing and sometimes even misleading. Stay alert.

Alerts / Hazards

While most of the footpath is good quality, there are portions near Kapaklı that are narrow, rocky, and uneven. Watch your footing, especially in wet conditions.

Camping

There are many nice spots for wild camping along the section. We’ve marked a few; if you spot others that you think we should include please send us details on them.

Amenities

Most of this section is quite remote but there is a restaurant (which also has camping available) located on an inlet in the middle of nowhere where you can purchase bottled beverages as well as meals.

Attractions & Highlights

Notable highlights along the trail and at either endpoint include:

Historical Site

Simena Castle

In Kaleköy
Historical Site

Burç Castle (ruins)

East of Kaleköy Junction
Historical Site

Castle Ruins

Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı

Accommodations

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

Guesthouse

Ankh Pansiyon

In Kaleköy
Guesthouse

Simena Pansiyon

In Kaleköy
Guesthouse

Sahil Pansyon

In Kaleköy
Guesthouse

Kale Pansiyon

In Kaleköy
Guesthouse

Senay Ablanın Yeri

In Kapaklı

Wild Camping Locations

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

Wild Campsite

Campsite

East of Kaleköy Junction
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı

Water Sources

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

Water Source

Water Fountain

At Kaleköy Junction
Water Source

Cistern

East of Kaleköy Junction
Water Source

Water Source

Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
Water Source

Cistern

At SW Outskirts of Kapaklı

Where to Next?

From Kapaklı:

Main Path

Kapaklı – Demre (via Gurses)

Distance

16.6 km / 10.3 mi

Ascent

665 m / 2,182 ft

Descent

755 m / 2,477 ft

Est. Duration

6.5

Winding, often-rugged section connecting Kapaklı with a junction at the N end of Demre, by the Myra ruins. Partly follows the coast and partly ascends and descends a steep hillside overlooking Çayağzı / Demre.
Alternate Path

Kapaklı – Demre (via Çayağzı)

Distance

11.4 km / 7.1 mi

Ascent

84 m / 276 ft

Descent

180 m / 591 ft

Est. Duration

3.0

Popular alternative to the main path between Kapaklı and Demre / Myra, going via the hamlet of Çayağzı instead.

From Kaleköy:

Main Path

Üçağız – Kaleköy (Simena)

Distance

2.2 km / 1.4 mi

Ascent

56 m / 184 ft

Descent

57 m / 187 ft

Est. Duration

0.75

Easy section, ascending and descending a small hill around the bay on a good quality trail, linking Üçağız with a junction a bit to the NE of Kaleköy (Simena).

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 field with goats and a fortress on the hilltop in the distance after Kaleköy Junction

Photo by
Stu Hackett

–
Spring 2016

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!