A New Viewpoint on the Lycian Way!

The viewpoint (summit on the right) from the west

On a hot and humid summer day in July, we left  the Culture Routes Society office in the centre of Antalya and headed towards the mountains around the city. We first arrived at Hisarçandır, a village located high up on the Lycian Way; where there is a small neighborhood with a market, a mosque, a coffee house and a dozen small houses. In recent years, it seems that those who want to escape from the heat of Antalya move here from the city.

At the mosque at the entrance of Hisarçandır, we turned into narrow lanes running between houses and started up the forest road going to the few houses of Elmayanı. Then we turn onto a narrow forestry dirt road that connects to Üçsöğüt summer pasture. Hisarçandır is now far below on our left side and on our right are the mountain slopes covered by cedar trees – we are at about 1500m altitude.

New waymarks on the pathway under the cedars

The Lycian Way runs for two kilometers along the forest road and two km on footpath between Elmayanı and Üçsöğüt. We aim to change the route so that it all runs on footpath ending at Üçsöğüt Yayla. In this way, the route will be a more pleasant walk on a wonderful path under the shadow of cedars!

Kate Clow way-marking the new section

We parked at the place where the present route joins the forest road, and started waymarking with red and white oil paint, linking the new section to the old with turn signs, and a cross to indicate the wrong direction. We place more frequent marks at the beginning of routes, because we don’t want walkers to miss the beginning of the path and continue on the wrong direction. The way marks, which are on suitable rocks and tree trunks are always bidirectional. Thus, hikers from either direction can follow this route easily.

We waymark up a very beautiful path on the new route, until we come to a rock fall that breaks the path for less than 100m. Looking up the slope, it is easy to spot the place that the rocks fell from…

View from the viewpoint

Beyond the rock fall, the path divides. We mark the junction in order to add a great viewpoint to this new section. If you turn right at the junction, after 10 minutes you arrive at the summit of Taştan Atıcı Peak, where there is a wonderful view and even a wooden seat to rest on. You will enjoy the cool breeze, especially on a summer day… Antalya seems under the clouds of moisture; the valleys of the Taurus Mountains on one side, and the sun setting behind the magnificent mountains on the other… It is impossible not to fall in love here!

Sunrise over Antalya, under the cloud of morning mist

From the junction point, the route goes down on good paths through the forest to Üçsöğüt Yayla, where there is a good water source and sometimes a friendly shepherd. There is no other water on the route.

From Üçsoğut Yayla, you have two possibilities. The main Lycian Way rejoins and crosses the forest road, continung down towards the main road just below Hisarçandır.

Alternatively, you can continue on path marked in red and yellow towards Gedeller village, where there is water and a cafe. From Gedeller, a second red-yellow route continues to meet the coastal road at Antalya’s main western bus garage (Sarısu).

Drone trials at the viewpoint

The Lycian Way follows old roads and paths as much as possible. These roads were used in Lycia during the Roman and Ottoman times. Of course, these roads have not been completely discovered today. For this reason, it is normal for the Lycian Way to leave the old roads from time to time and follow the forest road or asphalt roads of today. Nevertheless, in order to make the walk more enjoyable, we are trying to keep the route on the forest roads and paths as much as we can; keeping in mind that the theme of this excellent route!

So, this activity has been a good example of path finding and updating the Lycian Way. Thus, we continue to go as far as we can from the footsteps of the old roads and paths. We hope you will enjoy walking on these amazing paths that pass through forests.

See you on the paths!

Berhat Onat Alan

Culture Routes Society