The Western Lycian Way
The western half of the Lycian Way — Fethiye to Kaş, 186 km in 11–14 days — is the most popular section for a first multi-day trek in Turkey. It packs the most photographed views (Babadağ, Kayaköy, Kalkan), a pension within reach every night, and access via Dalaman airport with summer direct flights from the UK.
Why pick the western half
The Lycian Way splits into two unequal halves: western (Fethiye → Kaş, ~186 km) and eastern (Kaş → Aşağı Karaman/Antalya, ~284 km). Most first-time long-distance walkers do the western half — and here's why:
- Logistics are simple. Dalaman airport is 50 km from Fethiye; Antalya airport is 200 km from Kaş. Both have direct UK flights.
- A bed every night. The western half has pensions, guesthouses or campsites at almost every stage end. A tent is optional.
- Lower altitude. Almost no serious mountain stages — the main climbs top out at 700–1,000 m above sea level.
- Sea views. Most of the western route runs along the rocky coast of the Aegean and Mediterranean.
- The famous bits. Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi), Patara Beach, abandoned Greek village Kayaköy, Ölüdeniz lagoon — all on the western half.
Western route stages
| Day | Stage | km | Difficulty | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fethiye → Ovacık (past Kayaköy) | 14.0 | moderate | Ovacık (pensions) |
| 2 | Ovacık → Faralya | 15.1 | moderate | Faralya |
| 3 | Faralya → Alınca (via Kabak) | 11.9 | strenuous | Alınca |
| 4 | Alınca → Bel (via Gey) | 13.6 | strenuous | Bel |
| 5 | Bel → Gavurağılı | 7.4 | strenuous (800 m of descent) | Gavurağılı |
| 6 | Gavurağılı → Letoon → Xanthos | 17.4 | easy | Kınık, at Xanthos |
| 7–8 | Xanthos → Patara, via Çavdır, Üzümlü and Akbel (usually split at Üzümlü, or ride it by dolmuş) | 34.4 | easy | Üzümlü, then Patara (Gelemiş) |
| 9 | Patara → Kalkan | 18.5 | moderate | Kalkan |
| 10–12 | Kalkan → Kaş, inland via Bezirgan, Sarıbelen and Gökçeören (two or three days, or a dolmuş) | 54.1 | strenuous | Bezirgan, Gökçeören, then Kaş |
That is nine waymarked stages, 186 km in all, spread over eleven to twelve walking days because two of them — Xanthos → Patara and Kalkan → Kaş — are too long for a single day. Detailed descriptions of each stage with GPS tracks and photos are on the Stages page. If you have fewer than 10 days, you can transfer past most stages by dolmuş or taxi and walk only the highlights.
Ready-made itineraries
7 days — highlights only
If you only have a week, walk the most photogenic stages:
- Arrive Dalaman, transfer to Fethiye; walk Fethiye → Ovacık (14.0 km) past the Kayaköy ghost village
- Ovacık → Faralya (15.1 km, views over Butterfly Valley)
- Faralya → Alınca (11.9 km, down to Kabak beach then 1,000 m back up)
- Rest day in Alınca (terrace, recovery)
- Transfer to Patara, walk the ancient city
- Patara → Kalkan (18.5 km, via the Delikkemer aqueduct and the clifftops)
- Transfer Kalkan → Kaş by dolmuş, fly home
14 days — full western traverse
The classic version — every stage from Fethiye to Kaş:
- Arrive Dalaman → Fethiye
- Days 1–11: the nine stages in the table above, with Xanthos → Patara split at Üzümlü and Kalkan → Kaş split at Gökçeören
- Day 12: Kaş — diving, sea-kayaking or pure rest
- Day 13: transfer Kaş → Antalya
- Day 14: fly home
What's on the western route
Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi)
A bay at the foot of a 350-metre cliff with a beach and waterfall. The trail passes high above it — descent on the rope ladder is risky and not recommended. Better to look down from the top and, if you want to swim, take a boat from Ölüdeniz.
Kayaköy (abandoned Greek village)
About 500 stone houses on a hillside, abandoned by Greeks during the 1923 population exchange. UNESCO listed. Atmospheric at any time, especially at sunset — a good first stop after Ovacık.
Patara
One of the longest beaches in the Mediterranean (18 km) and the ancient city of Patara (former capital of Lycia, birthplace of Saint Nicholas). The beach is a protected nesting site for Caretta turtles.
Kalkan and Kaş
Kalkan — small white-walled resort town tumbling down to its bay. Kaş — the main hub of the western route: diving, sea-kayaking, ferries to Greek Kastellorizo, cheap eating. More on the Kaş page.
When to walk the western route
The western half is the hottest part in summer. Already by late May, temperatures on the open slopes climb past 30 °C and water on the trail is scarce. June–September is not recommended — push the trip to autumn.
Difficulty and preparation
The western route is the "beginner-friendly" half: moderate elevation gain, plenty of pensions, few waterless sections. But "easy" in Lycian Way terms is not a stroll. Realistically you need:
- To walk 6–7 hours with an 8–10 kg pack
- Trekking boots (not trainers) — there is a lot of loose rock
- To carry at least 2 litres of water per stage
- 1–2 weekly conditioning walks for at least 2 months before you go
Where to sleep on the trail: see the Lycian Way home for accommodation guides.
Getting there
The closest airport is Dalaman (DLM), 50 km from Fethiye. UK direct flights run April to October from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh (around 4 hours). Off-season, expect to connect via Istanbul. From Dalaman to Fethiye:
- Havaş airport shuttle — about €14 per person, 1 hour
- Pre-booked private transfer — €30–€45 per car
- Dolmuş via Muğla → change for Fethiye — cheapest at €6, 2 hours
Full breakdown: Getting to the Lycian Way.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk the western route without a tent?
Yes. There are pensions or guesthouses at every stage end (€12–€20 per night with breakfast). A tent is normally only needed on the Faralya → Alınca section and for flexibility in peak season.
Do I need an English-speaking guide?
Not really. The trail is waymarked with red-and-white stripes (the same GR system as France and Spain). Most pensions have Wi-Fi and someone who speaks English. If you want a guide for navigation reassurance or to learn the Lycian history on the spot, see Guided Tours.
What does it cost self-guided?
A self-guided 14-day trip with pension overnights costs roughly €400–€550 per person, excluding flights. That covers nights (€12–€20 × 13), food (€8–€12 a day), local transfers and ancient-site entry.
How does the western differ from the eastern half?
The eastern half (Kaş → Antalya, 284 km) is mountainous and wild. More altitude (Tahtalı 2,365 m, Musa 2,200 m), fewer pensions, longer waterless stretches. The eastern route is more dramatic but tougher; most walkers come back for it after doing the western half first.