An alternative, not a numbered stage
This is a waymarked alternative on the Lycian Way, not part of the main numbered sequence. It is a variant of Stage 22, Phaselis to Gedelme — walk one or the other, not both. Signage on the ground is the authority: follow the waymarks and carry the route on your phone.
About this route
A low alternative for the first leg out of Phaselis, following the old service road inland to Çamyuva below the Tahtalı cable car. Easy gradients and good surfaces make it a practical bad-weather or rest-day option before the long climb to Gedelme.
Route highlights
- Gentle walking out of ancient Phaselis
- Passes below the Tahtalı cable-car line
- Ends in Çamyuva with transport links along the coast
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.
You'll move between roughly 0 m and 197 m above sea level on this route — 362 m total ascent and 169 m descent over 7.5 km.
An easy stage by Lycian Way standards — short, with modest height gain. It still crosses rough ground in places, so walking shoes with grip are worth having.
Water and shade
Water is available in places along this route, but sources are seasonal — treat anything you take from a spring and start with a full bottle. Shade is patchy, so a hat and sun cover matter outside the cooler months.
Getting there
There is no scheduled bus or dolmuş serving either end of this route. Hikers reach it on foot from the main trail, or by private taxi from Antalya or Fethiye.
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.