Walking The Saint Paul Trail

Our journey begins in the superbly situated Mediterranean town of Antalya, nestling beneath the peaks of the Beydağlari Mountains. Originally founded by Attalos II, King of Pergamon, the town’s turbulent past saw it develop and prosper under Roman and Byzantine rule, going on to become a major staging post for the Crusader ships heading to the Holy Land, before being captured by the Selçuk Turks in the early 13^th century. Today it is a busy city but its old quarter remains an enchanting cluster of narrow streets, lined with classical reminders of its Ottoman past.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we head for Balkiri in the Taurus Mountains and the start of our first day’s walk. Starting from the shepherds’ pastures that lie above the town we follow a trail that takes us first to the village of Akpinar, from where we then continue on to our overnight stop on the shores of Lake Eğirdir. The lake is the second largest body of freshwater in Turkey and our four hour walk should get us in with plenty of time to spare to enjoy the views across this pleasant lakeside town.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After a short tour of Eğirdir this morning we drive the short distance by bus to the start of our second day’s hike. Meandering through a landscape of forested ridges, high pastures and orchards of cherry and apple trees, we spend the next six hours walking to the village of Yukari Gökdere. Meeting our bus here, we then drive on to Kasimlar, skirting the shores of Lake Kovada and possibly making a brief stop at the Roman ruins at Adada along the way.

Overnight Basic Village House Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

From Kasimlar we head next for Kesme, a six hour walk that takes us through a landscape of pine forests, dramatic rock outcrops and over a skyline pass. Accompanied by the soaring, jagged peak of Mount Tota, the walk takes us through a rural setting of lush pastureland, where goat herds and remote farms share the trail with some wonderful views down the length of the canyon.

Overnight Basic Village House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s walk takes us from Kesme and on to Degirmenozu, passing by ruins and rural villages as we make our way south along the old Roman road. After enjoying some lovely views of the dramatic Köprülü Canyon, we meet up with our bus again some five hours later, to drive the short distance on to Çaltepe and the end of our day’s journey. Staying in a local village house this evening, we enjoy some traditional regional fare before turning in for the night.

Overnight Basic Village House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following a series of old Roman and Ottoman drovers’ roads, our journey today takes us through dense forest and past isolated hamlets, on a six hour hike towards the southern slopes of Mount Taurus. Our destination is the village of Altinkaya, home to the remains of ancient Selge, a Roman city that lies perched amongst the limestone cliffs that overlook the dramatic landscapes of the Köprüçay Gorge.

Overnight Basic Village House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we take a hike up to the Roman ruins to visit the remains of Selge’s majestic 3rd century theatre, an immense theatre that in its day was capable of holding nearly 10,000 people. Returning to Altinkaya, we then drive on to the old bridge at Oluk, a superb example of Roman engineering that spans the course of the Köprüçay River. After a chance to enjoy lunch, and perhaps a paddle in the river, we then continue by road the rest of the way back to Antalya and journey’s end.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our tour ends today in Antalya.

Included meals: Breakfast