Main Path
Kapaklı – Demre (via Gurses)
ID: 
41

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.

Cliffside tombs at Myra
Image credit:  
Anonymous
, All rights reserved

Essentials

Kapaklı (village)
Demre (town)
Winding SW–NE section with Demre / Myra to the NE.
Much of this section is ascending / descending a steep hillside up to the sprawling village of Gürses. Average slope is about 11% on the W side and 8% on the E side, but portions on the W side can reach 20% and at the very E end it is also 17%+. The westernmost quarter of the section (along the coast) is comparatively flat, with rolling small hills.
Follows footpaths most of the way though several lengthy portions are along rural roads. The footpaths are mostly narrow and rocky / uneven. In some areas (such as above the Myra ruins) the path can often be overgrown.
Way-finding is mostly good along the coastal portion but can be confusing in places on the hillside above Çayağzı / Demre, depending on how recently the blazes have been refreshed.

Metrics

Select the tab below corresponding to the direction you plan to walk.
Towards Demre:
Towards Kapaklı:
16.6 km / 10.3 mi
Distance
665 m / 2,182 ft
Ascent
755 m / 2,477 ft
Descent
~6.5 hrs
Duration
Elevation chart.
16.6 km / 10.3 mi
Distance
755 m / 2,477 ft
Ascent
665 m / 2,182 ft
Descent
~6.5 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 are a few water sources but none that we’ve been able to confirm as reliable. There are some cisterns, but most are not clean – highly recommended to boil the water before drinking and/or use filtering and purification tablets.

Highlights

  • The excellent Myra ruins are at the Demre side of this section. There are also some related ruins in the hillside above Myra (which the Lycian Way directly passes).
  •  Not too far off-route at Çayağzı are the Andriake Ruins if you don’t mind a detour (about 1.5 km each way). You could also take a taxi there from Demre.
  • In the middle of Demre is the notable Church of St. Nicholas.

Tips

  • Take the estimated duration of this section with a grain of salt – due to the length, rocky terrain in parts, and some long, steep slopes everyone will complete this section at different paces.

Route Planning

  • There’s an alternate path that branches away from this one at a junction to the NW of Çayağzı, goes through that hamlet, passes the Andriake ruins, and follows sometimes-busy roads into Demre. It then passes northward through Demre, including passing the Church of St. Nicholas, before rejoining the main path at the Myra ruins. It’s less appealing overall than this section, but definitely easier and shorter. Many people skip the walk between Çayağzı and Demre and arrange transport for that stretch instead. Based on feedback we’ve received, the alternate path is the more popular option.
  • If you are skipping the mountain section between Demre and Finike, the alternate variant (via Çayağzı) is recommended since it will get you into Demre sooner and leave enough time to catch a dolmuş to Finike (or perhaps all the way to Karaöz if you are also skipping the shoreline / greenhouse walk between Finike and Karaöz).

Alerts / Hazards

  • Between Kapaklı and the junction to the NW of Çayağzı, the rugged path passes Cakil Beach on a trail that runs above the shore. This is mostly rocky, uneven terrain – watch your footing.
  • The slope above the Myra ruins is rugged, steep, and often overgrown.

Camping

  • We haven’t noticed any particularly good camping spots along this section – if you spot one, please let us know.

Amenities

  • There’s a market available directly on-route in Gürses.

Attractions & Highlights

Notable highlights along the trail and at either endpoint include:
  • Ruins of Fortress above Myra Ruins
    Historical Site
    Ruins of Fortress above Myra Ruins
    Between Gürses & Demre
  • Church of St. Nicholas in Demre
    Historical Site
    Church of St Nicholas
    In Demre
  • Myra Ruins in Demre
    Historical Site
    Myra Ruins
    In Demre

Accommodations

Here’s what we’re currently tracking for this trail section:
  • Annotated map of Senay Ablanın Yeri in Kapaklı
    Guesthouse
    Senay Ablanın Yeri
    In Kapaklı
  • Annotated map of Mina Suit Apart in Demre
    Hotel
    Mina Suit Apart
    In Demre
  • Dufa Bungalow in Demre
    Hotel
    Dufa Bungalow
    In Demre
  • Şahin Paradise Hotel in Demre
    Hotel
    Şahin Paradise Hotel
    In Demre

Wild Camping Locations

Here are the wild camping locations that we’re currently tracking along this trail section:
  • Campsite Slightly Southeast of Kapaklı
    Wild Campsite
    Campsite
    Slightly Southeast of Kapaklı
  • Campsite slightly southeast of Kapaklı
    Wild Campsite
    Campsite
    Slightly Southeast of Kapaklı
  • Cistern in Kayaköy
    Wild Campsite
    Campsite
    Slightly Southeast of Kapaklı

Water Sources

Here are the water sources that we’re currently tracking along this trail section or at either endpoint:
  • Water Source West of Cakil Beach Between Kapaklı & Çayağzı
    Water Source
    Water Source West of Cakil Beach
    Between Kapaklı & Çayağzı
  • Fountain Between Kapaklı & Gürses
    Water Source
    Fountain
    Between Kapaklı & Gürses
  • Fountain at Mosque in Gürses
    Water Source
    Fountain at Mosque
    In Gürses
  • Fountain Between Gürses & Demre
    Water Source
    Fountain
    Between Gürses & Demre
  • Fountain Between Gürses & Demre
    Water Source
    Fountain
    Between Gürses & Demre

Where to Next?

From Demre:

  • Map of the Lycian Way between Demre and the Alakilise ruins.
    Main Path
    Demre – Alakilise Ruins
    Distance
    12.5 km / 7.8 mi
    Ascent
    1,138 m / 3,733 ft
    Descent
    332 m / 1,088 ft
    Est. Duration
    5.75
    Westernmost portion of the remote, beautiful 39 km / 24 mi mountain route between Demre / Myra and Finike, usually done over three stages and typically requiring camping.

From Kapaklı:

  • Map of the Lycian Way between Kaleköy and Kapaklı.
    Main Path
    Kaleköy (Simena) – Kapaklı
    Distance
    6.5 km / 4.0 mi
    Ascent
    195 m / 640 ft
    Descent
    87 m / 285 ft
    Est. Duration
    2.0
    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.

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.
  • Lots of goats on road just E of Kapaklı
    Lots of goats on road just E of Kapaklı
    Photo by 
    Anna Flack
     – 
    Fall 2022
  • Looking towards Cakil Beach
    Looking towards Cakil Beach
    Photo by 
    Anna Flack
     – 
    Fall 2022
  • Coastline view from east of Cakil Beach between between Kapaklı and the junction near Çayağzı
    Coastline view from east of Cakil Beach between Kapaklı and the junction near Çayağzı
    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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