Discover Turkey’s First Ever Long-Distance Footpath on this 8-Day Tour
This challenging self-guided trek follows the highest and most rugged section of the Lycian Way, Turkey’s first-ever long-distance footpath. The route winds up and down along the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos. It finishes at the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya.
Highlights of the Pirate Coast Trek
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Pirate Coast Trek Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
On arrival at Antalya Airport you will be met by the taxi driver for the transfer (45 mins) to Göynük.
Overnight Location: Pension in Göynük
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Göynük - Göynük Yayla
You walk uphill all day starting at the Göynük gorge entrance and going over switchback ridges beneath pine trees, with excellent views to pastures and orchards. It is possible to swim where the river forms a nice pool in the canyon. You meet your transfer vehicle near a bridge (850m) from where you will transfer to your hotel in Ovacık.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ovacık
Distance: 17km, 6 hours, 1,200m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Göynük Yayla - Yayla Kuzdere
Transfer back to where you left the route yesterday and walk along high mountain paths and tracks to the village of Gedelme where you can explore a Roman castle. Then, continue the walk up to the mountain village of Yayla Kuzdere (900m) enjoying views of Mount Tahtalı.
Overnight Location: Village house in Yayla Kuzdere
Distance: 16km, 5 hours, 460m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Yayla Kuzdere - Beycik
From Yayla Kuzdere you start with a steady climb up a stream bed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı). You climb the pass from here through the forest of pines and impressive cedar trees. Then you descend via a winding path through the lovely forest to the village of Beycik from where your transfer vehicle takes you to Çıralı (30 mins).
Overnight Location: Pension in Çıralı
Distance: 15km, 6 hours, 990km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Ancient Olympos & Chimaera (Yanartaş)
Today you can enjoy an optional exploration of the ruins of ancient Olympos (6km along the beach). This ancient city, which gets its name from its view of Mount Olympos, was built on the banks of a wide river flowing into the sea near Çıralı adjoining a long, sandy beach. It once was a hideout for pirates and amongst its ruins are tombs, temples, churches and palaces all hidden between lush vegetation.
You can swim and lie on the beach and/or take a short evening walk to admire the eternal burning flames of Chimaera in the dark. A natural gas coming from the bowels of the earth gives this place its Turkish name of burning stone: Yanartaş.
Overnight Location: Pension in Çıralı
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6 Çıralı - Adrasan
Today you’ll start directly from Çıralı and walk through the ancient city of Olympos and up Musa Dağı (Moses Mountain 650m). The climb is through a dense forest with many strawberry trees and passes some minor ancient ruins. After having a picnic lunch near an old hut, you’ll descend through the forest, past deserted farmhouses before you reach sea level and your accommodation in the beautiful bay of Adrasan.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Adrasan
Distance: 16km, 6 hours, 750m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Adrasan - Gelidonya Lighthouse
Again this morning, you’ll start directly from your hotel on a route that leads south via Kızıl Sırt (450m) along a remote and isolated coastline. Follow a path parallel to the coast at a high altitude along cliffs and green slopes, overlooking the sea and enjoying great views towards some little islands. After arriving at the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonya (200m) you’ll walk down to a dirt road to meet your transfer vehicle for the transfer back to Adrasan. Dinner and overnight in the same hotel in Adrasan.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Adrasan
Distance: 18km, 7 hours, 700m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 8 Departure
This morning your tour comes to an end. Transfer from Adrasan to Antalya airport (2 hrs).
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Pirate Coast Trek Price and Dates
This self-guided tour in Lycian Region is run as a private tour with for your group only and the pricing depends on what type of rooms you choose to stay in on your trek.
Prices below are per person.
- Price per person sharing a double/twin room: $995 USD
- Price per person staying in a single room (travelling with a group): $1,250 USD
- Price per person staying in a single room (solo traveller): on request
Accommodation on Pirate Coast Trek
This tour is based in hotels and pensions. The accommodation on this trip offers modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Standard rooms are of double occupancy; however, you can also choose to stay in a single room for a supplement (please check ‘Dates and Prices’ where these supplements are already included in the prices).
Hotels on Standard Tour
Pension in Göynük
Tonight you’ll stay in a comfortable pension in Göynük.
Hotel in Ovacık
A great hotel with a relaxed vibe.
Village house in Yayla Kuzdere
Come to know the village of Yayla Kuzdere at this cozy village house.
Pension in Çıralı
A cozy pension in Çıralı.
Hotel in Adrasan
Enjoy a comfortable stay with great amenities at this hotel in Adrasan.
What’s Included in the Pirate Coast Trek?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, and 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes airport pick up and drop-off as well as luggage transfers. This tour doesn’t include any local or international flights and you will be hiking between your overnight locations yourself.
Also Included
- Detailed self-guided route notes in English
Not included
- Any domestic or international flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for staff if desired
- Entrance fees to museums and historic monuments
- Guide services
Frequently Asked Questions about Pirate Coast Trek
Middle Earth Travel started business in 2001, owned by some very experienced and established guides, determined to make a living doing what they like best: trekking tours. Over the years we expanded our area of expertise to archaeological, cultural and family tours and have become a leader in biking tours as well, but we still focus on small, private groups and personal guided or self-guided travelling experiences. We are licenced by the Turkish Tourism Ministry and registered by the Union of Turkish Travel Agencies.
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