Lycian Way | Trekking and Climbing

Any Brits who make the trip to walk the Lycian Way should look upon the trail as something of their own. Expat Kate Clow, with the help of her friend and Terry Richardson, designed and implemented the route, which threads its way around the Lycian coast, taking in some spectacular views in the process.

The marked path is 509 kilometres long (more than 300 miles) and graded medium to hard by experts. The walking itself can be more challenging in summer and it is recommended that the most favourable weather in which to experience the Lycian Way can be found in the months of February to May and September to November.

One of the real attractions of the walk is the clever way that the markers have interspersed the route with a healthy dose of history. The ruins of ancient Lycian cities adorn the passage, not to mention the remnants of Byzantine, Roman, Greek and Persian civilisations.

Starting near the remains of ancient Perge, the archaeological site and major tourist attraction makes a fitting beginning to what is for many an unforgettable experience.

Equipment-wise, it is sensible to treat the Lycian Way as seriously as any other challenging mountain trek. Good boots are a must, as the tough limestone underfoot is trodden for much of the route.

For the first part of the hike, small hotels and pensions are readily available, as the walk passes through the towns and villages of Patara, Kas, Myra, Finike, Adrasan, Olympos, Cirali and Tekirova. And something approaching luxury can be enjoyed in the quaint bay of Kalkan, where the exclusivity of the 'New Marbella' offers some respite from the rural landscape.

As the route reaches more remote areas nearing Antalya, houses in small villages, or camping out may be the walker's only option. The friendliness of the Turkish people that populate the villages dotted along the Lycian Way has been remarked upon by several guides and makes arrival at each rural community something to look forward to.

The difficulty of the Lycian Way walk increases towards the Antalya end of the journey, but the winding nature of the route - planned brilliantly by Ms Clow and Mr Richardson - which weaves into the mountains and back down onto the beaches, means any fatigue is soon countered by the wonderful sights to behold.

For less hardy walkers, it is possible to pick and choose the easiest and more pleasant stretches of the Lycian Way. Though by all accounts, completing the entire route is the best way to experience this epic and entertaining journey.

The hike will take around 30 days for walkers of intermediate ability - this can be broken down into manageable sections of around 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) per day. One of the most testing components of the walk is in store for those who choose to scale the summit of Mount Olympus.

Some tour operators offer luggage transportation to the end-of-day destination leaving walkers free to take on the challenge of the mountain.

Those visiting property in Turkey who thoroughly enjoy walking should experience the Lycian way and the spectacular views along the walk.