About this stage
A short stage, and a good one to pair with the walk in from Boğazcık. From the ruins of Aperlae the trail follows the shore of the inlet and crosses the low neck of the peninsula to the picturesque fishing village of Üçağız, gateway to the sunken city of Kekova and the castle village of Simena (Kaleköy) — about 10 km and half a day, which leaves the afternoon for the boat. A trip from Üçağız reveals ancient walls and staircases beneath the crystal-clear water, and Simena's tiny Lycian theatre inside the medieval castle is unforgettable.
Stage highlights
- Kekova sunken city boat trip
- Simena castle and miniature theatre
- Üçağız fishing village
- Underwater ruins visible from boat
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 sea level and roughly 81 m — 187 m of ascent and 236 m of descent over 10.5 km, about 3 hours of walking.
A moderate half-day on rough coastal rock. Most walkers combine it with the previous stage from Boğazcık, or walk it as an out-and-back day trip from a base in Üçağız.
Getting there
Aperlae has no road: you arrive on foot along stage 11 or from Üçağız, or by a boat arranged in Üçağız or Kaş. Üçağız, at the end, lies down a signed side road off the Kaş–Demre highway, about 33 km (about 50 min) by road from Kaş, and a dolmuş runs there from Kaş via Demre.
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 12 of 26, part of the Central Coast & Kekova section — the central section linking the harbour towns of Kalkan, Kaş and Üçağız with the sunken city of Kekova. It connects stage 11 (Limanağzı to Aperlae) to stage 13 (Üçağız to Myra (Demre)), 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.