The walk starts in the olive groves near the hamlet of Akbel, just above the town of Kalkan. It follows an easy, level track with views across the plain of Kinik to your right (see if you can spot the remains of the runway, where the government tried to open an airport back in the 70s - unfortunately it sank before it received any air traffic!)
The track then descends an easy, but rocky, path to the Roman aquaduct at Delikemer. We pass underneath the aquaduct and up a rise, where you will get a good view back to aquaduct. Then we join the path to Patara, flat at first, then a very short rise, crossing a dry stream bed before joining a pleasant grassy track, which leads through olive groves and then through woodlands before we start the gentle descent to Patara.
Picnic stop in a pleasant glade with plenty of shade and rocky 'perches', then the final descent via a grass and shale path. Some care needs to be taken as you descend, as there is some erosion in some places on the path.
We then arrive in the ruins of Patara, once a capital of the Lycian league and Lycia's main seaport (the harbour has since silted up and the ruins are now some way from the sea). Explore the ruins, including the well-preserved amphitheatre and the senate, upon which today's US senate was modelled.
Walk (or bus) to the beach, where we will spend some time, so that you can have a swim or paddle and a cool drink at the cafe before returning to Kalkan. There are changing cabins and showers at the beach cafe, which you can use free of charge.
Bring: sun cream, swimming costume/towel if you wish (these can be left on the bus and collected before we leave the ruins), sandals/plimsolls so that you can change out of your boots (can also be left on the bus), plenty of water/other drinks as desired, extra snacks (a sandwich and juice will be provided), camera. You may also want to bring a clean tee-shirt, as walking at this time of the year can be a sweaty business!
Please note: Because Patara is an official ancient site, we have to pay the entrance fee of 5 lira per person on the way out (we bypass the ticket booth on the route down). It would be extremely helpful if you could try to have the correct money, so that we can collect this on the bus.
Walk One
Akbel to Patara Approximately four hours - easy.
The walk starts in the olive groves near the hamlet of Akbel, just above the town of Kalkan. It follows an easy, level track with views across the plain of Kinik to your right (see if you can spot the remains of the runway, where the government tried to open an airport back in the 70s - unfortunately it sank before it received any air traffic!)
The track then descends an easy, but rocky, path to the Roman aquaduct at Delikemer. We pass underneath the aquaduct and up a rise, where you will get a good view back to aquaduct. Then we join the path to Patara, flat at first, then a very short rise, crossing a dry stream bed before joining a pleasant grassy track, which leads through olive groves and then through woodlands before we start the gentle descent to Patara.
Picnic stop in a pleasant glade with plenty of shade and rocky 'perches', then the final descent via a grass and shale path. Some care needs to be taken as you descend, as there is some erosion in some places on the path.
We then arrive in the ruins of Patara, once a capital of the Lycian league and Lycia's main seaport (the harbour has since silted up and the ruins are now some way from the sea). Explore the ruins, including the well-preserved amphitheatre and the senate, upon which today's US senate was modelled.
Walk (or bus) to the beach, where we will spend some time, so that you can have a swim or paddle and a cool drink at the cafe before returning to Kalkan. There are changing cabins and showers at the beach cafe, which you can use free of charge.
Bring: sun cream, swimming costume/towel if you wish (these can be left on the bus and collected before we leave the ruins), sandals/plimsolls so that you can change out of your boots (can also be left on the bus), plenty of water/other drinks as desired, extra snacks (a sandwich and juice will be provided), camera. You may also want to bring a clean tee-shirt, as walking at this time of the year can be a sweaty business!
Please note: Because Patara is an official ancient site, we have to pay the entrance fee of 5 lira per person on the way out (we bypass the ticket booth on the route down). It would be extremely helpful if you could try to have the correct money, so that we can collect this on the bus.
Walk Two
Gokceoren to Saribelen
Approximately four to five hours - easy
We start the walk in the very pretty village of Gokceoren high in the hills above Kas and Kalkan. This is the summer retreat for the villagers and their flocks, where they spend the hot season.
We start at the graveyard, where you may be amused to see the dates on the gravestones. Because Turkey changed to the Gregorian Calendar from the Lunar Calendar when it became a republic, some graves show birth dates in the '14th' Century alongsides dates of passing in the last or current centuries.
We follow a stream gently downhill through forest and farmland, arriving eventually at the junction with the path which leads up to the ancient city of Phellos. At this junction, we turn west towards Saribelen, following the path of a rushing river, with views over the high villages and pastures. The path rises gently in some areas. We end the walk on a track, just above the village of Saribelen.
Bring: suncream, camera, snacks, plenty of water/soft drinks. (A sandwich and juice will be provided). You may wish to bring sandals/other shoes to change in to at the end, ditto clean tee shirt.
Walk Three
Saribelen to Gokceoren, via the mountain track - easy to moderate
Approximately four to five hours.
We start the walk just above the village of Saribelen. A short, but rather steep, ascent (less than ten minutes) takes us up a forestry path. This then rises gently for a further few minutes, levelling out to give lovely views over the high pastures. We then have a short, but slightly rocky descent - watch your footing and make sure you stick to the path. Then the walk passes through pastures, eventually leading to a good track, which rises gently, offering fantastic views of the islands and the sea, eventually giving you a bird's eye view over the Greek island of Meis. Watch out for wild orchids close to the track and keep an eye out for falcons, kestrels, eagles and other birds of prey, playing on the high thermals. We then descend a rocky staircase and the walk continues via pastures and a network of coastal tracks (no scary edges) before finally descending into the hill village of Gokceoren.
