About this stage
A demanding mountain stage from the cliff-top hamlet of Alınca over the Bel pass. The trail climbs and falls through pine forest to Gey (Yediburunlar), a farming village high above the Seven Capes, before crossing high ground to the mountain village of Bel. The scattered Lycian ruins of ancient Sidyma, rock-cut sarcophagi among the houses of Dodurga village, lie about 3 km off this line: the Hisar variant (4a) passes them. Water and supplies are scarce; carry at least 3 litres.
Stage highlights
- Gey (Yediburunlar) and Bel, cliff-top farming villages
- Cape-after-cape views over the Seven Capes
- Remote pine forest walking
What to expect on the trail
This is a mountain stage with sustained climbs, a high pass and rocky paths. Sturdy boots and trekking poles are strongly recommended, and the descents can be hard on the knees.
The route runs largely under tree cover, giving welcome shade through most of the walk — comfortable even in late spring or early autumn.
You'll move between roughly 431 m and 738 m above sea level on this stage — 614 m total ascent and 686 m descent over 13.9 km.
A challenging stage with a real pass to cross. Allow extra time, start at first light, and carry more water than you think you'll need.
Getting there
Alınca is a small mountain village about 38 km (about 1 h 20 min) by road from Fethiye; most walkers arrive on foot from Faralya, and your pension can arrange a transfer taxi. Bel, at the end, is a small village with very limited public transport, about 67 km (about 1 h 25 min) by road from Fethiye; most walkers carry on along the trail or take a private taxi from Fethiye.
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 4 of 26, part of the Western Lycian Coast section running from Fethiye through Ölüdeniz, Faralya and the Patara dunes towards Kalkan. It connects stage 3 (Faralya to Alınca) to stage 5 (Bel to Gavurağılı), 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. Summer (June-August) is generally too hot for comfortable walking 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.