Eastern Lycian Way from Antalya: 3, 5 and 7-day routes
Updated: 2026-09-25
The eastern Lycian Way is the wild half of the trail: higher, rougher and less forgiving than the Fethiye side. From Antalya the useful entry points are Göynük and Kemer for the mountain stages, or the Phaselis–Çıralı–Olympos coast for a shorter trip. If you want three days, five days or a full week, these are the versions that make sense without pretending the eastern route is as easy to stitch together as the west.
Where does the eastern Lycian Way start from Antalya?
There is no single city-centre trailhead in Antalya. For the eastern mountains, the practical start is around Göynük, north of Kemer. For shorter coastal trips, operators often begin around Phaselis, Tekirova or Beycik and use transfers to connect the strongest walking days.
That matters because the eastern route is less continuous logistically than the Fethiye side. Beds are thinner, some mountain sections are long, and a vehicle transfer can turn an awkward two-day link into one good walking day.
Three days: Phaselis, Çıralı and Gelidonya
The short self-guided version cherry-picks three eastern highlights: Alacasu/Phaselis to Tekirova, Beycik through Ulupınar and Chimaera to Çıralı, then the Gelidonya lighthouse section from the Adrasan/Karaöz side.
It is intentionally not a continuous through-hike. If you want a compact eastern sampler with the accommodation, luggage and route transfers handled, see the Antalya 3-day self-guided package.
Five days: the guided eastern highlights route
The five-day guided product uses a different shape: Phaselis/Tekirova, the coast toward Çıralı, Olympos over Musa Mountain to Adrasan and the Gelidonya side, with a licensed guide and group logistics.
It is a better fit if you want the ruins, route choices and geography explained rather than simply navigated. See the Eastern Lycian Way guided 5-day trek.
Seven days: Göynük, Tahtalı country, Olympos and Gelidonya
The seven-day self-guided version is the serious one. It starts around Göynük Canyon, climbs into the mountain villages around Gedelme and Kuzdere, crosses the Tahtalı flank toward Beycik, then comes down to Çıralı, Olympos, Adrasan and Gelidonya.
Several days are long and steep, including 16–19 km days and climbs around 1,000 metres. If you want the eastern trail to feel like a proper mountain week rather than a coastal sampler, see the Antalya 7-day self-guided route.
Guided or self-guided in the east?
Choose guided if you want the history and route decisions interpreted for you, or if the eastern mountains are unfamiliar terrain. Choose self-guided if you are comfortable with long hiking days and navigation but want the hotels, luggage and vehicle links organised.
The gap between those two products is bigger here than in Fethiye. The east has thinner accommodation, more elevation and fewer easy bailout points, so the logistics are more valuable even when you do not want a guide.
What are the key eastern stages?
The classic coastal highlights are Çıralı to Tekirova, Adrasan to Çıralı and Karaöz to Adrasan. The mountain side is around Göynük Yayla to Göynük and Kuzdere to Göynük Yayla.
The direction on a package itinerary may be the reverse of our stage-page title. That is normal; the trail is walkable both ways, but the official route descriptions are usually written west to east.
Which airport and where should you stay first?
Antalya Airport is the obvious gateway. For a mountain start, Antalya or Kemer makes the practical first night; for a coastal sampler, Tekirova or Çıralı may be the first useful base depending on the transfer plan.
The guided and self-guided packages include or arrange the transfers that make those starts workable. If you are building the route yourself, do not assume public transport reaches every trailhead at walking-friendly hours.
When is the best season for the eastern Lycian Way?
Spring and autumn. The high eastern stages can be cold and wet in winter, while the exposed coast becomes punishing in summer. October is usually the easiest compromise: warm sea, lower heat and most accommodation still operating.
If you are considering November or winter, see our seasonal Lycian Way guide. The eastern mountain sections need more caution than the Kaş coast once the weather turns.
Questions people actually ask
Can you start the Lycian Way from Antalya?
Yes, but there is no single Antalya city-centre trailhead. Eastern trips usually start from Göynük/Kemer for the mountain route or from Phaselis, Tekirova, Beycik or Çıralı for shorter coastal sections.
Is the eastern Lycian Way harder than the Fethiye side?
Generally yes. The eastern mountain stages have more climbing, thinner accommodation and fewer easy transport exits.
How many days do I need for the eastern Lycian Way?
Three days works for a highlights sampler, five for a guided eastern section, and seven for a fuller mountain-to-coast route.
Can I do the eastern Lycian Way self-guided?
Yes, if you are comfortable with long days and navigation. The operator’s self-guided packages arrange accommodation, luggage and route transfers.
Which airport should I use?
Antalya Airport. It is the natural gateway for Göynük, Kemer, Phaselis, Çıralı and the eastern stages.