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Highlights
Discover Turkey’s First Ever Long-Distance Footpath on this 8-Day Tour
Enjoy some of the best trekking in Turkey as you tackle the most challenging section of the Lycian Way.
Experience the history of this rich culture as you explore the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos.
Trek alongside the glittering sea as you take in the mountains and valleys on the way to Cape Gelidonya.
Discover castles, tombs, ruins, and palaces as you unearth some of Turkey’s historical gems.
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.
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.
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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: EUR960
- Price per person staying in a single room (travelling with a group): EUR1210
- 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).
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
- How hard is the Pirate Coast Trek?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Turkey?
- Are meals included on the Pirate Coast Trek?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Gonyuk to start this tour?
- Is the Pirate Coast Trek in English?
- Where does the Pirate Coast Trek end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Turkey?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Turkey?
- When is the best time to travel to Turkey for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. Some days are long and with big elevation gain, and you will be hiking on rocky, irregular footpaths and at times over scree. Previous hiking experience is highly recommended.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, and 7 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover (activity). Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Antalya Airport, from where you will be picked up by taxi (this transfer is included in the tour price).
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends in Antalya, where you will be transferred to an airport for your flight.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Turkey for this hike is between April and November, however, the summer months tend to get very hot.
Customer Ratings
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.
