About this stage
The final stage. The Culture Routes Society's route officially ends at Geyikbayırı, but a waymarked extension continues about 22 km down from the climbing village to Aşağı Karaman on the western edge of Antalya (Konyaaltı), where the red-and-white marks stop close to the ruins of Neapolis. The trail itself does not enter the city: from Aşağı Karaman it is a road walk or a bus to the historic old town of Kaleiçi, the natural place to complete the 540km journey.
Stage highlights
- Final stage celebration
- Duden Waterfalls
- Antalya old town
- Mediterranean coast arrival
- End of the Lycian Way
What to expect on the trail
The terrain mixes coastal cliffs, forest paths and open ridges, often with archaeological sites along the way. Varied underfoot and visually rewarding.
Shade is patchy. Pine forest sections offer relief, but exposed coastal stretches and ridge walks require a sun hat, sunscreen and frequent water breaks in summer.
You'll descend from roughly 690 m to 47 m above sea level — 502 m of ascent and 1,145 m of descent over 21.9 km, about 6.5 hours of walking.
Graded hard for its length and the long, knee-testing descent rather than for any climbing. Follow the waymarks carefully in the last few kilometres, where tracks multiply near the city; the marks end at Aşağı Karaman, and city buses run from there into Antalya.
Getting there
Public transport access between Geyikbayırı and Antalya is limited. Most hikers reach this stage by walking from a neighbouring section, or by private taxi from Antalya or Fethiye (a 1-2 hour drive depending on the trailhead).
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 26 of 27, part of the Olympos to Antalya Mountains section — the rugged final section over the Beydağları mountains, past Tahtalı's summit and down to Antalya. As the final stage, it ends the waymarked route at Aşağı Karaman on the edge of Antalya — a short bus ride from Kaleiçi, the natural place to celebrate completing the trail.
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 than the shoulders of those windows. Summer (June-August) is generally too hot for comfortable walking — coastal stages routinely exceed 35°C 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.