Cappadocia-Lycia
This trip links two very different regions: the volcanic tuff valleys of Cappadocia and the coastal trails of the Lycian Way. To judge whether it suits you, compare the walking times, the moderate ascents and descents given day by day, and the long transfers between Ihlara, Konya and Antalya. It is a 13-day guided circuit, not a continuous walk.
- Cappadocia & the Lycian Coast — From Kayseri to Antalya, a graded walking itinerary linking the volcanic valleys of Cappadocia to the Lycian Way and the Mediterranean: cave villages, underground cities, Silk Road caravanserais and ancient Lycian sites.
Decision guide · Cappadocia and Lycia
Understanding a trip across two regions
Cappadocia and the Lycian coast differ in terrain, climate and logistics. These notes help you read each half of the itinerary, the season and the level before you request a proposal.
Two landscapes: Cappadocian tuff and the Lycian coast
In Cappadocia, eruptions of Erciyes, Hasan Dağ and Göllüdağ covered the region in tuff that wind and water have since carved. Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, a listing that includes the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı. The itinerary spends five walking days here: the Üzengi and Gomeda valleys to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), the underground city of Mazı, Keşlik and Golgoli, Uçhisar and the White Valley, Zelve, Paşabağ and the Rose and Red valleys.
The Ihlara canyon marks the transition. According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s culture portal, the Melendiz river winds through some thirty meanders here, and 105 rock-cut churches have been recorded, 14 of them open to visitors. The trip then heads to Konya via the Seljuk caravanserai of Sultanhanı, built in 1229, visits the Mevlâna Museum and crosses the Taurus to Antalya.
On the coast, the Lycian Way follows about 760 km of Roman roads, old footpaths and mule trails, often stony underfoot, between Fethiye and Antalya, according to the Culture Routes Society. The itinerary picks out a few days on it: Ulupınar and Yanartaş, where the flames linked to the Chimaera myth burn, Maden cove and Çıralı, then the Kekova and Aperlae area, before Arykanda and Termessos.
Season: two climates in one trip
The trip page names April to June and September to October as ideal; July and August are possible, with a pace adapted to the heat. For the Lycian Way, the Culture Routes Society recommends February to May and September to November, and considers summer too hot for long walks.
The same week can feel quite different on the Cappadocian plateaus and by the Mediterranean. Pack a warm layer for Cappadocian mornings, then sun protection, water and a swimsuit for the Lycian section. Check the forecast for both regions shortly before departure; the itinerary may be adjusted to conditions.
Boat trips in Kekova Bay depend on the sea. Kekova has been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 2000; the area lies within the Kaş-Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area, and several shores can only be reached by boat.
Level, daily walking and transfers
The catalogue lists level 3. Walking days range from 2 to 6 hours with moderate ascents and descents: for example +145 m / −90 m on day two, +350 m / −400 m between Göreme, Uçhisar and Çavuşin, or +175 m / −675 m down to Maden cove. Trails mix paths, tracks and rocky sections, with no particular technical difficulty.
Road time adds to the fatigue. Transfers are given as about 3 hours from Ihlara to Konya and about 3 hours from Konya to Antalya, in a private air-conditioned vehicle. On the coast, descents are often longer than climbs: proper hiking boots are essential, and the recommended kit includes walking poles and a water bottle of at least 1.5 litres.
Groups have 6 to 15 people, led by a guide specialised in trekking who speaks your group’s language (English for English-speaking groups). Accommodation combines cave hotels in Cappadocia, family guesthouses on the Lycian coast and comfortable hotels in stopover towns; the written proposal confirms properties and meals.
Which trip should you read for Cappadocia and Lycia?
One published trip currently links the two regions. This note is a reading aid; only the itinerary and written proposal confirm stages, accommodation and services.
- Cappadocia & the Lycian Coast — Read this if you want a 13-day guided circuit from Kayseri to Antalya, with progressive hikes in Cappadocia, major sites and a few stages on the Lycian Way; the catalogue lists level 3.
Useful guides before choosing
Frequently asked questions about Cappadocia and the Lycian coast
Is this a continuous walk from Cappadocia to Lycia?
No. It is a 13-day guided circuit combining day hikes in both regions with visits and vehicle transfers, notably between Ihlara, Konya and Antalya.
What fitness level do I need?
The catalogue lists level 3. You need good fitness and should be used to walking several hours a day: 2 to 6 hours depending on the day, with moderate ascent and no technical sections.
When is the best time to go?
April to June and September to October, according to the trip page. July and August are possible but hotter; the Culture Routes Society considers summer too hot for long walks on the Lycian Way.
Which sites are included in the itinerary?
Among others the underground city of Mazı, Göreme, Uçhisar, Zelve and Paşabağ, the Ihlara canyon, Sultanhanı caravanserai, the Mevlâna Museum, Yanartaş, Aperlae, Kekova Bay, Arykanda and Termessos.
Can we swim?
Yes. The Lycian section includes swim stops, for example at Maden cove and during the boat trip in Kekova Bay, depending on weather and sea conditions.
Where do we stay?
In cave hotels in Cappadocia, family guesthouses on the Lycian coast and comfortable hotels in the stopover towns. The written proposal confirms the properties.
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