Lycian Way Stages: All 27, With Distances and Where to Sleep

The main line of the Lycian Way splits into 27 stages from Ovacık to Geyikbayırı, about 450 km (280 miles) in all. The table below lists all 27 Lycian Way stages, with the distance, the difficulty, where to sleep and what you see. With only five days, walk the west, from Ovacık to Kalkan. Our Lycian Way trek follows that section.

All 27 Lycian Way Stages at a Glance

Distances are rounded. The rating reflects both distance and climb, so a short stage can still be moderate. Guides divide the trail in different ways, so stage numbers change from one book to the next.

Kalkan to Demre: Stages 8 to 15

Demre to Çıralı: Stages 16 to 21

Çıralı to Geyikbayırı: Stages 22 to 27

How Long Is the Lycian Way, Really?

Both 760 km and about 450 km are correct, because they count different things. So the Lycian Way stages above add up to the shorter figure. Here is what each number means.

Kate Clow opened the trail in 1999 at a little over 500 km. Then she kept mapping old paths that locals knew. For example, the St Nicholas Ways above Demre joined the route later. Her Culture Routes Society looks after the trail, and the route as a whole now runs about 760 km. For one walk from end to end, plan on about 450 km.

The Best Five Lycian Way Stages

For five days in a row, we would choose the west. These Lycian Way stages join the cliffs above Butterfly Valley, the high ground of Yediburunlar, two ancient capitals and the long beach of Patara.

On day four, a car replaces stages 4 and 5, so you gain a morning at the UNESCO sites. Day two has the biggest climb of the five, about 700 meters (2,300 feet) to Alınca. Day five is the longest, and it ends at the harbor of Kalkan.

Sleeping Between Lycian Way Stages

Village houses and pensions cover almost every night, except for three high sections. The clearest gap is the climb from Demre to Finike, where stages 16 and 17 have no confirmed beds. Many family pensions also open only in spring and autumn, so we call ahead for you. Our guide to where to stay on the Lycian Way covers each region, from village rooms to boutique hotels.

When to Walk the Lycian Way

Spring and autumn suit the trail best. Summer is too hot for long days on the open slopes. Each stage needs about 2 to 4 liters of water, and we plan the day around it. For the wider picture, read Turkey for hikers.

Walk the Lycian Way Stages With Us

You do not need to carry a tent or a heavy pack. On our Lycian Way trek, your guide sets the pace, your car meets you where the path meets the road, and your luggage waits in the next room. For one day on the trail, take our Lycian Way hike. Tell us how far you like to walk in a day, and we will choose the stages to match.