About this stage
A long but gentle stage descending from Gavurağılı through pine forest and open farmland to the Xanthos River valley and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Letoon and Xanthos. The route passes the coastal fortress of Pydnai before reaching Xanthos, ancient capital of Lycia, with its Harpy Tomb and Nereid Monument.
Stage highlights
- Letoon UNESCO temple complex
- Xanthos ancient capital
- Harpy Tomb and Nereid Monument
- Pydnai coastal fortress
What to expect on the trail
This is one of the easier western stages — gentle gradients on forest tracks, farm roads and quiet lanes down to the valley floor.
Tree cover thins as you approach the farmland and the ruins, so there is less shade in the second half; carry water and a sun hat.
You'll descend from roughly 271 m down almost to sea level on this stage — 285 m of ascent against 335 m of descent over 17.4 km.
Long but straightforward, and rich in history — allow time to explore Letoon and Xanthos rather than rushing the ruins.
Getting there
Gavurağılı is a small village best reached on foot from a neighbouring stage. At the far end, Kınık (beside Xanthos) has dolmuş (minibus) connections to Fethiye and Kalkan.
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 6 of 27, part of the Western Lycian Coast section running from Fethiye through Ölüdeniz, Faralya and the Patara dunes towards Kalkan. It connects stage 5 (Bel to Gavurağılı) to stage 7 (Xanthos to Patara), and works well as part of a multi-day section walk.
Best time to walk this stage
The Lycian Way is best walked in spring (mid-March to mid-May) or autumn (mid-September to mid-November). October and April offer the most reliable weather: mild temperatures, clear skies, wildflowers in spring or olive harvest in autumn, and far fewer hikers. Summer (June-August) is generally too hot for comfortable walking and water sources dry up. Winter (December-February) brings rain to the coast and snow to mountain passes; the trail is walkable but conditions are unpredictable, especially on the higher inland stages.