This is not a dream. This is reality!

The most striking moments of a hike along the Lycian Way in Turkey (May 2011).

The Lycian Way is a very rich and varied route. There was everything: mountains, waterfalls, forest, snow, wind, sea, and sun. The route is not the easiest, we walked from 10 to 18 km a day, but it’s worth it!

And you know, you can write a lot, but still there won’t be enough words to convey all the beauty, the emotions that we experienced during these 11 days.

We thought about it and decided to offer you a slide show.

I will describe only the most striking moments.

We went on a previous trip (through Crimea) with the whole family: me, my husband and son, but we didn’t dare take our 10-year-old son on this adventure. The variety of local fauna (scolopendras, scorpions, snakes) was a little scary. It was decided to grow him up a little and next time, for sure!

So, we planned our adventure along the “Lycian Way” back in the fall 2010 and were looking forward to the coming of 2011, SPRING, APRIL!

And so, assembly at the airport, flight at an altitude of 10,000 m above sea level. Arrival in Antalya. Palm trees, warmth, beauty. Very friendly, clean, bright country. Our first overnight stay, for which my husband and I had to clear the parking area from stones. The first torrential Turkish rain. Meeting by the fire.

On the 2nd day we saw local representatives of poisonous fauna - scorpions. They are different here in color - from light brown to black, and in size - from a little larger than a little finger and... well, I won’t scare you. In general, we all got along quite well. And how many turtles are there in Turkey?

On the second day of the hike, our group met a young American couple who, at the time of our meeting, had already been traveling for 23 days! First “crazy people?!” flashed through my head, and then “happy people!” I think that many, given the time and opportunity, would not refuse adventures in the beautiful places of our vast planet.

On the 3rd day we came to a very beautiful place - Harmony Canyon. I really wanted to see a block of stone stuck among the rocks, but getting there is not so easy. Special equipment was needed - a wetsuit and a helmet, since the water in the canyon is very cold, and the stones and rocks are slippery, and to see the stone, you need to swim deep into the canyon. We came, but there was no way to rent equipment. Local residents have not yet discovered this “attraction”. But as they say: “our man, if he thinks of anything...!” The German tourists who arrived later were at a loss. How?! Cold?! No wetsuits, no helmets?! They did not dare to repeat our madness at a water temperature of about 8 degrees!

... of course, it is impossible to forget the saddle in front of the Takhtali peak. We arrived at the parking lot, it was very cold, there was a strong wind, there was frost on the ground at night. And beauty!!! There are ancient Lebanese cedars and bizarre rocks all around. It seems that this cannot be, that this is not reality, but a fantastic dream!

On the 6th day we got up very early at 4-00 am. Our peak today is 2365 m!!! From the top of the Turkish Olympus you can see the entire coast from Antalya to Finike, you can see the mighty Bey-Dag mountain range, in general everything is visible if you catch it before the clouds. At 10-00 we are at the top!!! HOORAY! There are mountains all around, clouds underfoot. Emotions are overflowing. This is worth walking, crawling, climbing for and the result will exceed all expectations!!!

Of course, our parking in the orange-lemon-gray fruit grove will remain in our memory. Where else but in Turkey can you put up a tent, and there will be vitamins all around you!

For the last three days we have been walking slowly along the shore of the azure Mediterranean Sea. Spending the night in one bay, then in another. We swam and sunbathed. What could be better: wild beaches, sun, sea and not a soul of people!!! And from the shore you can see such a close and so inaccessible peak that we conquered!!!

I’m writing a report, and memories come flooding back... Already all the difficulties have been forgotten, how hard it was. There is only one thing in my memory, in my soul, and in my heart - I WANT MORE!

I want to leave the dusty, hot, crowded city. From this fuss. I want to sit near the fire, among magical nature, breathe clean air, look forward to what tomorrow will give you, what unforgettably beautiful places you will see?!

Everyone decides for themselves how to spend their holiday. Personally, I decided for myself a long time ago that HIKE is mine! The only things better than mountains are mountains! So I tell them "See you soon!!!"

P.S. Many thanks to the organizer and guide Kirill, as well as the guide and biologist Alexander for the hike. Kirill and Sanya, good luck to you on your hikes.

Hello and thanks to all the participants of our first in 2011. and the third “Lycian Way” hike in the entire history. Guys HELLO ALL!!!