TURKEY: Hiking The Lycian way

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• published: 16 Apr 2016
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In ancient times, a mining area located in the South-West of Asia Minor, in the region of the Teke Peninsula, was called Lycia. On the West it bordered with Karya, on the North with Phrygia and Pisidia, on the East with Pamphylia and washed by the Mediterranean sea on the South. The coastline is strongly indented in Lycia. There are many bays, islets and sheltered coves. And internal areas are occupied by fertile valleys separated by spurs of the Taurus range. At the end of the XX century, an Englishwoman named Kate Clow, paved the Lycian tourist route. It became one of the most popular trail in the world. Disparate roads, trails and goat paths are connected in a single path, with a total length of 509 kilometers. The trail is marked with red and white marks. In some places, they are more common and in others, less common. And sometimes completely lost or hidden in dense vegetation. There are numerous signs along the trail. They show the direction to the nearest historical attractions or large settlements. You can go on the path without a guide. Of course, you may end up strayed. Mutual assistance between tourists helps them to find their way. The most difficult area to for orientation are the fields lined with pyramids of stones. They are called the ducks. The Lycian trail streches along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya. The path goes through forests and mountains, agricultural areas, ancient ruins, villages and abandoned villages. The route is made so that it can be walked with ease. It is never more than one day's walk, from one rest area to the next. On the way, you can easily find restaurants, snack bars and grocery shops. With the alternative of travelling with a tent, cooking over a campfire and sleeping under the stars. There are no organized campsites in Turkey. A tent can be placed anywhere without any restrictions. It's easy to find drinkable water and wood for the fire. There are also springs, rivers, lakes and wells. You can easily ask for water in any home. The Turks are a very hospitable people. Especially to foreigners. Local residents not only willingly undertake to fulfill traveler's requests, they also invite them for tea, food and shelter. The trail can be walked at any time of the year. But the ideal season remain Spring or Autumn. As Summers are too hot and Winters too wet. The most popular season on the trail — May holidays. The Lycian trail begins on the outskirts of Fethiye. From Oludeniz, she abruptly goes into the mountains. The path reaches the sea for the first time, in the area of Kabak, on a small pebble beach. The water is still cold and swimming is unattractive. But it is already quite comfortable to sleep in the tent. It is not cold. The Lycians founded their cities in the most convenient places. Most often on the top of a mountain or on the river bank. On a hill at the mouth of the Xanthos river in the Mediterranean sea, there was, in ancient times, a port city called Pindi. There were 23 major cities in Lycia. One of the most important was Xanthos. It was founded by settlers from Crete in the VIII century BC. The City was the capital of the Lycian Union. And later became a part of the Roman Empire. Only fragments remain from the high walls. The port city of Patara was founded in the VI century BC. It was one of the largest cities in the Lycian Union. Here lived the Roman Emperor Hadrian. And on the way to Rome stayed in St. Paul. The holiday village of Kalkan has replaced the Greek village of Kalamaki. Now this village, is popular amongst those who prefer a quiet and relaxing holiday by the sea. On the shore, at the foot of the cliff under Felos, was in ancient times, the port of Antiphellos. It is briefly mentioned in Homer's "Illiad". The inhabitants of this city fought on the side of the Trojans. The ancient city of Myra was in the Lycian Union. The amphitheatre was designed for 30 thousand seats. We can see many rows of seats of the audience, the scene and arches covered galleries, still perfectly preserved. Roman Emperor Julius Caesar and the Apostle Paul were visiting here. At the beginning of the IV century, the local Bishop was Nicholas, from Patara. He performed many miracles and was canonized. Olympus was one of the largest cities of ancient Lycia. Here was the base of pirates. They plundered ships carrying grain from North Africa to Rome. Five kilometers from the village of Cirali, you can watch an amazing natural phenomenon. On the hill of Chimaera, gas escapes from holes in the rock. When exposed to the air, it miraculously ignite. The trail goes along the slopes protected the Göynük canyon. Narration was done by Frederic Moretti (fredericmorettimusic@gmail.com)