Efeler Yolu Culture Route
Efeler Yolu (Efeler Way) is a 500-kilometer, multi-stage and marked hiking/trekking route, beginning from Bornova district of Izmir, passing through Nif Mountain and the Bozdağ Mountains, then turning to the plateaus of Kiraz, continuing through the Aydin Mountains, and ending at Virgin Mary House in Ephesus-Selçuk. Efeler Yolu is a culture route based on the theme of efe/zeybek culture. In this context, Efeler Yolu covers a wide geography and connects important villages that have managed to carry their cultural richness to the present day through ancient roads using virgin plateaus and mountain passes. Efeler Yolu has been recognized as one of the Green Destinations “Top 100 Stories” in 2023 for its efforts towards responsible tourism and distinctive features.
Efeler Yolu is consisted of 28 stages, having 27 main stages and 1 alternative line. Stage lengths vary between 14-24 kilometres. The difficulty levels of the stages can generally be graded as medium-difficult and difficult. In this sense, Efeler Yolu is a real challenge in itself. The main stages of the Efeler Yolu are marked in red-white, and the alternative line is marked in red-yellow. In addition to standard signalling, red markings on the way provide access to mountain peaks, cultural heritage or important viewpoints on the routes.