Then it was coast path walking, steep ups and downs from one bay to the next. Lovely path with stunning views over the sea. The last stretch before getting back to our hotel.

Our breakfast this morning. We arrived in Cirali after a long day of travelling. My friend Elfride from Switzerland, myself from Berlin. We met at Antalya airport, where a driver waited to take us to our first destination Cirali. It was dark when we arrived at Plaj Hotel, where we would be staying three nights. Today was our first day of walking the Lycian Way, after a lovely breakfast from our very friendly hosts.

The flames withstand even the heaviest of rains. Arrived at the entrance we paid our entrance Fee and sought rifuge from the downpour in a tent wit a very friendly dog and a tomcat. It was another hour's walk in the rain to our - very simple - hotel. There we dried our soaked gear at a wood burner in the dining room.

Fiona Bartholomew
Zeppelinstr. 98
13583 Berlin

0176 87792439 fiona.bartholomew@gmail.com

We were dropped close to Ulupar, where we started our walk. In the pouring rain. We are probably the only ones daft enough to walk the Lycian Way - or better parts of it - at this time of the year. We walked past orange plantations nestled between rocky hills and pretty forests. Down to a small stream we crossed over stones.

Before dinner - which was delicious (soup, avocado, Turkish radish, salad, runner beans in sauce with bulgur and bread) we strolled down to beach for a short walk. 

Sunrise this morning across the street towards the beach. The weather a total contrast to yesterday. After breakfast we were taken to our starting point. Down to a small stream, upwards crawling under and climbing over loads of dead trees and passing many men with rifles watching sheep. One typed something into Google translate: many dangerous wolves. Onwards, upwards and then a stunning view.

Our last day of walking ended at a very pretty and somewhat alternative bar where we had our final poncha. Tomorrow we will all part ways and travel to our individual destinations. Saying goodbye to beautiful walks on a fascinating island.

The tunnel is 800m long, high enough, wide enough but still a little scary for people like me. All went well and the fern-overgrown walls at the exit are very pretty.

We followed the levada through some interesting rock formations towards a tunnel.

And another waterfall and pool, the best-known for the fact that there are 25 sources emerging from the rock. Hence the name 25 fontes. Again many people around. It was the third detour, some steps to climb and descend and a sort of one-way system to follow because the paths along the levada are narrow.

The picture looks crooked but isn't, it's the trees that are growing sideways.

Another - very pretty - waterfall and pool. And again quite a lot of people.

And so we came to the first pool and waterfall. Again, it was a rather touristy tour with quite a lot of people about.

Today it was levada walking again and waterfall spotting. A mostly relaxed walk, flat along a lavada for quite a while and detours taking us to natural pools and waterfalls.

The tiny harbour of Porto Moniz with some very interesting plants.

We were picked up and taken to Porto Moniz, known for its natural swimming pools. It's the first time we're so close to the sea. We arrived quite early, it was a relaxed walk today compared with the past two walks.

More laurels, draped over the soft grassy hill. Eduardo says they survived the weather and hungry animals and that parts of the forest are more than 2000 years old.

Then we reached another plateau with an amazing view over more laurels, the sea and the village Porto Moniz, where we are staying tonight. The landscape was very varied today and so different to the past days.

In the early afternoon we reached the Laurisilva, a laurel forest and UNESCO Heritage Site. It was beautiful, magical somehow, evoking a Lord of the Rings feeling.

Our walk today started on a plateau and led us through heather bushes and tree heather for quite a long time, walking gently up and down with some fine views.