Hiking in Turkey: The Best Trails from the Lycian Way to the Black Sea

Turkey is an underrated hiking destination. The country's extraordinary geographic variety — from sea-level Mediterranean coastline to 3,000-metre Black Sea highlands, from volcanic Central Anatolian plateau to the river gorges of the southeast — produces a range of walking terrain that rivals anything in Europe. The trail infrastructure has improved significantly over the past two decades, and several long-distance routes now rank among the finest in the world. Here are the best options.

The Lycian Way

The Lycian Way is Turkey's most celebrated long-distance trail and one of the first routes in the world to be designated as a top walking destination by international hiking organisations. It runs for approximately 540 kilometres along the Mediterranean coastline of Lycia — roughly from Fethiye in the west to Antalya in the east — passing through ancient ruins, small villages, cliff paths above turquoise water, and sections of preserved Roman road.

The trail is divided into day sections of varying difficulty. Most visitors walk selected sections rather than the full route. The stretch between Ölüdeniz and Kabak is among the most dramatic — high cliff paths with extraordinary sea views. The section around Patara, with its ancient ruins and long sand beach, is more accessible.

Best time: October to May. Summer heat on the exposed coastal paths can be extreme.

The St Paul Trail

Less well-known than the Lycian Way but considered by experienced hikers to be arguably more varied. The St Paul Trail runs approximately 500 kilometres from the Mediterranean coast at Perge (near Antalya) north through the Taurus Mountains to the city of Yalvaç (ancient Antioch in Pisidia). It follows the route believed to have been taken by St Paul on his first missionary journey.

The landscape changes dramatically along the route — from Mediterranean scrubland through cedar forests, high plateau lakes and mountain passes. The trail passes through several remarkably well-preserved ancient sites. Difficulty varies considerably by section.

Cappadocia Valley Walks

Cappadocia offers day walks of exceptional quality, even for non-hikers. The valleys — Rose Valley, Love Valley, Ihlara Valley — are accessible, well-marked and visually extraordinary. Ihlara Valley, in particular, is a multi-hour riverside walk through a deep canyon lined with rock-cut Byzantine churches, combining physical exercise with serious historical interest.

The walks in Cappadocia are generally easier than the long-distance coastal trails and suitable for most levels of fitness. The best way to approach them is with a local guide who can identify the rock-cut churches and explain the historical context.

The Black Sea Highlands

The Kaçkar Mountains in the northeastern Black Sea region offer the most dramatic alpine hiking in Turkey. Peaks reaching 3,900 metres, glacial lakes, traditional highland villages and tea gardens at altitude — the Kaçkar range is comparable to the Alps in scenery and substantially less crowded.

The main trekking season is July to September, when the highland passes are clear of snow. Local guides are available from the valley towns. The region around Ayder highland and the upper Fırtına Valley are the most popular starting points.

Practical Information

Long-distance trails in Turkey are waymarked but signage quality varies. Detailed maps and GPS tracks are available from trekking organisations and specialist hiking apps. Carrying sufficient water is critical — reliable water sources are less frequent than in Northern European mountain environments.

Guided walking holidays in Turkey are available and represent good value — local guides add historical context that transforms the experience of walking through ancient landscapes.

Explore Turkey's extraordinary landscapes on our guided tours at alatourqo.com/tours.