Kayaköy – Ovacık [63]

Main Path (Extended Trail)

Kayaköy – Ovacık

(direct option)

ID:

This is the direct option between Kayaköy and the official Lycian Way start / finish point in Ovacık, typically part of a single stage between Fethiye and Ovacık.

Coastal view between Kayaköy and Ovacık

Image credit:

Darren Moens

Essentials

Kayaköy (village)

Ovacık (town)

WNW-ESE section with Kayaköy to the WNW and Ovacık (and adjacent sister-town of Hisarönü) to the ESE.

Hilly section with some moderately steep portions. The typical slope on the Kayaköy side is about 13.5% with some stretches at 18%+. The slope is gentler on the Ovacık side at about 9.5%.

The path is mostly on rugged but reasonably good-quality mountain trails through attractive woodlands, with roads on the very east end and paved but rugged (broken / decaying) footpaths through Kayaköy’s ghost town.

Moderate way-finding. There are blazes and it is generally clear which way to go.

Metrics

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

Towards Ovacık:

Towards Kayaköy:

5.5 km / 3.4 mi

Distance

360 m / 1,181 ft

Ascent

220 m / 722 ft

Descent

~2.5 hrs

Duration

5.5 km / 3.4 mi

Distance

220 m / 722 ft

Ascent

360 m / 1,181 ft

Descent

~2.5 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

There’s a water fountain available but it is often dry. Load up on water before departing Kayaköy / Ovacık.

Highlights

Passes through the ‘ghost town’ ruins (which has a nominal admission fee). Give yourself some time to explore them.

Tips

For eastbound hikers, note that there are two main trails exiting from the ruins – in addition to this one there is a separate path that branches southwest which heads towards Ölüdeniz. The path you want (for Ovacık) is the one that departs from the east side of the ruins.

Route Planning

This is one of two popular alternatives leading to / from the E / SE of Kayaköy. This option connects directly to Ovacık. The other option connects with the popular beach community of Ölüdeniz, from which you can then make your way to Ovacık. The two options merge / split at a junction on the hillside in the Kayaköy ghost town.
If you are overnighting in Ovacık, there may be some side trails you can optionally use to connect with this path depending on the location of your hotel /guesthouse (rather than first heading to the Ovacık trailhead). Check the map for options.

Alerts / Hazards

There are often bee-houses near the highpoint (and you’ll sometimes see their beekeepers). Give the bee-houses a wide berth and you shouldn’t be bothered.

Camping

Wild camping spots available, though they are limited due to the angle of the slope in most areas and the fairly thick woodlands.

Attractions & Highlights

Notable highlights along the trail and at either endpoint include:

Historical Site

Kayaköy ‘Ghost Town’

In Kayaköy

Accommodations

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

Guesthouse

Han Camping & Pension

In Kayaköy
Guesthouse

Misafir Evi

In Kayaköy
Guesthouse

Selçuk Pension

In Kayaköy
Hotel

Everest Lodge

In Ovacık
Hotel

Montana Pine Resort

In Ovacik
Hostel

Ölüdeniz Hostel & Suites

In Ovacık

Wild Camping Locations

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

Wild Campsite

Wild Campsite

Between Kayaköy & Ovacık
Wild Campsite

Campsite

Between Kayaköy & Ovacık

Water Sources

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

Water Source

Water Fountain

In Kayaköy
Water Source

Water Fountain

In Kayaköy
Water Source

Water Fountain

in Kayaköy
Water Source

Fountain

Between Kayaköy & Ovacık

Where to Next?

From Ovacık:

Unofficial Alternative

Ölüdeniz – Ovacık

Distance

2.8 km / 1.7 mi

Ascent

300 m / 984 ft

Descent

8 m / 26 ft

Est. Duration

1.2

Unappealing connector section between Ölüdeniz and the Lycian Way’s official start / finish point at the edge of Ovacık. Entirely alongside a busy, steep road. Many people just take a dolmuş.
Main Path

Ovacık – Faralya

Distance

12.8 km / 8.0 mi

Ascent

765 m / 2,510

Descent

735 m / 2,411 ft

Est. Duration

5.8

Mountain section between the official Lycian Way start / finish point at the southern end of Ovacık and the village of Faralya on the opposite side of Babadağ (‘Father Mountain’).

From Kayaköy:

Main Path (extended)

Fethiye – Kayaköy

Distance

8.8 km / 5.5 mi

Ascent

445 m / 1,460 ft

Descent

320 m / 1,050 ft

Est. Duration

3.6

Optional extended section of the Lycian Way (which technically starts / ends in Ovacık), typically part of a stage connecting Fethiye with Ovacık and/or Ölüdeniz. While there are certainly nicer, more memorable sections elsewhere along the trail, this makes for a pleasant, easy ‘warm-up’ for those just starting their hike or a gentle conclusion for those ending their adventure in Fethiye.
Optional Path

Kayaköy – Ölüdeniz

Distance

5.1 km / 3.2 mi

Ascent

210 m / 689 ft

Descent

365 m / 1,198 ft

Est. Duration

2.25

This off-route variant ascends and descends a modest-sized hill, with very nice views down on Ölüdeniz’s famous lagoon during the descent (for eastbound walkers). Passes through Kayaköy’s intriguing ‘ghost town’ ruins.

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.

Blaze on rock between Kayaköy and Ovacık

Photo by
Rebecca Scheer

–
Fall 2022
Woodland path between Kayaköy and Ovacık

Photo by
T Roszkowski

–
Feb 2022
Bee houses by path

Photo by
Darren Moens

–
Fall 2022
Coastal view between Kayaköy and Ovacık

Photo by
Darren Moens

–
Fall 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!