Required equipment
Minimal needed for most walks but can include:
- Strong worn-in boots
- Cover for your legs and ankles
- Lightweight tops and showerproofs
- Daysack
- Bottles for drinks
- Poles, if you like them, can help.
THE WALKS
We have developed a series of walks to suit all abilities. Most are easy to complete unguided and can be started straight from your villa. Some are more strenuous and can be walked in company, in groups guided or unguided.
- WALK 1
- A half day walk 2-3 hours
Varied terrain on rough paths, trails and some quiet roads
Long (2-3 km) and steady uphill sections - Climb steadily through the abandoned hillside village to reach the top of the hill at which there is a small white-washed chapel that can be seen from your villa terrace.
- The panoramic view from here south across the Turquoise Coast left to Olu Deniz and right to Fethiye and beyond is your reward. The view North is over the Kaya valley to low rising pine covered hills that separate the Kaya valley from the Fethiye valley. Continue slightly down on the coastal side and follow the path east towards Olu Deniz. Taking you through scrub and pine woods you emerge with a spectacular view of the famously photographed Olu Deniz beach stretching out ahead. The Blue Lagoon on your left. Walk down to the lagoon and round through the woods to reach the main beach and the small tourist town. There are many places to find refreshment here including bars and restaurants.
- There is a choice now to either walk up through Olu Deniz up the valley to Ovacik and then west down again to Kaya through the pine woods taking horse and mule trails (making it a circular walk of about 6-7 hours) or get the dolmus (small bus) from Olu Deniz beach back to Kaya via Hisaronu.
- WALK 2
- A whole day walk, 4-5 hours
Varied terrain on rough paths and tracks some gentle climbing
Guided or unguided (if you do this walk alone let us know before you go so that we can make arrangements for you) - From the lane beside Gunay's Garden head south and take the sheltered path through the pine woods along the eastern edge of the valley towards Gemiler. A 5-6 Km walk will bring you to the remains of an old monastery cut out of the coastal rocks (the sunset photo was taken from here). After enjoying the view and explored the site retrace your steps to the car park and lane. Walk to the end of the lane and turn right. A 4-5 K walk now descends to the small bay Gemiler 200m below.
- The best route is on the dust road that hairpins down the side of the cliff through the woodlands. Very little traffic uses this road, if you see one vehicle it will probably be a moped. In 2006/7 the Gemiler beach area has been smartened it up considerably and there is a small cahrge to use it. If you don't want to do this walk we arrange a shuttle down to the beach and back from Gunay's Garden. You can get refreshment on the beach or take a swim in the crystal clear water.
- We can/will arrange for you to be taken by boat from the beach to St Nicholas Island about 800m across the bay. The entire island is covered with the ruins of the Byzantine inhabitants and paths are overgrown and strewn with rocks. However, it is the view from the fine church at the top dedicated to St Nicholas (yes, Santa himself) that gives you a glimpse of how the occupants may have lived. St Nicholas was born locally at Patara and was Bishop of Myra to the East.
- When you are ready the boat will collect you from the jetty and take you to the beach at Olu Deniz. (NB there is no jetty at Olu Deniz so be prepared to take your boots off to alight from the boat, as you may get your feet wet)
- Return to Kaya by Dolmus or Taxi. Or walk back as in Walk 1. Alternatively you can simply walk back from Gemiler beach.
- WALK 3
- Whole Day
Approx 4 hrs
Mostly flat with some gentle gradients - Follow the lane from the Villa out onto the road and turn left towards the centre of the village. You will pass the local shops, mosque and tea houses. At the center there is a statue in the centre of the road, turn right and follow the quiet meandering road past picturesque farms, over streams (if in the spring months), olive groves and plantations. Expect to encounter some of the rural delights that characterise the valley; open fields edged by wild flowers and butterflies, horse drawn ploughs, laden donkeys, roaming (real free range) chickens, carpet weaving, bee keeping, ancient Lycian tombs, inquisitive goats, warm hospitable locals who may call you in for tea as you pass by, pancakes being made in the open and stunning views everywhere.
- Refreshment can be taken at the Kaya Wine House (they do coffee/tea soft drinks too) and explore their ancient building with its fascinating history before heading on to the western edge of the valley. Continue to walk north and turn right when you meet the road coming down from Fethiye. Either follow the road to the north end of the village or follow one of the many paths across the valley floor towards the abandoned village of ancient Greek Levissi (now Kaya Koy). The houses churches and schools left deserted after the population exchange at the end of the Greco-Turkish war at the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. Louis De Bernier's popular novel "Birds without Wings" fictionalises the story. The old village, now managed by the Turkish department of antiquities, is built into the hillside and hold rewarding views from the upper terraces especially in the evening as the sun sets, a must for photographers.
- Descend back to the road and turn left towards Gunays Garden for a well earned dinner. Eat in Gunay's Garden Restaurant or there are several excellent restaurants nearby.
- WALK 4
- Whole day
4-5 hours
Easy with some long gradients - Take the road to the centre of the village and at the statue turn south (left). The road winds down towards Gemiler but look for a track on your right to take you south west where you will see a winding track up the hillside. A steady ascent from the valley up the hill to an old water cistern gives you a great view back across the valley. You will then enter the pine woods that cover the hillside. The tracks are easy to navigate.
- Taking left paths will bring you out on the coast, right forks will lead you down through the cool woods to the Fethiye bay side of the hill. The first view is a spectacular sight of the rocky shore and azure blue sea. Walking on brings you out above Fethiye town and as you descend you will emerge from the woods in the boatyard where traditional Gulets are under construction all year round. Continuing through the yard on the tarmac road pass along the edge of the bay through Karagosler to Fethiye Town Centre.
- Here the choice can be yours. Continue to walk up to the old castle, the Lycian rock tombs or explore the old town...or walk up past the castle and back to Kaya through the steep but impressive valley with two roads (one used by walkers and horses the other by cars) Taking this route back to Kaya would add about 3-4 hours to the walk.For the less inclined for punishment, Fethiye has places to pamper you with a good Hammam (Turkish Bath) at the Hotel Ece Saray (ask Rebecca to book ahead for you) and several hairdressers where a shave, massage and haircut are not only excellent but inexpensive.
- Beauty parlours are also available with pre-booking for all hairdressing manicure and health treatments at very very reasonable prices.
- Either eat in Kaya, if you walk or get the dolmus bus back... or stay in Fethiye and explore some of the many restaurants, café's parks and gardens along the seafront. There are also two very good supermarkets in Fethiye for any shopping needs.
More Challenges please...
- Lycian Way
- There are more challenging walks to try... the most famous being the Lycian Way that starts in Ovacik on the valley side above Olu Deniz. We can provide details on request. If you would like to do part or parts of this walk we have guides who know it well. You are advised to buy the book "The Lycian Way" by Kate Clow before you come and check the website for additions and changes since publication. This is a very professional enlightening and mandatory publication for serious walkers on this 130 mile route.
- We can arrange for you to start and stop at various places along the route but would suggest that the Western end is more suitably reachable from Kaya. The finish is near Antalya, about a five hour drive away. We think you could enjoy at least 50 miles from our base perhaps in a series of walks where we would take you to your last stopping place from the previous day.
- The walk, most suitable for serious trail blazers, can be rough at times and covers all types of walking except actual climbing. Some people try it in the heat of summer but we would advise late autumn or early spring are the best times to come to enjoy this route.
- Xanthos Valley 1
- Another popular walk from Xanthos to Pinara or vice-versa can be achieved alone or guided. This walk is particularly interesting for historians, explorers of ancient sites, and photographers. The walk is mostly level with raised ground at the beginning and end of the walk.
- Xanthos Valley 2
- A walk from Tlos to Saklikent Gorge across the Xanthos Valley is also popular with historians and geographers. The history of the valley exudes from every rock, from every tree and every river bed. Tlos, the site of many cultures and civilisations, is a spectacular rock outcrop toped by old fortifications and tombs, the Amphitheatre is ruined but delightful and the views from the old church just stunning.
- Saklikent, a deep gorge in Limestone is 23km long and is a walk in itself. You would need some basic climbing gear such as safety ropes to traverse huge boulders in the gorge. You would also need to take a change of footwear as some of the walk would necessarily get your feet wet.
- Baba Dag
- Baba Dag (Father Mountain) 2000m+ rises above us in Kaya. It is around this mountain that the Lycian Way threads its early trails. It can also be climbed by taking a road the jeeps use in the summer to transport Paragliders to the top for their hour long descent onto Olu Deniz beach. There are also some well-worn tracks if you want a steeper, faster climb. The views from the top are most impressive in the spring.
- Snow capped until late March, the air is fresher and not spoilt by the heat haze that appears around June and lasts until late September.
- If you would like to do this walk we can arrange a guide or show you the way.
We hope this has given you a flavour of the marvellous walking that you can do in our area of South West Turkey.
We can supply basic maps, though there are no Ordnance Survey maps (or similar) of Turkey yet and we rely on local knowledge and experience to guide your way.
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