# Karaöz to Adrasan via Gelidonya lighthouse: the best eastern day

Stage 21 · Route 21 — Updated: 2026-09-07 — https://ghostofkas.com/lycian-way/karaoz-to-adrasan/

The reward for enduring the greenhouses. From Karaöz the path follows the cape south to the Gelidonya lighthouse, which stands above a scatter of islands where the Bronze Age shipwreck that rewrote Mediterranean archaeology was found, and then turns inland for a serious climb over the ridge and a long drop to Adrasan. GPS-measured at 20.4 km with almost 1,200 m up and the same down, around nine hours.

Many walkers split it: the lighthouse and back to Karaöz as one day, then a taxi to Adrasan, or the full stage with a very early start. The spring on the saddle is reported to run from March to November but should not be your only plan.

- Distance: 20.4 km
- Ascent: 1196 m
- Descent: 1192 m
- Time: 9 h
- Grade: Hard
- Terrain: Round the cape to the Gelidonya lighthouse, then a hard, thorny climb over the ridge with pitches above twenty percent and a long descent to Adrasan bay.
- Sleep at the end: Adrasan has many pensions along the beach and river; most open April to November
- Water: A spring on the saddle reported to run March to November; otherwise none confirmed. Carry a full day
- Getting there: Adrasan is reached by dolmuş from Kumluca; the road bypass from Karaöz goes via Çavuşköy
- From Kaş: About 2.5 h by road

## Ghost cities on this stage

- **Melanippe** — a small Lycian harbour settlement on the cape, walls and cisterns in the scrub near the lighthouse path.

## Highlights

- The Gelidonya lighthouse on its cape, one of the trail’s great viewpoints
- The Beş Adalar islands scattered below
- Adrasan, a long bay with pensions and a river

## The lighthouse without the ridge

Karaöz to the Gelidonya lighthouse and back is the classic day walk on this coast and needs no commitment to the ridge. It is a coastal path with the islands opening up as you go, and the lighthouse keeper’s terrace is the place for lunch. If you want the full stage with a bag transfer to Adrasan and a bed waiting, write to us; it is one of the eastern sections we put together most often.

Plan this with us: Tell us your dates, how many of you there are and how far you like to walk in a day. We reply within a day with a plan and a price from a licensed local agency — guided or self-guided, luggage moved, beds booked. No payment on this site. mailto:ghost@ghostofkas.com?subject=Lycian%20Way%20%E2%80%94%20Kara%C3%B6z%20to%20Adrasan%20(Gelidonya)

## Questions people actually ask

### How hard is Karaöz to Adrasan?

Hard: 20 km, 1,200 m of climbing with pitches over twenty percent, and nine hours. The lighthouse section alone is a moderate day walk.

### Is there water?

A spring on the saddle that runs roughly March to November according to reports, and nothing else confirmed. Carry a full day.

### Can I avoid the ridge?

Yes. Walk to the lighthouse and back, then go round by road via Çavuşköy to Adrasan.

All stages: https://ghostofkas.com/lycian-way/