Demre to Finike
Stage 14 of the Lycian Way — Demre to Finike, mixed terrain.
About this stage
A transitional stage from the town of Demre to the orange-growing centre of Finike, following a mix of mountain paths and rural roads. The trail passes through greenhouse agriculture and citrus orchards. Finike has full supermarkets and is the last major resupply point before the remote eastern sections of the trail.
Stage highlights
- Citrus orchards and greenhouse farming
- Finike harbour town
- Last major resupply before Adrasan
What to expect on the trail
The terrain mixes coastal cliffs, forest paths and open ridges, often with archaeological sites along the way. Varied underfoot and visually rewarding.
Shade is patchy. Pine forest sections offer relief, but exposed coastal stretches and ridge walks require a sun hat, sunscreen and frequent water breaks in summer.
You'll move between roughly 4 m and 1770 m above sea level on this stage — 1963 m total ascent and 2042 m descent over 41 km.
One of the toughest stages on the Lycian Way — sustained ascent, exposed terrain and limited bail-out options. Recommended only for experienced trekkers in good condition.
Getting there
Public transport access between Demre and Finike is limited. Most hikers reach this stage by walking from a neighbouring section, or by private taxi from Antalya or Fethiye (a 1-2 hour drive depending on the trailhead).
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 14 of 27, part of the Demre & Olympos section — the eastern coast around Demre, Finike, Adrasan and the ancient site of Olympos. It connects stage 13 (Üçağız to Andriake/Demre) to stage 15 (Finike to Karaöz), and works well as part of a multi-day section walk.
Best time to walk this stage
The Lycian Way is best walked in spring (mid-March to mid-May) or autumn (mid-September to mid-November). October and April offer the most reliable weather: mild temperatures, clear skies, wildflowers in spring or olive harvest in autumn, and far fewer hikers than the shoulders of those windows. Summer (June-August) is generally too hot for comfortable walking — coastal stages routinely exceed 35°C and water sources dry up. Winter (December-February) brings rain to the coast and snow to mountain passes; the trail is walkable but conditions are unpredictable, especially on the higher inland stages.