The number of marked hiking trails in Turkey is growing. Here are the best treks:

The Lycian Way

Kate Clow's 500-km (311-mile) waymarked trail from Fethiye/Oludeniz west to Antalya through the Teke Peninsula is Turkey's first long waymarked trail.

St Paul Trail

Following the success of the Lycian Way, Kate Clow and Terry Richardson waymarked the St Paul Trail north from Perge and Aspendos, near Antalya, to Yalvac (Antioch-in-Pisidia) on the Anatolian plateau.

Cappadocia

A number of short trails wind through the volcanic Cappadocian landscape near Avanos, Goreme and Urgup.

Kackar Mountains

The Kackars stretch along the Black Sea coast in extreme northeastern Turkey. Dotted with historic Georgian churches, the mountains offer fine trekking possibilities from Ayder and Yusufeli.

Thank you for all your organisational skills - everything went according to plan... We had a fantastic time and despite no snow in Goreme enjoyed the walking... We also snowshoe'd on Erciyes in blizzard conditions on Friday but we saw that Oscar our guide came to no harm ! Middle Earth are to be congratulated - they provided a wonderful itinerary... with the inclusion of a Turkish bath etc. because the hot springs were closed (which they didn't need to) We enjoyed 'Oscars' company and his vast knowledge... Thanks again for your expertise.
Gordon & Cathie,
Feb 2009    

Trekking Tour Ideas

Snowshoeing in Cappadocia Tour

For our winter walks, when the Cappadocian valleys are made even more beautiful by a crisp coating of unsullied snow, we use snowshoes to access the caves, churches and villages of the area.

Cappadocia Trek

The fairy chimneys and secret valleys of Cappadocia offers the opportunity for some of the most fascinating day walks to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. The famous troglodyte villages and the amazing scenery are best enjoyed on foot. Walking possibilities are endless in this area of cave lived valleys and surreal rock formations. The walking is of moderate difficulty and is generally between 4 and 5 hours each day. There is also time en route to visit some of the attractive villages.

Pirates Coast Trek - the Lycian Way

This challenging new short trek follows the highest and most rugged section of Turkey's first ever long-distance footpath - the Lycian Way. The route snakes its way from the Mediterranean's most dramatic coastline, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos. It finishes at the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonia. a pension near the sea at Adrasan.

Seven Capes Trek - the Lycian Way

This exciting new trek follows the prettiest parts of Turkey's first ever long-distance footpath - the Lycian Way. The route snakes its way over bare hillsides and through scented pine forests overlooking the blue Mediterranean. It dips down to wonderful hidden beaches where sparkling waves lap smooth sands.

St Pauls Trail

This is a new, continuous trek from the ruins of Perge, through the Yazili Canyon National Park, and forms part of the new long distance walk from Perge to Antioch in Pisidia, in the Turkish Taurus mountains. The trek allows you to immerse yourself in the way of life of the inhabitants of the quaint old stone and timber villages on the route; you will frequently stay in village houses, see local handcrafts, watch cheese and yoghurt making and enjoy village foods.

Kachkar Mountains Trek

The Kachkar Mountains are the epitome of the mind set of the people living on and at their foot : It is hard to find a better example to hard work and to keep going despite difficulties leading to incredible beauty. The lush valleys clad with flowers, snow covered peaks, the little lakes which shine like jewels under the sun and with its passionate, friendly people the Kachkar region is very special indeed. The music from the goat skin, bag pipes and folk dancing is an inseparable part of the camp fires. Trekking in Kachkar Mountains is a mood changing experience. Choose either one week, or the two week programs and be a part of this experience.

Mt Ararat Trek

The extinct volcano, Agri Dagi (Mount Ararat) at 5,137 metres is the highest peak in Turkey. It is the final cone in the chain of volcanoes which march across the bare savannah of the central Anatolian plain.

Self-Guided Lycian Way

This tour offers you the opportunity to walk without a guide on some of the most beautiful sections of the Lycian Way. The route dips and weaves around the coast of Lycia between Fethiye and Antalya, where the Taurus Mountains meet the sea.