Carb loading before the walk
To start our walk along the south-west coast of Turkey, we caught a ferry from Rhodes in Greece to the Turkish port of Marmaris. We then took a taxi down the coast to Kayakoy, a small town in the hills a few k's south of the thriving coastal city of Fethiye.
Day 1: On the hills above modern day Kayakoy is the ghost town of the same name. Until 1922 there were around 2000 Greeks, mainly artisans, living in the village. However due to hostilities between Greece and Turkey, they were forced to move to Greece as part of a population exchange between the two countries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak%C3%B6y).
If walls could talk
Open air ablutions, Kayakoy
Coastal scenery between Kayakoy and Oludeniz
Summer flowers
Day 2: A birds eye view of the English enclave of Oludeniz. This is the official start of the Lycian Way, a 540 km walking track that finishes at Geyikbayin, near Anatalya. We walked about 75 km of it. Apart from being a little England, Oludeniz is famous for hang gliding (look for the airborne dots).
Ascending Baba Dag (Father Mountain) using an ancient walking track
Still ascending, with a great view back towards Ouldeniz and beyond
On top of the world near the isolated village of Kirme
In Kirme the mountains dominate
A welcome break, Kirme
All refuelled, it's now time to tackle the next section to Faralya
Spring water. I would love to know what the sign says.
The village of Faralya is in a beautiful spot above Butterfly Valley. The dining deck of the Montenegro Hotel is a great spot for a beer whilst viewing the sunset.
Day 3: The path around the lip of Butterfly Valley (don't look down) and heading towards the village of Kabak. A beautiful walk.
Steep in places
The reward-Butterfly Valley
Nature in all its glory
Heading for the village of Kabak
The path drops down to the side of the Mediterranean Sea
Kabak village and the mountains we cross tomorrow
Day 4: Kabak from somewhere on the track to Alinca. This was our longest day at 15 km.
The bluff above Kabak, we had walked around the lower edge of it earlier in the day
Fairly rough walking at times
Fellow walkers negotiating a rock fall
We were pleased to arrive at Alinca, it had been a hard day but worth the pain for views like this
Alinca views
The food and hospitality were great at the Alamut Guesthouse
Day 5: Departing Alinca next morning, straight down, and then up, and down, etc, etc ..... Our destination is the cape in the distance
Following those red and white markers
Always time for some nature pics
Now this is walking in style. Up in the hills miles from civilisation (or so we thought) we came across a couple of entrepreneurial kids who had set up a tea stop for weary walkers. They were spending the day with their dad who was checking on his bee hives. The rug came out and we relaxed while the tea was being prepared.
Our hosts
Tea with a view
The country became drier and more agricultural as we neared the village of Gey
Looking back on the day's walk from our room at the Yediburunlar Lighthouse Hotel near Gey.
Day 6: We stayed at Gey for a couple of days and did a circular walk to the village of Bel, more spectacular coastal, mountain and agricultural views
Through the terraces
Farmers hut on the way to Bel
A high level of security is required
Quiet local roads
Rock farming
I am sure crop circles were invented in Turkey
Day 7: Our last day of walking from Gey to Sidma and return (by taxi)
Waiting for said taxi with the local shop keeper in the village of Bogazici
