About this stage
A long and rewarding climb from the beach village of Cirali through pine forests and over the coastal mountains to the resort town of Tekirova. Views of Tahtali mountain and the Mediterranean coast throughout.
Stage highlights
- Coastal pine forest walking
- Tahtalı mountain views
- Mediterranean panoramas
- Tekirova resort town
What to expect on the trail
This is a mountain stage with significant ascents and rocky paths. Sturdy boots and trekking poles are strongly recommended, and the descents can be hard on knees.
Shade is limited in summer. The pine forests offer some relief, but the long climb over the coastal mountains requires a sun hat, sunscreen and extra water.
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
Çıralı is about 79 km (about 1 h 30 min) by road from Antalya; the dolmuş from Antalya's bus station drops you at the turn-off on the highway, about 7 km above the village. Tekirova, at the end, is a resort just off the coast road, about 17 km (about 20 min) by road from Kemer and about 60 km (about 1 h 5 min) from Antalya; buses and dolmuş on the Antalya–Kumluca corridor stop at the Phaselis junction, where the next stage ends.
Where this stage fits in the trail
This is stage 20 of 26, part of the Olympos to Antalya Mountains section — the rugged final section over the Beydağları mountains, past Tahtalı's summit and down to Antalya. It connects stage 18 (Olympos to Çıralı) to stage 21 (Tekirova to Phaselis), 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.