Hugging the turquoise Mediterranean sea, a walk dubbed one of the best in the world offers walkers a glimpse into ancient life.
Snaking across the rugged Tekke Peninsula, the 472mile route is based in a region historically known as Lycia, and even though the official path has been trodden for more than 25 years since its opening in 1999, parts of it were used by the ancient Lycians thousands of years ago. The modern route from Fethiye to Antalya in Turkey was developed by British explorer Kate Clow, and now walkers pass around 25 ancient sites on the memorable Lycian Way, including the ghost town, Kayaköy.
The abandoned hillside village has stood completely empty for around 100 years, with about 500 preserved houses and three churches still visible in the open-air museum.
This is because a treaty at the end of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) led to a mass population exchange, in which Greeks were forced to abandon their homes and leave for Greece.
Kayaköy stretches along the hillside not far from the ruins of Lycian city Karmylassos, and the trail also takes walkers near several important Lycian cities like Olympos, Patara, and Myra.
The ancient civilization dates back to the 15th-14th centuries BC, and its legacy can also be seen in tombs carved high up into the cliff faces, a sight so impressive you will wonder how they were ever created.
Roman sites can also be seen along the way, as well as Byzantine monasteries from the spread of Christianity in the 4th century.
Officially waymarked for around 760 km, the route can take up to 35 days to complete in full, according to the Culture Routes Society, which protects the historic trail.
Red and white waymarkers make navigation straightforward, though a map can be handy, and camping gear is essential for certain sections.
Most people choose to tackle smaller sections at a time, and the shoulder seasons of March–June and September–November are the best for avoiding extreme heat.