Main Path
Kaleköy (Simena) – Kapaklı
ID: 
40

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
, All rights reserved

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
Elevation chart.
6.5 km / 4.0 mi
Distance
87 m / 285 ft
Ascent
195 m / 640 ft
Descent
~2.0 hrs
Duration
Elevation chart.

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:
  • Simena Castle & Lycian Ruins in Kaleköy
    Historical Site
    Simena Castle
    In Kaleköy
  • Burç Castle (ruins) East of Kaleköy Junction
    Historical Site
    Burç Castle (ruins)
    East of Kaleköy Junction
  • Castle Ruins Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
    Historical Site
    Castle Ruins
    Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı

Accommodations

Here’s what we’re currently tracking for this trail section:
  • Annotated map of Sahil Pansyon in Kaleköy
    Guesthouse
    Sahil Pansyon
    In Kaleköy
  • Annotated map of Kale Pansiyon in Kaleköy
    Guesthouse
    Kale Pansiyon
    In Kaleköy
  • Ankh Pansiyon in Kaleköy
    Guesthouse
    Ankh Pansiyon
    In Kaleköy
  • Simena Pansiyon in Kaleköy
    Guesthouse
    Simena Pansiyon
    In Kaleköy
  • Annotated map of Senay Ablanın Yeri in Kapaklı
    Guesthouse
    Senay Ablanın Yeri
    In Kapaklı

Wild Camping Locations

Here are the wild camping locations that we’re currently tracking along this trail section:
  • Campsite East of Kaleköy Junction
    Wild Campsite
    Campsite
    East of Kaleköy Junction
  • Campsite between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
    Wild Campsite
    Campsite
    Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
  • Campsite Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
    Wild Campsite
    Campsite
    Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
  • 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:
  • Fountain at the Kaleköy Junction
    Water Source
    Water Fountain
    At Kaleköy Junction
  • Cistern East of Kaleköy Junction
    Water Source
    Cistern
    East of Kaleköy Junction
  • Water Source Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
    Water Source
    Water Source
    Between Kaleköy Junction & Kapaklı
  • Cistern at SW Outskirts of Kapaklı
    Water Source
    Cistern
    At SW Outskirts of Kapaklı

Where to Next?

From Kapaklı:

  • Map of the Lycian Way between Kapaklı and Demre via Gürses.
    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.
  • Map of the Lycian Way between Kapaklı and Demre via Çayağzı.
    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:

  • Map of the Lycian Way between Üçağız and 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
    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!
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