"Turkey's Second Long Distance Walking Route" Antalya by FAIRYCHIMNEY

This trekking route starts fromo site of Perge ( actually this can be optional if your into archeology), a large and well excavated Greek/Roman city which was once the port of the area , and from where St Paul started his mission. Explore site. Drive (1 hr) to lunch stop for picnic overlooking the Aksu river; walk to a village house in Akcapinar on a hill overlooking the Pinargozu river. (3 hrs walking plus exploring the site) Second day walking up the Pinargozu river through woodland to the first of two spectacular waterfalls. Walk on to second waterfall, swim in woodland pool and picnic . Then on forest tracks and old Roman road to the Pisidian/Roman site of Pednelissos, perched on the slopes of a huge rocky outcrop. Explore the extensive, unexcavated site, which has superb views and original fortifications. Descend to road and village; camp behind the old village school. (6-7 hrs walking plus exploring site)
Walk on forest tracks through the tiny villages of Belen and Bozdogan. Meet vehicle for short transfer and continue across a range of hills with spectacular views of Bozburun mountain. Meet vehicle again for lunch at village of Karatas; continue on forest paths to Oren village, then a stiff climb up to the summer pastures with nomad tents; walk on a forest road to our ‘wild’ campsite on a bluff overlooking the lake of Karacaoren. ( approx . 7-8 hrs walking)

background

Short walk on forest road, then descend on tracks overlooking the lake beneath cedars and plane trees first down a mountainside then along a stream to Yildiz village. Meet minibus for lunch and 40 min transfer along lakeshore to Candir canyon. Afternoon walk exploring the canyon and swimming in river. Dinner and overnight at trout restaurant alongside river. (3.5 hrs walking plus optional exploring the canyon)
The Roman road through the canyon has been eroded away, so we take a modern footpath (the ‘Okuz Yolu’ or Cattle track) from near the fish farm on a stiff climb over a ridge (some minor scrambling) with views over the canyon, to the village of Curuk. Picnic at village spring, and walk along forest road to meet the minibus. Short transfer to the river valley (.3 hr). Cross the dam over the river and walk up hill through pines to the ruins at Taskapi (Stone gate), on the Roman road, and on to our pension at Sutculer, the only larg(ish) market town in the area. Explore town, dinner and night in small pension at edge of town. (Bunk beds in shared rooms) (6 hrs walking)
Walk on old road to village of Muezzinler, a pretty village in woodland perched on the canyon edge. Walk on forest road down into the Yazili canyon. Picnic by the river near remains of Selcuk bridge over the river; opportunity to swim or paddle in the pools. Climb up the old cobbled mule trail through forest with canyon views on a steep climb back to Muezzinler. Meet our minibus and a short transfer back to pension (15 mins). Dinner and overnight in pension. (6 hrs walking)
Easy walking over Roman roads and tracks to the start of the spectacular stone causeway leading up the hill to the site of Adada. This 1.5km stretch of huge slabs is the original road that St Paul walked and leads to a little-known site tucked on a tiny plain beneath an acropolis hill. Meet vehicle, explore the fascinating site, which has three temples and is know for its butterflies and birds, and camp near the ruins.
Walk downhill through woods seasonally filled with orchids to the edge of the river as it enters a small rocky canyon. Walk/scramble over sloping slabs alongside the beautiful stream, with opportunities to swim and paddle. The canyon emerges onto a huge plain at the village of Sipahiler, where we have tea in the teahouse. Transfer (1 hr) to Yukari Gokdere, which was awarded ‘prettiest village’ title in 1999. Dinner and overnight in village house. (3 hrs; the canyon (3-4 hrs) is optional, but involves some scrambling)Short transfer uphill (30 mins) to the unique oak and cedar forest of Kasnak (the huge Volcanic Oak only grows here). In May, in the upper forest are carpets of huge crimson wild paeonies. Follow the forest tracks past displays of irises and climb steeply up to the ridge at 2100m, with views back to the lake at Kovada. Walk through summer shepherd encampments, and descend through cedar forest to the ski lodge at the foot of Mt Davras. Dinner and overnight in the comfortable ski lodge (en suite bedrooms, open fireplace, bar)

candarli view

too long to type : so i put the info which our guided handed me:
Early start for optional ascent of Davras mountain (2,635m) from ski lodge. Stiff climb partly over scree to the summit ridge, with colonies of marmots and views down to Lake Egirdir. The summit has snow until end May; beautiful snow-melt fritillaries, scilla and other flowers; golden eagle and lammergeier inhabit the upper slopes. Descend via a different route and return to ski lodge. ( 9 hrs walk/climb)
Walk partly through juniper forest from the ski lodge via a commando training area to Sivri Dag, the mountain above Lake Egirdir. Optional ascent of the rocky peak, for virws of the lake. Descend on paths towards Lake Egirdir, meeting our vehicle above the town. Short transfer (15 mins) to our pension on Green Island, connected by a causeway to the town. Dinner and night at pension. (5-6hrs walk plus optional ascent 1-2 hrs)
Free day in Egirdir, with optional visit to Barla village; a mountainside village with two interesting mosques, ruins of a church and traditional wooden houses; roseoil is made from petals collected from the rose gardens here. Afternoon/evening boat trip on lake and lake-fish barbecue on a beach. Night at same pension.
Transfer to Antalya (3 hrs); we had lunchstop en route. Afternoon optional visit to Antalya museum (or shopping). this is the end !

• Pros:combination of nature and history
• Cons:quit smoking before go for it ! steep indeed !
• In a nutshell:far away from city sights ,traffic !!