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Highlights
Spend 8-days enjoying self-guided walking on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast
Embark on a life-changing self-guided pilgrimage along Turkey’s stunning Mediterranean Coast
Visit stone and timber villages and phenomenal historical sites as you explore Turkey’s Taurus Mountains.
Savour local delicacies as you visit and stay in tiny villages brimming with traditional charm.
Walk ancient Roman roads and experience fascinating history first-hand on the St. Paul Trail.
This self-guided trek starts on the shores of lake Eğirdir and follows the eastern branch of the Saint Paul Trail, the long-distance walk between Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvaç) deep in the Taurus mountains and Perge near the coast. The trek allows you to immerse yourself in the way of life of the inhabitants of the old stone and timber villages along the route; you will often stay in village houses, see the local handicrafts, watch cheese and yogurt making and enjoy the tasty village foods. The trip includes a visit to the major Roman city of Selge as well as many opportunities to look at bulbs and birds during the walks. Your trail follows beautiful sections of Roman roads and migration routes in use since Roman times (and perhaps even walked by st Paul himself!) in this spectacular area of forests, canyons, rivers and peaks.
This self-guided trek starts on the shores of lake Eğirdir and follows the eastern branch of the Saint Paul Trail, the long-distance walk between Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvaç) deep in the Taurus mountains and Perge near the coast. The trek allows you to immerse yourself in the way of life of the inhabitants of the old stone and timber villages along the route; you will often stay in village houses, see the local handicrafts, watch cheese and yogurt making and enjoy the tasty village foods. The trip includes a visit to the major Roman city of Selge as well as many opportunities to look at bulbs and birds during the walks. Your trail follows beautiful sections of Roman roads and migration routes in use since Roman times (and perhaps even walked by st Paul himself!) in this spectacular area of forests, canyons, rivers and peaks.
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St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day) Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Antalya – transfer to Eğirdir
After your flight arrival, you will be transferred to Eğirdir (2hrs). If time allows you’ll stop for a visit to ancient Sagalassos on the way. Dinner and overnight in a pension in Eğirdir.
Overnight Location: Pension in Eğirdir
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Sivri peak
After an uphill transfer to Akpınar village (20 mins), you walk to the Prostanna ruins and continue to the top of Sivri Hill (1800m). Here you enjoy amazing views across lake Eğirdir and the town as well as the surrounding mountains. You return along the same route and enjoy a break in Akpınar at a cafe with a lovely bird’s eye view across the lake. Transfer back to Eğirdir.
Overnight Location: Pension in Eğirdir
Distance: 8,5km, 4 hours, 515m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Sipahiler – Serpil
Transfer to Sipahiler (40mins) and walk on the St Paul trail to Serpil. Today’s walk goes over a pass in the forest then across spectacular limestone ridges and through indigenous oak forest, passing shepherds huts and grazing lands with the possibility to observe cattle and wild horses. The route descends to the small village of Serpil surrounded by orchards where you meet the transfer vehicle and drive back to Eğirdir (20 mins).
Overnight Location: Pension in Eğirdir
Distance: 14.5km, 5 hours, 400m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Saray Yolu Fountain – Adada – Sağrak
Transfer from Eğirdir to Saray Yolu Fountain (45mins). You walk through a rural landscape with tiny hamlets, wild horses and age-old trees to the ancient city of Adada where 3 major temples are still standing alongside the smallest ancient theatre in Anatolia. You walk down along a well-preserved section of ancient Roman road where St. Paul may have walked himself to Sağrak village where you meet with the car for a transfer to Kasımlar (35mins).
Dinner and overnight in a pension in Kasımlar.
Overnight Location: Pension in Kasımlar
Distance: 14km, 5 hours, 150m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Tota Pasture – Kasımlar
Transfer to the Tota pasture (20 mins). The walk takes you back to Kasımlar along a ridge top and the ruins of a Byzantine church and settlement. The descent is through the forest, which has an abundance of miniature wild tulips and other bulbs. From your high position, you can enjoy spectacular views.
Overnight Location: Pension in Kasımlar
Distance: 18km, 6 hours, 330m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Fındık – Kesme
Transfer from Kasımlar to start of the walk-in Fındık neighbourhood (10 mins). The spectacular route starts at a bridge across the river and will take you over the rim of the canyon on old paved paths, down through mysterious rock formations passing rural huts, ancient ruins while meeting many goats along the way. You meet with the car in Kesme and transfer to Çaltepe (1hr).
Overnight Location: Pension in Çaltepe
Distance: 14km, 6 hours, 710m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Kestanelik – Selge
You have 20 mins. transfer to the start of the walk. Today’s walk is not that long so a leisurely start is possible. You follow an age-old route, at times beautifully paved, through a dreamy landscape of dark forest and imaginative rock formations. Reaching Selge ancient city you will have time to explore the ruins of many houses, a huge theatre and public buildings spread over several hillsides of this once huge city.
Afternoon transfer to the pension on the banks of the Köprülü river (25 mins) for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Location: Pension near Köprülü river
Distance: 10.5km, 3 hours, 490m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Köprülü canyon & departure
You can enjoy an optional swimming or rafting excursion on the river (pay locally).
Depending on your flight you meet with the car for your transfer to Antalya (1hr 45mins).
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day) Price and Dates
This self-guided tour in the Turkish Mediterranean Coast is run as a private tour for your group only and the price per person is fixed unless you want to book different types of rooms.- Price per person sharing a double/twin room: from EUR895
Accommodation on St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day)
This tour is based in pensions. Pensions on this trip offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible (pricing is on request). Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day)?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes airport pick up and drop-off as well as luggage transfers. This tour doesn’t include any local or international flights and you will be hiking between your overnight locations yourself.
Also Included
- Detailed self-guided route notes in English
Not included
- Any domestic or international flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Entrance fees to museums and monuments
Optional Extras
- Single supplements
- Optional rafting excursion (to be paid locally)
- How hard is the St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day)?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Turkey?
- Are meals included on the St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day)?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Antalya to start this tour?
- Is the St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day) in English?
- Where does the St. Paul Trail Pilgrimage (8-day) end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Turkey?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Turkey?
- When is the best time to travel to Turkey for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. The trails are not technical, and the elevation is minimal, however, you should be ready to hike for up to 6 hours daily.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover (activity). Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Antalya Airport, from where you will be picked up.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends in Antalya, where you will be transferred to an airport for your flight.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Turkey for this hike is between April and October, however, August tends to get very hot.
Customer Ratings
Middle Earth Travel started business in 2001, owned by some very experienced and established guides, determined to make a living doing what they like best: trekking tours. Over the years we expanded our area of expertise to archaeological, cultural and family tours and have become a leader in biking tours as well, but we still focus on small, private groups and personal guided or self-guided travelling experiences. We are licenced by the Turkish Tourism Ministry and registered by the Union of Turkish Travel Agencies.
