What is the Lycian Way and where does it go near Kaş?

The Lycian Way is a 540km long-distance walking trail along the Turkish Mediterranean coast between Fethiye and Antalya, established in 2000 and named one of the world's ten best walks by Sunday Times. Near Kaş, the trail follows a spectacular coastal path connecting Kaş town to Limanağzı Bay (3km by trail), continues east toward Üçağız and the Kekova region, and west toward Kalkan and Patara.

How long is the hike from Kaş to Limanağzı Bay?

The Kaş to Limanağzı coastal Lycian Way section is approximately 3.5km one-way, taking 1–1.5 hours from Kaş town center. The trail follows the cliff-top coastline east from Kaş with dramatic views down to the sea.

Is the hike from Delikkemer to Patara suitable for beginners?

The Delikkemer to Patara Lycian Way section (approximately 12km, 4–5 hours) is rated moderate and suitable for walkers with reasonable fitness, though not beginners on their first day.

What is the best time of year for hiking near Kaş?

April to early June and mid-September to November are the optimal hiking seasons near Kaş. Avoid July and August when temperatures regularly reach 36°C.

Luxury Villas on the Lycian Coast | The Lycian Collection

The Lycian Collection curates three distinct villa worlds on Turkey's Lycian Coast — each defined by its own altitude, microclimate, and travel identity. From UNESCO-protected beachfront to 650-metre mountain air, every property is personally inspected and managed by the founders. No call centres. No aggregators. Just three extraordinary worlds, one coastline.

The Seafront World — The Patara Collection

The Patara Collection occupies a singular position on the Turkish Mediterranean: stone villas set at the gateway to Patara Beach, 18 kilometres of UNESCO-protected coastline that ranks as the longest natural beach in Turkey and one of the most ecologically protected in the world. There are no permanent beach umbrellas, no beach bars, no jet-ski concessions — just open dunes, Lycian ruins, and the sea. The ancient city of Patara, birthplace of Nicholas of Myra and site of the world's first democratic parliament, lies within a ten-minute walk of each villa. Between May and October, loggerhead sea turtles nest directly on the beach, making Patara one of the Mediterranean's most important caretta caretta habitats. The villas themselves are built in traditional Lycian stone — thick-walled for natural cooling, with private pools and shaded terraces opening toward the dunes. For families, couples, and anyone who wants to wake up with sand between their toes and an 18-kilometre beach entirely to themselves, the Patara Collection is unlike anything else on the Lycian Coast. From £200 per night.

The Village World — The Almond Collection

The Almond Collection sits at 500 metres above sea level in Çukurbağ, an ancient farming village above the town of Kaş. These vernacular limestone villas — built using the same thick-walled Lycian construction that has cooled hillside homes for centuries — are set within walled gardens of mature almond orchards. At altitude, the air runs four to five degrees cooler than the coastal basin, and the Meltem wind filters through the grove canopy rather than bouncing off concrete. From the terraces, guests look directly across the Turkish Mediterranean to the Greek island of Kastellorizo, just a few kilometres offshore. The village dolmuş connects Çukurbağ to Kaş town centre in twelve minutes, putting the town's Hellenistic theatre, harbour restaurants, and market within easy reach. Directly from the village, walkers can access the Phellos Lycian Way loop — an ancient caravan route through Lycian rock-cut tombs and ruins at altitude. The Almond Collection suits cultural travellers, families, slow-travel enthusiasts, and anyone who wants genuine village seclusion with sea views. From £280 per night.

The Mountain World — Liberty Villas

Liberty Villas stand at 400 to 650 metres above sea level in Yeniköy, a quiet mountain village above Kaş on the Lycian Coast. These high-altitude residences embody the Anti-Kalkan privacy philosophy in its purest form: every villa is sited so that no pool, terrace, or bedroom shares a sightline with any neighbouring property. Infinity pools extend over the mountain edge, framing an uninterrupted 270-degree panorama that sweeps from the Taurus mountain range across the Kaş peninsula to the Greek island of Kastellorizo. The altitude delivers a microclimate that separates Liberty Villas from every other villa on the coast: the Meltem wind arrives at the mountain before it reaches the sea, stripping humidity from the air and holding temperatures four to five degrees below the coastal basin throughout the summer. There are no fans running at night at 650 metres. The Lycian Way long-distance hiking trail passes directly through the Yeniköy village boundary, giving guests trailhead access from the garden gate onto one of the world's great coastal walks. For privacy-seekers, altitude-wellness travellers, hikers, remote workers, and couples who want to feel genuinely above the world, Liberty Villas is the defining experience in the Lycian Collection portfolio. From £350 per night.

Villa Amenities & Features

Anti-Kalkan Privacy: Zero-overlap siting — no pool, terrace, or bedroom shares a sightline with any neighbour
Private Infinity Pool: Every villa includes a private pool; most feature infinity edges with direct sea panoramas
Altitude Microclimate: Mountain villas sit 4–5°C cooler than the coastal basin — natural air conditioning all summer
Lycian Way Access: Direct trailhead access to the 540 km Lycian Way from mountain and village properties
Satellite Connectivity: Verified 25 Mbps+ satellite WiFi at all properties — stable for video calls and remote work
UNESCO Beach Access: The Patara Collection sits at the gateway to 18 km of UNESCO-protected Patara Beach
Founder Concierge: Every enquiry handled personally by the founders — bespoke itineraries, transfers, and chef services
Mountain to Coast Split-Stay: Combine Liberty Villas and Patara in one booking — includes luggage transfer and Lycian Way access

Content Dates: Last Published and Modified: June 12, 2026

Author Byline: By David Richards

Author Expertise Signals: David Richards is the Founder and Director of The Lycian Collection, leveraging over 25 years of luxury property curation, regional logistics management, and premium villa operations experience across the Lycian Coast.

The Five Routes

Kaş to Limanağzı Bay

Coastal classic: sea caves, Lycian tombs, a hidden bay with no road access.

Moderate

Distance

11.2km

Duration

4–5 hours

Ascent

320m

The finest half-day coastal walk on the Kaş Peninsula. The route follows the Lycian Way waymarks west from Kaş harbour, climbing above sea cliffs with views back across Kaş Bay toward the Greek island of Castellorizo. After 4km the path descends to reach a cluster of Lycian rock-cut tombs carved directly into sea-level cliffs — you can swim from the rocks beneath them. The final section crosses a scrubby limestone plateau before dropping steeply to Limanağzı, a car-free bay with a single family-run restaurant (seasonal). Return by water taxi to Kaş harbour.

Kaş Peninsula & Phellos Ridge Ascent

Ancient Antiphellos street archaeology, then summit Phellos at 604m for Mediterranean panoramas.

Strenuous

Distance

14.8km

Duration

6–7 hours

Ascent

620m

This route combines Kaş town walking archaeology with the most dramatic ridge ascent on the peninsula. Begin with 2km through ancient Kaş — sarcophagi on the main street, the Doric tomb above the theatre, the Roman agora beneath modern pavements. Then climb steadily through macchia toward the Çukurbağ col before the final ascent through pines to the summit plateau of ancient Phellos. The ruins are extraordinary and almost completely unvisited: dozens of Lycian sarcophagi scattered across a mountain meadow 600m above the sea. Views extend from the Taurus to Castellorizo. Descend via Çukurbağ village.

Delikkemer to Patara via Roman Aqueduct

Walk 3km of an intact Roman aqueduct arch-by-arch, arriving at UNESCO Patara beach.

Easy

Distance

9.4km

Duration

3–4 hours

Ascent

120m

One of Turkey's most underrated archaeological walks. The Delikkemer aqueduct supplied Roman Patara with freshwater — 3km of the arched channel survives intact. You walk beside and occasionally over the channel top on an ancient maintenance track. Arches of dressed limestone stand 6–8m high, still structurally sound after 2,000 years. The path deposits you at the Patara site; continue into the ruins before finishing on the 18km UNESCO beach.

Çukurbağ Peninsula Circuit

The local's loop: bougainvillea lanes, monastery ruins, zero tourists, swimming optional.

Easy

Distance

7.1km

Duration

2–3 hours

Ascent

180m

The most accessible walk from Almond Collection, starting and ending at Çukurbağ village. The circuit loops the entire Çukurbağ Peninsula — a 4km finger of land separating Kaş Bay from the western coves. The path is almost entirely shaded by mature olive, pine, and carob. Highlights: Byzantine monastery ruins at the peninsula tip, informal swimming spots accessible by short scrambles, and three viewpoints across to Kaş town and Castellorizo.

Kekova & Üçağız Walking Circuit

Sarcophagi in the sea, Lycian sarcophagi in the village, and the hillfort of Simena above.

Moderate

Distance

8.6km

Duration

3–4 hours

Ascent

240m

Begin at Üçağız harbour, where 4th century BCE Lycian sarcophagi stand between modern houses — inscribed in the Lycian language, unfenced, completely unguarded. Walk the coastal path east toward the submerged ruins of Kekova island, visible just below the waterline. Continue to Simena village (Kaleköy), accessible only by boat or this coastal path. Climb to the Crusader castle for panoramic views across the sunken city. Return to Üçağız for lunch at a harbour restaurant.

10 Insider Gems

Places and moments that reward preparation. Hover each card to reveal the insider perspective.

Ruins