About this stage
A varied stage from Üçağız to ancient Myra, on the northern edge of Demre. The Culture Routes Society has rerouted this section inland: from the bay the trail climbs over the hills through Gürses and past the ruins at İstlada to Davazlar, then follows the upper route over the higher ground and down through Alakent to Myra — about 31 km. It ends at the Likya Yolu information post near Myra's spectacular rock-cut tombs and Roman theatre. The Church of St Nicholas in Demre is about 2 km further on, and the massive Roman granary at Andriake harbour about 4.5 km to the south-west. This is one of the most archaeologically rich stages on the trail.
Stage highlights
- Myra rock-cut tombs and theatre
- Church of St Nicholas (Santa Claus)
- Andriake Roman granary, 4.5 km from Myra
- Kekova views on descent
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.
Water is available at intervals along the route, but plan refills carefully. Top up at every village fountain or natural spring you pass; gaps of 2-3 hours between sources are common.
Shade is patchy. The inland route climbs over the hills to Davazlar and follows the higher ground to Alakent, so a sun hat, sunscreen and frequent water breaks are needed in summer.
You'll move between roughly 3 m and 762 m above sea level — 875 m of ascent and 860 m of descent over 30.6 km, about 9.5 hours of walking, with sustained climbing over the hills behind the bay. Start at first light and carry more water than you think you'll need.
Getting there
Üçağız lies down a signed side road off the Kaş–Demre highway, about 33 km (about 50 min) by road from Kaş, and a dolmuş runs there from Kaş via Demre. The stage ends at Myra, on the northern edge of Demre, which has a bus station; buses and dolmuş on the coast road link Demre with Kaş, Finike and Antalya, and Kaş is about 46 km (about 45 min) away by road.
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 13 of 26, part of the Central Coast & Kekova section — the central section linking the harbour towns of Kalkan, Kaş and Üçağız with the sunken city of Kekova. It connects stage 12 (Aperlae to Üçağız) to stage 14 (Myra (Demre) to Finike), 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.