Lycian way October/2015

Hello fellow travelers,

I am just writing to ask a few questions about my trip to Turkey as I have never been there before. I will be flying to Dalaman airport and will spend 2 weeks (from the 9th of October) hiking the Lycian way from Fethiye (or other nearby starting point if better?) to Antalya.

1. I am a solo traveler, is the trail busy this time of the year (I hope I will find some hiker on route).
2. Is the weather/water still warm?
3. Unfortunately my time does not allow me to go all the way therefore I will need to skip some sections by taking bus. Do you have any recommendation which section is less interesting? I enjoy the beaches but also climbing mountains so hard to choose ( I would skip a section like the Meseta on the camino as an example).
4. What sort of average cost I should calculate (I am not a big spender..)if let's say I will stay in pensiyon every other day and camp on the next? Is it better to take euros/pounds and change money there?
5. I am preparing my camping gear based on my trip to the camino in Spain, is there anything on this route that you could not do without or something that you took but regretted later on?
6. is there wifi on the bars/restaurants generally?
7. anything to mention regarding safety?

That is all I can think of at the moment. I have bought Kate Clow's book so I hope that will also help. Also I would appreciate any other (apart from the ones mention above) piece of advise you have. Thanking you in advance.

All the best,
Peter

You can drop Pydnai to Patara possibly, then Demre to Mavikent.

I've only done short day hikes along different sections but perhaps I can help a bit with some general info.

I am a solo traveler, is the trail busy this time of the year (I hope I will find some hiker on route).

September and October are considered two of the best months for hiking in the area as July and August are extremely hot and humid.

Is the weather/water still warm?

Some mornings may be rather cool but in general the weather is glorious with very little chance of rain until later in October. It would be very unusual for the sea to be considered "too cool".

Unfortunately my time does not allow me to go all the way therefore I will need to skip some sections by taking bus. Do you have any recommendation which section is less interesting? I enjoy the beaches but also climbing mountains so hard to choose ( I would skip a section like the Meseta on the camino as an example).

In general the Lycian coast is very rugged with mountains rising directly from the sea. This is why very little of the trail is in view of the sea. It also means, unfortunately, that the trail is on the other side of mountains from what is quite arguably the most beautiful stretch of coast in the country (it is between Kalkan and Kaş). The few sections of coast that are low in elevation and at least reasonably flat find highly intensive agriculture--frequently in the form of "seas" of greenhouses filled with bananas, tomatoes, citrus, etc. In these areas there is usually reed-filled brackish band of varying width at the coast itself with the greenhouses starting as soon as the land is high enough that salt water does not intrude. While the definition of "mountain" varies, you will have PLENTY of climbs and descents!!!! Also long sections where you are lucky to even glimpse the sea. Sorry, but I don't know enough about the trail to suggest sections to skip.

What sort of average cost I should calculate (I am not a big spender..)if let's say I will stay in pensiyon every other day and camp on the next? Is it better to take euros/pounds and change money there?

While I may be underestimating I believe 10 pounds/day for food and 10 pounds/night for a simple pension are possible. I would however at least double that price for accommodation if you are within a mile of a true beach. Presuming you're from the U.K. take pounds. While there won't be many places to change money along the hike you can change money in Fethiye. Pounds are very widely accepted so in a pinch you're unlikely to have any problem using them. Efes (the major Turkish brand of beer) is a decent pilsner with the lowest price (draft especially) of any type of alcohol. Rakı, some Turkish wines and local vodka/rum are also reasonably priced. Anything imported is quite expensive.

I am preparing my camping gear based on my trip to the camino in Spain, is there anything on this route that you could not do without or something that you took but regretted later on?

Two things I suggest: insect repellent (mosquitoes are VERY dense in some areas) and water purification tablets (if you need to get water from an "iffy" source). On the subject of mosquitoes: Particularly if you're one of those people who seem to attract them I suggest getting some ointment(s) from a pharmacy in Fethiye before you begin. Turkish mosquitoes burn and itch INTENSELY!!!!

is there wifi on the bars/restaurants generally?

WiFi is nearly universal in places of accommodation at all levels. That said, I know that parts of the Lycian way are quite remote and pass through only the tiniest of villages. Wi-Fi in restaurants--particularly the simple inexpensive ones--isn't as common. I've never had a need for it at any bar in Turkey as I'm one of those crazy people who refuses to own a smart phone or tablet.

anything to mention regarding safety?

Nothing that does not apply to general travel in Western Europe. Despite news you hear, Turkey is an extremely safe country where violent crime is rare and even property crimes of opportunity are less common than nearly anyplace I've visited in the world. The present political problems are extraordinarily unlikely to affect you (considering where you will visit) in any way whatsoever.

I forgot to mention something.

I've heard of some people hiking or biking along that beautiful stretch of coast I mentioned between Kalkan and Kaş. Personally I consider them extremely foolish (or perhaps they're just "telling a story"). The two-lane highway is the ONLY place. It is filled with extremely sharp blind curves. There is little or no shoulder on the sea side with the guard rail typically installed at the very edge of a sheer drop certain to be deadly. While there is typically a shoulder of sorts on the land (mountain) side, it is often a rather shallow ditch filled with rocks/boulders that have fallen down the side of the mountain. While the foreign tourists and buses drive sanely, the same cannot be said for some Turkish--particularly those driving powerful (German) cars. In my opinion anyone hiking/biking that route has a true death wish.

The Lycian Way only follows the road a few kms before Kalkan where it is vey wide and not a problem.

Thank you swampeastmike for your detailed answer, found it very useful:) Have another few extra...:D...

Do you know by any chance if there is a 24 hour bus services from Dalaman airport to Fethiye or Oludeniz (my flight arrives at midnight). Had a search on google, it says there is a havas bus service which has a shuttle from the airport for every flight but no further details, timetable etc. It can also be seasonal...(I will arrive on the 9th of October) Also I am not so sure what sort of adaptor I should take for my UK charger. Is it slandered European plugs in Turkey or different?

Thanks again.

Thank you willemspie. The Demre-Mavikent etap is 54km, very long, it seem to have a long beach walk on the second part, I guess it is not ideal to walk along holiday makers I will skip that. The Demre- Finike section is a climb up to 1800 m, it is a 3 day trip sounds like a challenge with no pensions or supply available on the route. I need to think about that one as it seem to be the highest point of the trail which must not be missed but that altitude requires a different approach already. Thank you for your advice.

Do you know by any chance if there is a 24 hour bus services from Dalaman airport to Fethiye or Oludeniz (my flight arrives at midnight). Had a search on google, it says there is a havas bus service which has a shuttle from the airport for every flight but no further details, timetable etc.

The Havaş bus transfers (to Fethiye and Marmaris) are available for all domestic flights. I presume that yours is an international flight from the UK most of which are actually tour company charters. Turkish Airlines has a flight from Istanbul arriving Dalaman at 01:25 Hopefully you'll be done with customs in time to get the bus. Otherwise it's taxi as the next flight doesn't arrive until mid-morning. I very much doubt that you will find any sort of bus service into Ölüdeniz before six or seven in the morning.

Also I am not so sure what sort of adaptor I should take for my UK charger.

Turkey uses the standard 2-pin European plugs.

The Lycian Way only follows the road a few kms before Kalkan where it is vey wide and not a problem.

Yes, I know that. I previously said that the trail, unfortunately, is on the other side of the mountains from that stretch of coast. At least there is a view of a nearly endless "sea" of greenhouses shimmering in the sun ;) I wrote about the road in the event that someone might consider hiking it instead of the trail.

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