Cycling the Lycian Way and the Tekke Peninsular

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Photo by flickr user I was in Turkey

The spectacular scenery of the Lycian Way along Turkey’s Tekke Peninsular makes an excellent riding backdrop. The way is really a trekking route, but some portions of the track are suitable to bike along, alternatively the region itself has some other short fairly easy loop rides if you base yourself in Ovacik, Kas, Finike or surrounds, where there are plenty of great places to stay.

The views changes as you travel which is one of the nicest things about this region. The meadows of wildflowers and strawberries give out to forests of Bay Trees and olive groves, then the scenery becomes more rock as you pass through a region of canyons approaching Mount Olympos.

Most people are interested in travelling the Lycian Way because of the history of the place and there are plenty of historic ruins, tombs and interesting architecture, a highlight being the Byzantine churches and the towns with their Moroccan looking Ottoman domes.

The whole route is more than 500k between Fethiye and Antalya and there are parts where you need to be prepared to dismount if you were attempting to complete the journey, but if you’re adventurous it’s a good challenge and there are lost of inclines and descents. Part of the track is graded but part is quite rocky.

Go in the milder months, the coast of Turkey is pretty hot in summer.

Written by  Jake Marsden.

Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers

L Beckett

Can you recommned a book for someone who would like to cycle accross Turkey?

 Lynne - posted 30th November 2010

Do you have a map of the path you used?

we are planning to cycle from olympos to karaöz through gelidonya lighthouse. do you have a map of your path? or at least a google earth ss? that would really help.

 yunus - posted 4th April 2010