Ever wondered what hidden gems you can discover off the beaten path? If you're eager to explore the breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and stunning architecture of Turkey’s hiking routes, this article is for you! From the Phrygian Way to the Ida Mountains Route, and from the Carian Way to the Lycian Way, Turkey offers a wide variety of hiking trails that beautifully blend nature with cultural heritage. Join us as we take you on a journey through some of the most scenic and historically significant routes across Turkey, perfect for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.
Explore Turkey’s Best Hiking Routes: Where History, Architecture, and Nature Meet
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1. The Lycian Way
The Lycian Way, one of Turkey's most beautiful and longest hiking trails, is 555 km long, where you can be alone with nature and surrounded by ancient cities. The route starts from Ovacık (Hisarönü) in Fethiye and ends in Gelikbayırı Village in Antalya, taking its name from the Lycians. The Lycian Way, which covers the most important centers of the Lycian Union, includes nearly 30 trails in total, including the Western, Central and Eastern Lycian Way. You can visit more than 20 ancient cities along the Lycian Way, which passes through magnificent spots such as Butterfly Valley, Fethiye, Kaş, Ölüdeniz, Kabak Bay, Kalkan, Kekova, Mount Olympus, Demre, Patara, Çıralı and Göynük Canyon. Along the way, don't forget to pay attention to the lines on the tracks determined by the Grande Randonnée sign system.
2. The Hittite Way
The Hittite Way, which includes the ancient cities of Alacahöyük, Hattusa and Şapinuva of the Hittites, the most powerful state of its time, covers the route of ancient caravan and migration routes. The 385-kilometer-long hiking route and 406-kilometer-long bicycle route, together with alternative routes, offer exciting alternatives for nature lovers, and the Hittite Way offers day-trip and long-term trail alternatives. Alacahöyük-Kalehisar-Mahmudiye; Çatak-Sultanköy-Kızılhamza Pond; İbikçam-Boğazkale-Hattusha; İncesu-Canyon-Kale; Karakaya-Alacahöyük and Şapinuva-İncesu Canyon routes of the Hittite Way, the long track of the Hittite Way, Alacahöyük-Boğazkale is 32 km long and Yazılıkaya-Boğazkale Pond-Hattusha track is 23 km long.
3. Mount Ida
The Ida Mountains route, with its villages that preserve their authenticity like a shelter with the clean oxygen of lush green forests, is one of the most preferred hiking routes for nature lovers and those who want to get away from the city. You will rediscover nature and yourself in the Ida Mountains National Park, which covers 21 thousand hectares from Edremit to Sarıkız. For easy hiking routes, Yayla - Ayı Deresi Trail, Şahindere Trails, consisting of two stages, and Tozlu-Çeyizdere Trail can be preferred for those who want medium difficulty. If you like challenging trails, the Tahtakuşlar-Kapaklı-Dumanlı-Tavşanoynağı-Sarıkız Tepe route awaits you.
4. Çamlıhemşin Plateau Road
You can set yourself dozens of different routes in the Black Sea plateaus, where words are not enough to describe. A hiking route covering the plateaus of Çamlıhemşinin can take about 1 week. The route, which includes daily 3-4 hour walks where you will discover lush green hills and beautiful villages, can be challenging at times. Pokut Plateau, Trovit, Sal Plateau, Samistal and Hazindak Plateaus, Karunç and Elevit are waiting for you.
5. Phrygian Way
The Phrygian Way, which was inhabited by the Phrygians in the past and now covers the region between Ankara, Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir and Kütahya, is still waiting for hiking lovers with its routes covering ancient ruins. The Phrygian Way, which does not proceed on a single line, has 3 different trails. The routes, which intersect in the city of Midas, which is considered to be the religious center of the Phrygians, have a total length of 506 km:
Seydiler-Yazılıkaya (Afyonkarahisar) Route is 140 km long.
Yenice - Yazılıkaya (Kütahya) Route is 147 km long.
Yazılıkaya-Gordion (Eskişehir-Ankara) Route is 219 km long.
6. Ephesus - Mimas Road
With a length of 709 km, the Ephesus - Mimas Trail is a walking path that will take you on an impressive experience at every step... The route starts from Selçuk and ends in Karaburun, historically known as Mimas, and covers the districts of Urla, Karaburun, Seferihisar, Çeşme, Güzelbahçe, Menderes and Selçuk. The route includes the ancient cities of Ephesus (Ephesus-Selcuk), Kolophon (Değirmendere-Menderes), Lebedos (Ürkmez-Seferihisar), Teos (Sığacık-Seferihisar), Klazomenai (İskele-Urla), Erythrai (Ildırı-Çeşme) and Phokaia (Foça).
7. Kaçkar Mountain
Another route for those who want to trek in the lush green plateaus and clean air of the Black Sea is Trans Kaçkar, the Kaçkar Mountains trekking trail. In addition to being one of the richest places in terms of vegetation in the world, the route fascinates everyone who walks with its glacial lakes, monasteries and castles hidden in the rocks. The trail, which can extend to a height of approximately 4 thousand meters, starts from Hopa; Artvin, Yusufeli, Barhal, Amanesket Plateau, Karagöl, Satibe Ridge, Olgunlar Plateau, Nastaf Plateau and Dilberdüzü Main Campground to the summit of Kaçkar Mountains.
8. Cappadocia
Another popular hiking destination is Cappadocia. Cappadocia's unique rock formations and fairy chimneys are very popular and enjoyable hiking routes... Especially in the valleys such as Göreme - Çavuşin Village, Kızılçukur Valley, Ihlara Valley, Aşıklar Valley, Güvercinlik Valley, you can explore the surrounding area.
9. Bozcaada
Bozcaada, the pearl of the Aegean and Çanakkale, is famous not only for its vineyard routes but also for its wonderful hiking routes. The natural beauties of Bozcaada and the walks you will take with the magnificent view of the vineyards offer you a pleasant and peaceful experience. You can take beautiful walks in Bozcaada with trails between 2-4 km in length.
10. Caria Road
Famous as Turkey's longest hiking route, the Carian Way has been named one of the 35 best places to visit in 2021 by National Geographic. Located in the ancient Carian region, the Carian Way offers a route of approximately 800 km starting from Muğla province and extending to Aydın province. The Carian Way offers a rich cultural experience to its visitors by combining historical ruins and natural beauty.