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Most of these changes apply to the second edition of the book. Where possible we have given page, paragraph and line references to help you locate changes quickly. Note that text in bold is either rewritten or new route description, where either the previous information was imprecise or the route has altered due to new roads or building work, storm damage or for any other reasons. These updates will ensure that you can walk in safety. Note: The new 3rd edition incorporates most of these changes. We strongly recommend that you buy the latest version (3rd edition) of the guidebook as the map is much improved.
Useful information
Camping Gaz: If you arrive in Dalaman,
the following three shops stock the pierce type 190gr cylinders:
Lipitgaz, Ataturk Caddesi 126
Aygaz, Ataturk Caddesi 5/E
Totalgaz, Ataturk Caddesi 75
SECTION 1 This section has been re-waymarked spring 2009.
The Olu Deniz Rotary Club have placed unauthorized signposts at the beginning of the trail. The Garanti signs have been removed. The first part of the route has been bulldozed to make a 'fire road' (as far as the cisterns para 2 page 42). It's possible that building may start on the land to the R of this road; if there is any sign of building activity please report back.
P43, para 1, line 4. In September and October bee-keepers put their hives right on the path. If you are allergic to bee-stings you should be very careful to avoid getting stung.
SECTION 2 This section has been re-waymarked 2009.
P 44, para 2, line 9. Someone fell and broke several bones trying to ascend to Faralya from Butterfly Valley – and could easily have died. If you do choose to go up or down here take great care; I do not recommend it.
P45, para 3, line 8. The pension and campsite owners at Kabak have started to put waymarks leading to their accommodation. The true path is the one that leads down the side of Mama’s restaurant. Some waymarks may be missing.
P 46, para 2, line 5. Reported difficulties here. Suggest keeping on the west side of the ‘old cottage’ in order to find the waymarks leading on. A fallen grape vine reported to have blocked the route here.
P 46 para 3, line 5. Note that the cemetery is out of sight and that the path from the main stream to the junction with the main path is unmarked.
SECTION 3 This section has been re-waymarked 2009.
P 48, para 1, 2 and 3. This section has just been repaired but people who are afraid of heights should use the road - the path runs above a steep drop.
P48 para 4, line 1. The G3 path is now a tractor road leading to the cistern.
SECTION 4a Waymarked in 2009 from Sidyma to Bel only.
P50 last para. Head down a track then turn R on a goat track alongside the stream bed. There is a short climb out to the road. P 51, para 1, line 1. The new road has been widened – the waymarks are usually on poles here but look out for the left turn up to the pass.
SECTION 4b Waymarked in 2009.
The coastal path after the olives is very narrow and can be slippery. Don't use in high wind or after rain.
SECTION 5
SECTION 6 Waymarked in 2009.
No reported changes. A dolmuş runs from the beach near Pydnai to Kınık.
SECTION 7 This section has been substantially shortened and re-waymarked in 2009. Look out for the changes below.
P 61, Inpınar to Akbel para 2 . …arrives at an open area. Bear L around the lower part of the pines and head diagonally up across rough grass and olives for 200m to a path below a rock fact leading into a gully. On the far side, climb between rocks into an olive grove on a slope. Walk diagonally up on G2 path leading to another gully and cross it into macquis. Pass an electricity pylon and continue towards Uzumlu, with the road below/R. Join a G5 track and turn L towards the upper part of the village. After nearly 1km turn R /down to the village centre.
P62 Üzümlü to Akbel para 2…..turn R onto G1 path and walk gently downhill through maquis. At the entrance to a field turn L/down to the river and cross a ford. On the far side climb 150m bearing L to find the start of a good G2-3 path climbing in zigzags. Level with old cottages turn R, cross a gully and climb the far side to join the line of the old aqueduct from Islamlar to Akbel. The first part runs on a ledge, then it continues through maquis contouring towards Akbel. Approaching the pass, cross open fields then turn down to a cottage. Continue on track past a new house and emerge 30m from the junction next to a spring.
SECTION 8 Partly re-marked 2009. Between Akbel and Delikkemer a new main road has been constructed. The junction is clearly marked. P63 Para 2…. Then bear L/upwards and follow G5 track past houses then below a building site to the new road. On the far side of the road follow G2 path through olives then maquis skirting the N slopes…..
SECTION 9 Waymerked in spring 2009.
No reported changes, but some people report difficulties finding the start of the route. We are not allowed to mark in historical areas.
The optional route to Kemer is well-marked but difficult with a full pack as you have to duck under branches and climb rocks. …. it then bears L then descends a clear section with the sea on the R. It becomes less clear as it crosses a gully then climbs again. Where it appears to stop, turn R over rocks and climb down to meet a G1 path contouring a gully to a large rock. From here follow G2 path around a headland then climb over stones until you see Kalkan. From here it descends slightly to a gully then continues on clear G3 path to an olive grove, crossing a G5 track. Join G5 track then turn up towards new houses. Bear R to Cumhuriyet Caddesi.
SECTION 10 Wwaymarked spring 2009.
Change of route as follows:
Bezirgan to Sarıbelen
At the crossroads E of the mosque at Bezirgan, turn R/SE and walk down the road for 300m to a L turn turn onto a G4 walled track which passes between some delightful village houses. It b4comes a G2 path and after another 300m turns L/E up a steep slope heading towards a pumping station. Skirt the Bezirgan - Sarıbelen road and veer off on a G2 track After 500m turn sharply L down the steep slope and again skirt the road on a bend. Continue steeply down to meet the lower road.
Turn R/W along the road and after 300m turn L/SE on G1 path across farmland to cross a stream. 300m later zigzag up towards buildings on a skyline. Pass a fenced garden on the L to the asphalt road and turn L towards Sarıbelen. ..keep L/down at the junction.
SECTION 11 Waymarked spring 2009
SECTION 12 Waymarked spring 2009
P 73, para 3, line 7. The platform under the tree has fallen down, so don’t plan to sleep on it.
P 73, para 5, line 6. The shorter route leading along the ridge to Phellos, mentioned in the text, has now been waymarked; you should use this not the track.
SECTION 13 Waymarked spring 2009
P 75 para 5, line 8. ‘tarmac to pass’ should read ‘cottages to pass’.
SECTION 14 Waymarked spring 2009.
SECTION 15 Waymarked spring 2009
SECTION 16 Waymarked spring 2009.
P 86, para 2, line 4. Spring/stream at Cakil Plaj reported dry.
P86, para 3, line 5. The bridge across the river at Sura is now repaired.
P 87, para 1. Crossing place to corner above Sura: Our route turns left at the bridge and climb the Grade 2 hairpin track across open hillside, then into trees and through a shallow valley. It reaches a valley head with a huge carob tree. Climb a low wall under the tree and continue straight upwards across open fields to reach a G5 tractor track leading diagonally L/upwards to the main asphalt road. Turn right onto the road and walk 1.5km to the valley head. (Bridge to bend at valley head 1 hr 10 mins.)
P 88, para 2-5. Corner above Sura to Myra: Where the cliffs break on the R bend, there is an old road running up in hairpins. Climb up the R of the stream bed onto the road. After a few minutes cross L and continue up the valley. Recross the stream bed (includes some boulder hopping) and walk up the G4 hairpins which were the original road. In places the road has collapsed and the new route climbs steeply on G1 goat path to cut-off the fallen sections. Crossing an area of mud-slip on this section could be tricky in wet weather. The route here is well-shaded in most places by overhanging trees. After a prominent rock wall the route, now G3, re-crosses to the L of the stream. It returns to the R and climbs on hairpins up the R valley side, emerging onto a level hilltop. (Bend to hilltop 1 hr 20 mins)
Just past the hilltop is the old road, now a clear G4 track, rising gently, widening and passing beneath shade trees. The new main road is visible high up, crossing the head of the valley; it has destroyed this old road. Past the trees, turn R/up on G2 path which rises in zigzags to the top of the R ridge and crosses a field to the SW corner of the school at Gurses. There is a well with a bucket near the school gate, and the new road runs in front to the school. (hilltop to Gurses school – 1 hr 10 mins.)
Turn R onto the main road and walk down it for about 1km. Turn L onto a loop of the old road then L again towards greenhouses. Walk on G5 track betweenthe greenhouses, turn R then L the R onto G2 track which vaguely follows the overhead pylon wires downhill to another G5 track Turn R and walk almost back to the road. At a well, turn L onto a wide G5 tractor track which descends to a grassy area with tall trees and ruins. Turn L/downhill and at follow waymarks down a stony steam bed. Keep R of the stream on G2 path which continues to meet the old road on a bend; the new road is only 50m R. Bear L and walk 100m down the road to a junction to a junction by houses. Turn L onto a G6 track which descends through houses ENE across open land towards forest. Keep R on G3 path and start to descend more steeply following a gully on the L…. to the N side of the acropolis hill.
SECTION 18 Waymarked spring 2009.
Disruption to the P 93, para 3, line 6. Last line of para should read On the bend, turn R down a G3 path which leads diagonally to the valley floor and then the church.
P 93- 94 Alakilise to Belos: Set off NE/up the valley on the broad G2 path which runs from the ruins and rises continuously as it passes two or three tents and crosses the remains of terraced walls. The stream bed is on the right. The path soon reaches and crosses the new bulldozed track, by a raised area with a well on the L. At a strange cistern cut out of bedrock, with what looks like the remains of a rock room above it, the path bears slightly L and starts to climb seriously towards the prominent spur of Papaz Kaya. There are many goat paths, so work your way slowly up the scrubby hillside in zigzags, keeping the scree below the centre of Papaz Kaya on your R. After about an hour of climbing, the hillside steepens, and you see the remains of a terrace wall. Soon after, there is a rise to the L followed by a longer traverse to the forest on the R side. The path enters pines, then turns L/up to a huge rock close to the main rock face. Pass behind this rock (you can climb on top of it to admire the view of the coast spread out before you). A short rise to a second boulder about 80m below the rock face takes you to the start of the forest path proper..……
P 94, para 2. Many of the trees were damaged in a storm in 2005.
P 94, para 4, P95, para 1. Turn R/S at the junction onto a G2 path. It soon joins a tractor track which passes a well. It rises as G1 L along the well catchment and turns R to rejoin the ridge top in forest. It still rises slightly and disappears as it leaves the forest on a hilltop; turn L to see a bowl-shaped hollow ahead. On the R you can see the road and a scattering of yayla dwellings. Continue L over the next hilltop, then swing R to cross the wire. Descend a rough dry valley on G1 path with wire and then the stream bed on your L to meet a G4 tractor track; follow this for 100m. Climb over a fence to the road just N of the junction. Incegeris to forest road 1 hr 30 mins.
Turn L/S onto the forest road and walk to a junction. Keep R/S, walk past yayla houses for about 1km until the route branches off L just before a new terrace. Bear R/SW/downhill to pick up the old G3 path as it runs through cedars on a steep hillside to a viewpoint overlooking the lagoon at Beymelek and the hills around Myra. It swings sharp L/down to circle the heads of two terraced scrubby valleys. After the second valley, it rises again into forest and turns S, with a low ridge on the L. A few hundred metres later, it crosses the ridge L and descends to a newly built well. It follows the dry valley down to meet a newly bulldozed logging track; the forestry are still active in this area. Turn R onto the forest road and about 300m on as it swings L keep R. Almost immediately you will see a fenced area; about 200 metres before the fence, turn R/W onto a G2 track through scrub climbing to a low pass on the R..……..
Belen to Finike The following replaces paras 3-4 on P 96. The G5 track at the end of the stony field area is now G6 road. To continue, turn R/SE. After a few minutes walk the road swings L, ignore the continuation to Belen village proper. For the next 2-3kms either continue on the new G6 road or follow a combination of this new road and marked G2 footpaths which divert into the forest and were the original route. Both the new road and old route converge on an open ridge.
From the ridge turn R/SE on a G6 road passing the cistern, goat herds' hut and ruins of several tombs, after 150 metres turn R/S descending over the road construction debris to join a G2 path that leads SE below the ridge . After 500 metres the undercut cliff face appears on your L and a side trip to these cliffs reveals years of use as a refuge by goats and their herders. Similar cliffs can be seen on the other side of the valley. The path continues with the dry river valley below R and descends into the valley on hairpin bends. Climb down into the river bed and turn L/SE, descending natural steps formed of water-eroded horizontal strata – the trees close over your head and you could while away an afternoon in this sheltered environment. After about 300 metres in this spectacular valley, turn L/E onto a G2 mulepath which climbs out of the valley on a series of bends . Continue almost level, with the river bed below/R, to meet a G3 path rising from the far side of the valley, where it originates at a goat herder’s summer camp. The G3 trail, maintained by shepherds and now known as the ‘School Trail', enables the yayla children to walk to school.
Turn L/NE onto this fine G3 path with views of Gok Liman to the SE and contour L into a side valley onto a ridge and into another side valley, where it becomes a G4 walled drovers road. Ancient walls, field boundaries and terraced slopes indicate years of use. The path meets the modern G5 tractor road; just L is a doorframe and walls of an ancient building. You could turn R to Gok Liman (15 mins) for a swim. The trail continues L towards Finike, with Lycian Tombs lying R of the track, and after 100 metres, the outlying houses of Finike appear. Turn R onto surfaced road and descend to the town centre. # ridge to Finike 2 hr 30mins.
SECTION 19
No reported change
SECTION 20 Waymarked spring 2009.
P98, Para 2. The first diversion is about 50m past a seat and spring on the R of the road; it's badly marked at first. The second starts at a turning R/downhill from the road towards a wooden house,; continue L of the house towards Korsan Koyu, the small beach close to Melanippe.
P99, para 1. The lighthouse now has a solar panel and a wind-powered generator, so the light runs automatically and the keeper may not turn up. P 100, para 1. It’s possible to swim from the middle section of the lighthouse walk. Just after you cross a gully with seasonal trickle of water and before the lowest point of the walk is an open, stony area with remains of cottages and carob trees. On the lower part of the stony slope is a way-marked large rock. Turn R/E here and follow cairns towards the sea with the gully on the R. Cross the gully via a G2 path and follow the cairned path up into forest, and down to the sea, crossing a couple of open areas. You can swim off rocks at the end of this path.
SECTION 21 Waymarked spring 2009.
Some people report both rivers were so full after recent rain they had to make a long detour. Winter or early spring only.
P103 Musa Dagi to Olympos Para 2: The general direction is NW; it starts by running down to the stream bed, runs with the stream on the L; switches banks three times. Most of the route is with the stream on the R, but as the stream becomes larger, it crosses again to descend straight to Olympos with a gorge on the L. Near the bottom…
SECTION 22a Waymarked spring 2009.
Alternative routes into, and out of, the ancient site of Phaselis.
P108. Route from Tekirova to Ovacık….From the centre of Tekirova follow the road inland past the jandarma to a new bridge over the river. Immediately after the bridge climb steps to a dirt and tarmac road. At the end turn R and then L onto a G4 track which passes the grounds of several houses and then runs between hedges. Follow it for over 1km to a junction with another track and turn R through a gate. 300m ahead, just before a pylon, branch L on G2 path and pass some shacks. Go straight over a junction and cross a stream. 150m later as the path bears R, keep straight on G1 path to a low pass. On the far side bear R and follow the path to a narrow bridge leading to the Sundance stables and camp, a laid back place…
P 109. You can enter Phaselis via the beach from Sundance Nature Village – just walk south along the beach and either skirt around the foot of the headland on rocks (may be slippery after rough seas) or head inland a short way and find a clear footpath through pines and over the headland. The site is fenced at the far side of the headland, but it is easy to bypass on the seaward side. Since this detour is illegal (you are supposed to pay the admission fee), it’s not in the book.
P112. Route from Phaselis to Ovacik (water tank) via Kuzdere. 1st Para Exit Phaselis by following a coastal track N, then over a headland and through a gap in a fence down to a small beach. Walk to the N end of the beach then inland following a bulldozed track to a road. Cross the road and walk uphill to the end of the crash barrier, where another dirt track starts. Keep up this, bear L over a riverbed, then R. Pass through a gate and continue uphill. Keep L at a junction then R at the next to pass through another gate.
P113 ...to turning 35 mins. Pass a wooden hut and walk around the orchard to cross the stream bed to the irrigation channel on the far side. Take an indistinct L turn on narrow path through the orchard, past a hut and under another channel. A clear G2 path runs through woodland to a G5 dirt road. Turn R and walk down the road to emerge on the Kuzdere village road between two sections of irrigation channel. Turn L onto the road……..
P114 Kuzdere to Ovacık
… steeply towards another bend. Before the bend is a new major landslide which necessitates crossing the river. The scramble down to the stream bed is over loose rock, but after that the route is easy. Junction to bend 55 minutes.…
SECTION 22b Waymarked spring 2009.
P 115-116. We have completely re-marked and changed the course of route from the main road at Ulupinar to Yayla Kuzdere. Signpost is now corrected:
This description replaces that starting on P 115, para 1. From the sign above the Havuzbasi Restaurant (which is the best), follow asphalt L to the Park Restaurant; just after the restaurant turn L/up and then R along the lower edge of fields. Turn L and follow a track up to the main road. Cross diagonally L; the route starts alongside a wire fence – follow it up to the village road (5 mins). Turn R and walk about 2k along the village road; turn L onto a rising forest track; keep R at a junction. Continue to the stream and huge plane trees above the village (1 hr 30 mins), where the track is blocked by a gate. Pass through the gate and cross terraces upwards to another small gate in the far fence. Through the gate, walk up a narrow overgrown valley to forest road (15 mins). Turn L on forest road, and follow up bends, through gate, round a sharp R bend at valley head to a pass (1 hr). 200m after the pass, turn L/up onto partly-blocked G3 path. Continue over a stream on G3 path bending R to a solitary pine at the top of a rise (15 mins). Just before the pine, turn L onto G1 path going up a ridge, over 2-3 terraces towards woodland (10 mins). At the edge of woodland, turn R onto a clear G2-3 path running almost level with rocks on the L and a slope down on the R; continue 25 mins, passing above 2 new houses to a pipe junction in a concrete box. Turn half up/L over farmland on indistinct G1 path, levelling off to reach the end of an old road (5 mins). Walk up the G4 old road to meet the asphalt opposite a spring building, and turn L; walk about 800m to Upper Beycik village (15 mins).
P 116 Route from Beycik to Ovacik via Tahtali Saddle. Para 1 ..five hundred metres to a fork and signpost. Turn L onto G5 track then L again. Cross a junction to another G5 track running horizontally. Turn R towards a clear-cut area and cross a stile next to a gate (25 mins). Continue 200m then turn L up a shallow gully. Approaching the trees again, climb the L bank and find a stile in the wire fence. Cross this and resume the old track. It runs through mature woodland, crosses the gully and rises with a deeper gully on the R. Soon you turn R at a rocky outcrop…
P118 para 2…continue on this undulating G5 track. Forestry work is in progress here and the waymarking is probably damaged. Keep on the horizontal track as far as possible to the junction with a tree.
P118 Gedelme to Ovacik Para 1. ..a drop on the L; emerge onto the first bend in a newly-bulldozed track built to install a new pylon. Walk up the track to the tarmac road. Turn R and walk 80m up the road.
Para 2. Walk N through the felled area to a faint track; turn R and cross a wire fence. Walk to a bulldozed track and follow it L past a notice advertising the Caner Restaurant to a wire fence. Cross this to a G6 track; turn R and follow it to a junction. There is a new house on the R of the hilltop and the waymarking takes you R of the house. Follow a faint G1 path downwards…..
SECTION 23 No reported change
SECTION 24 There’s a bridge over the side-stream before the route turns into the side-gorge.
SECTION 25
No reported change
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