About this stage
A challenging mountain traverse from Adrasan over the Musa Dağı pass to the ancient city of Olympos, nestled in a dramatic river gorge leading to the sea. Olympos is famous for its treehouse accommodation and laid-back atmosphere. The Hellenistic and Roman ruins scattered along the riverbank and beach make for atmospheric exploring.
Stage highlights
- Olympos ancient ruins in river gorge
- Treehouse accommodation
- Musa Dağı mountain crossing
- Olympos beach
What to expect on the trail
The path follows the Mediterranean coastline with sea views, hidden coves and rocky headlands. Expect uneven limestone underfoot and a few short scrambles.
You'll move between roughly 2 m and 722 m above sea level on this stage — 756 m total ascent and 751 m descent over 13.7 km.
A challenging stage with sustained climbs and technical terrain. Allow extra time, start at first light, and carry more water than you think you'll need.
Getting there
Adrasan is about 28 km (about 40 min) by road from the bus station in Kumluca and about 93 km (about 1 h 45 min) from Antalya; arrange a taxi or a transfer through your pension. Olympos, at the end, is about 83 km (about 1 h 40 min) by road from Antalya: buses on the Antalya–Kumluca road stop at the Olympos junction, and local dolmuş run down the steep lane to the valley.
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 17 of 26, part of the Demre & Olympos section — the eastern coast around Demre, Finike, Adrasan and the ancient site of Olympos. It connects stage 16 (Karaöz to Adrasan) to stage 18 (Olympos to Çıralı), 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.