Walking..Lycian Way

[Martynb]

Hi

Will be in Kalkan for a week from 21st October.   We have been many times before but this time we would like to go for a long walk on the Lycian Way

We have walked before from Bezirgan ( sorry if that's not spelled correctly ) back to Kalkan.

This time would like to make a full day of it 8 or 9 hours walking.  The Bezirgan one only took us 3 hours or so

Any ideas

Thanks in advance

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=10261.0

[mark]

This might give you some ideas: three days hiking in early May this year from Ovacik to Gavuragili, but really they could be individual day trips with some tweaks.  I hope to return later this month to do some more walking.  Also, the Sunday walking group should be in full swing by the time you come out.

I would be interested in the Bezirgan walk, did you come down over the tunnel?
Were there way marks? 

http://enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=9129.msg63843#msg63843

Mark

[Martynb]

We got a lift up to Bezirgan and got dropped on the road at the top.  We walked through
 the  village and then at the back of the grain silos the Lycian Way started...it was very well marked

It came out near the mosque and has lovely views over Kalkan..not sure what you mean about tunnel.  We walked back along the road and then back down into Kalkan if thats any help

[kalkan4eva]

Martynb, try sending a PM to M&M (God I sound like I work for M15... )
M&M seem to organise lots of walks in the area and may be able to give you some ideas - send them a personal message is what I mean by the code above

[M n M]

Hi Martynb
The Sunday walks haven't started yet, as the weather has only just cooled down enough.
The problem with walking the Lycian Way is that most of the walks are linear, so transport is difficult.
If we are walking whilst you are here we will post details on this forum.
M n M

[mark]

Martynb,

As I understand it, Bezirgan valley used to be underwater with all the run off from the mountains (it still floods in the rainy season).  A previous civilisation (not sure if this was the Greeks, Lykians or Hittites) decided to drain the water by boring a tunnel at the Southern end and created the fertile valley that Bezirgan is today. 

Mark

[Adidasfish]

Walking to Patara and getting a dolmus back is a nice day walk. Depending on your fitness and how far you want to walk you can vary this one. Starting from Akbel is the easiest / shortest walk and you will contour most of the way along the old Roman syphon before dropping down to seal level at Patara. Alternatively for a longer, tougher day with a few ups and downs, start from Kalamar bay and walk around the coast, this is probably about 6 hours and you will need lots of water. Start early while it's cool. Nice views of the sea and this takes you via the old roman aqueduct at Delikkemer before dropping down to Patara. Or if you have a car you can shorten this walk significantly by driving towards Patara and taking the Delikkemer turnoff and parking near the aqueduct and starting by picking up the waymarks from there. The dolmus you get back from Patara will drop you at the bottom of this road when you return from the beach if you ask. Either way, when you reach Patara you then have the opportunity to have a potter around the ruins,  then a swim to cool off followed by celebratory beers and something to eat at the cafe, a siesta and catching the dolmus back to Kalkan. A nice varied day combining walking, ruins and Patara beach too.
Another option if you have a car is to drive to Sidyma and combine 2 optional legs of the Lycian Way into a single circular walk via Bel/Gey. It's long (25k) but its relatively easy going with not too many ups and downs and great views for much of the way over Yediburun, plus ruins to explore at Sidyma.
And Berzigan can also be done as a loop by walking up from the Kas road and back down by a different route (for most of the way). I'm sure you will enjoy whichever you decide!

[mark]

Adidasfish,

You said, "start from Kalamar bay and walk around the coast".  I have heard that this is a tricky bit with sharp rocks and even scrambling.  How did you find it.  I would really love to do the walk starting from my street (Yildiz Sokak) and going around but have been put off by other's reports.

Mark

[mark]

We did the walk from Kalamar Bay to Patara yesterday (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1846978).  It was great and not at all dangerous, did involve some scrambling and we lost the trail very early on but came across it again the other side of Firnaz Bay.  It took seven and a half hours in total with not a lot of breaks.  The last bus back from Patara is at 5:30pm.

Mark

[Adidasfish]

Glad you enjoyed it, out of curiosity did you pick up the start OK?

[mark]

Adidasfish,

Started on Yildiz Sokak and turned right where the new(?) way marks are and lost the track within five hundred metres; did not pick it up again until a kilometre or so before the aqueduct.
This might be why we felt while difficult for the first 5k we did not come across dangerous parts that we could not avoid.  We were always ready to turn around anyhow. 
We are going to do it the other way from Delikemmer to see where the waymarked trail actually goes.

Mark

[Adidasfish]

Hi Mark
There are no dangerous bits on the first section (apart from scratches from overhanging trees). The only slightly difficult bit is that very short vertical haul up onto the rocky part just before you reach the aqueduct, where you have to very briefly use your hands. Apart from that little section, it's just a 'normal' footpath/goat track!