Tourist preferences are different. Some spend their holidays on a cruise on a luxurious liner that cuts through the waters of warm seas, while others cannot imagine a vacation without swimming on the beach and lying in the shade of palm trees. But there are also enthusiasts who, grabbing backpacks, are looking for barely visible paths that you can follow while exploring the surroundings.
As a rule, such routes pass through a wide variety of natural landscapes. It can be forests and fields, plains and mountains, amazingly beautiful fjords and river valleys. Travelers along such paths plunge into the life of the settlements that once existed in these areas, into their culture and history.
The concept of "tourism"
This form of human activity, which has a special specificity, although it has become fashionable relatively recently, is rooted in ancient times. Since ancient times, people have traveled to explore the world and discover new territories. All of them received certain services from local residents, both in terms of accommodation or food, and in terms of choosing routes to certain places.
History
In the era of antiquity, the main motives for travel were trade, pilgrimage or treatment. Sports trips were also created in ancient Greece, and the Roman aristocracy, actively involved in recreational travel, headed to their villas on the seashore or in the mountains.
In the east in the old days people moved to uncharted places with camel caravans. They spent the night in tents or inns that had pens for animals. Interestingly, the level of service for the then tourists in the east was much higher than in Europe. The reason was more active trade relations.
And when the factor of religiosity intensified in the Middle Ages, large masses of people began to strive for Christian or Muslim shrines. As a rule, these were pilgrims who undertook hiking trips. And only in the Renaissance, when religious motives were somewhat weakened, did the individual nature of trips intensify.
Hiking
You can travel by transport, on horseback, with the help of other animals. But there is a kind of sports tourism, the purpose of which is precisely to overcome the routes on foot as part of a group of the same enthusiasts in slightly rugged areas. In the world today there are a huge number of trails designed specifically for this type of tourism. Some of them are thousands of kilometers long. For example, the length of the Appalachian Trail, located in the United States, is three and a half thousand kilometers. There are more and more people who prefer hiking every year.more.
Most Popular Routes
For most, tourism in France is the pavements of Paris, the beaches of the Cote d'Azur or the vineyards of Provence, but there are people who are not interested in these places. They come to the Brittany peninsula to be able to walk along the thousand-kilometer coastal route called the Customs Trail.
Another, no less interesting route passes directly through the center of today's Europe. Here once there was a border not just between the GDR and the FRG, but between civilizations. And it was almost impossible to walk on it. But today this place has become a favorite for hikers.
Once upon a time in the deep Middle Ages, the main road connecting France and Italy was the hiking trail Via Francigena. Merchants walked along it, pilgrims were sure to cross it, heading to the holy city - Rome.
But there is one route that extreme lovers especially like. It passes through the territory of an ancient country located in the south of Asia Minor, where today the modern Turkish provinces of Mugla and Antalya are located. This is the country of Lycia, which existed in the first millennium before our era and was distinguished by a rich original culture: writing, language, architecture. It was alternately conquered by the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Romans and the Turks. This state for a long time retained autonomy as part of some ancient empires. And today it is on it that the famous route passes - the Lycian Way.
Turkey hike
Sunny coast of this country is not the only thing that attracts tourists. Many people are attracted by mountains and ancient ruins, fortresses, canyons or bays. It's so interesting to see all this with your own eyes, walking kilometer after kilometer with a backpack on your back.
Romantics or adventurers have long appreciated all the delights of hiking. They are attracted primarily by the Lycian trail. The trip will strengthen your he alth, allow you to pump up your muscles and, of course, give you the opportunity to see a lot of interesting things. Let's talk about this place in more detail.
Lycian Way
Hiking in Turkey does not mean at all that its participants must be experienced travelers or adventurers in order to appreciate all the amazing beauty that can be found on the most scenic routes.
This part of the Mediterranean brings many into a state of reverent admiration. After all, it was here that amazing myths and legends were created, here you can still find yourself almost in pristine nature. That is why those who want to change the concept of spending holidays prefer active holidays. They put heavy backpacks on their shoulders and, in the company of the same pedestrians, set off to overcome all the difficulties that the Lycian Way is famous for on their own. Apparently, this is precisely the special charm of this specific holiday for them.
Description
Today's Lycian Way, which became popular inrecent years, is a 509-kilometer route that runs along the southern coast of modern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya. The track was restored according to the historical records published in 1999 in her book by the famous English traveler Kate Clow. It was thanks to her that the Lycian Way was popularized. She certainly brought international fame to the Turkish state. Today there are a lot of people who want to make a hike in Turkey.
The Lycian Way, the description of the route of which is approved by the government of the country, passes through such ancient cities as Olympos and Phaselis. It ends in the city of Mira, where, due to its remoteness, many simply cannot reach on foot. The Sunday Times named the track one of the ten best hiking trails in the world. The Lycian trail, the description of which many tourists leave in their reviews, is completely marked with red and white marks. This is done in accordance with the Grande Randonnee - a pan-European agreement.
There are a lot of marks, so it is almost impossible to get lost in the mountains that Turkey is so rich in. The Lycian trail is the easiest to follow in the Fethiye area, while to the east the sections become more difficult. The path runs mainly along footpaths or multipaths, which are composed of limestone or hard rock.
Route
The Lycian Way begins in the tourist park called Goynuk Canyon. The eponymous amazingly beautiful is also located here.waterfall. It is quite difficult to reach it, because at some point the path from a large, wide path turns into a steep, narrow and mountain path, soaring upwards, as tourists describe, towards the sky.
The Lycian Way, taking its name from a very ancient civilization that once inhabited the area, is characterized by elevation changes that increase or decrease as it descends or leaves the sea.
Localities along the route
The path passes through the small resort villages of Oludeniz, Kabak, Xanf, then the trail leads along Akbel, Gelemysh, the ruins of Patara to Antiphellos, crosses Uchagyz, Kale, Mira, Kutludzha, Zeytin, Alakilis. In this section, the Lycian Way rises to a mark of 1811 meters above the sea. Then it slowly descends to Belos, Finike, Kumludzha, Mavykenidzh, Karayez, passes through Olympos and Cirali. After that, the path forks and goes either along the coast - along Tekirov, Phaselis, Asagikuzdere, or deepens into the mainland - through Ulupynar, Beydzhik, Kuzdera, Gedelma. But in both cases, the Lycian Way ends at Hisarchandir.
Seasonality
The most favorable times of the year for the route are spring and summer. Numerous tourists come here from February to May or from September to November. Summers are hot here, so many of those who still decide to go at least part of the route prefer shady, though not extended sections. The Lycian Way is difficult to pass in winter, because all over itsnow lies throughout.
Tourist information
In recent years, trekking has become popular on this route - a he alth tour. The Lycian Way in its western part has a large number of rocky areas that need to be overcome with easy climbing. The coast is also sometimes steep, however, there are rare, but such desirable sandy beaches. The relief of the slopes is similar to the southern coast of the Crimean Foros.
This route, which can take up to ten days to complete, combines many advantages. These areas attract with olive and fruit groves, relaxing by the sea, swimming in cozy coves, exploring the ruins of ancient cities that appear on the way. The Lycian Way is truly amazing!
Crossing mountains and plains filled with a Mediterranean subtropical aroma, listening to the singing of cicadas and the rustling of waves, feeling the silence of ancient cities, learning the secrets of the past and the reality of the present - all this is for those tourists who choose this route for hiking.
Recommendations
Personal equipment must include sunblock, water purification tablets or a filter. From products in local stores you can buy bread and pasta, cereals, sugar, dried fruits. In small villages you can buy tomatoes, goat cheese, fruits.
In addition, it must be borne in mind that until the beginning of April, the Lycian trail in the sections above1500 meters covered with snow. At this time, among other things, it often rains torrential rains. The last two summer months are considered very hot for trekking. Moreover, during religious holidays, including the holy Ramadan, restaurants, shops and some beaches may be closed during the day.
