An Ancient Hiking Adventure: Carian Trail and Lycian Way

The history and culture that have layered upon Türkiye’s land, combined with its unique natural beauty, create unforgettable memories for visitors. Anatolia, where ancient civilisations, first city settlements, and important trade routes intersect, is a great destination for history and nature lovers. One of the best ways to discover this rich heritage of Türkiye is through hiking tours. Get ready to take a journey into the past with tours on ancient hiking routes where nature and history meet.

Here is a guide consisting of these routes, adorned with ancient cities and unique views of Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, blending refreshing blue and soothing green:

6 Points

500 km

10 h

Route points

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The Carian Trail starts from Muğla and offers an exquisite hiking journey by combining the history and natural beauty of the Mediterranean coast. Along the way, it connects coastal views with quiet rural landscapes, creating a route that feels both refreshing and timeless. This ancient trail is suitable for hiking with its smooth paths winding through scenic routes that offer close-up views of the Aegean coastline.

By following this route, you can explore the Caria Region, where the most important ancient cities of Muğla are located. For summer lovers, this hiking trail passes through the uniquely beautiful coasts and bays of Muğla. You can choose one of the scenic routes, among Marmaris and Akyaka, such as the Gulf of Gökova section around Akyaka. This journey, which makes you feel like you have travelled in time, will also heal your soul with its green areas and unique turquoise sea.

The Carian Trail and the Lycian Way routes are quite close, and you can continue your hiking journey to the Lycian Way. This ancient hiking route blends the natural beauty of the Mediterranean with its historical heritage and peaceful rural life. You can follow the trail in this order: Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Kayaköy, Kaş, Kalkan, Patara, Demre, Finike, Olympos, and Çıralı, eventually reaching Antalya.

The best way to discover natural beauty is to camp on the coast and in forested areas. Along the way, you can also make time for cultural stops that deepen the journey, from the stone houses of Kayaköy to the ancient cities scattered along the route. You can rest among these natural beauties and refresh your body inside the turquoise seas, and then continue your hiking journey after a short break.

If you're looking to combine camping and outdoor adventure with a cultural journey, you can also explore the significant ancient cities along the way. Discovering the unique historical heritage of the Turkish Riviera with this hiking tour will feel like time travel. History lovers should specifically visit the archaeological sites of Patara, Xanthos, Myra, Olympos, and Phaselis.