This 8 days walking tour on the St Paul’s Trail follows the Köprülü Canyon from south to north. Walks are on waymarked paths, with spectacular views over the huge canyon, through forest and villages and meadows. In places the route is on Roman road; it passes historical sites at Selge, Asartepe and Adada and natural formations at Delisarnıç. The route ends at the lovely 40 km long lake in Eğirdir.
Highlights
Spectacular views over huge Köprülü canyon
Ever changing scenery
Local food
Ancient Selge and Adada
Natural rock formations at Deliksarnıç
Local Yörük sheperds at their summer camps
Lake Eğirdir fringed by spectacular peaks of the Taurus mountains range to nearly 3000 metres.
Grade: moderate /hard
Distances: 14-20 km per day/ Total 100 km’s
Elevation: 150- 1800 m.
Comfort:
Small pensions, wooden bungalows, family run, Turkish home cooking.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer.
You will be met at Antalya airport and transferred to the pension in Karabük near the Köprülü river ( 1,5 hrs)
Overnight: Karabük, pension with comfortable rooms in wooden bungalows (Halboard and packed lunch)
Day2: (Karabük) Walk Karabük to Selge.
The walk starts from your hotel in Beşkonak on the tarmac road to the old ‘ Oluk’ Roman bridge over the river at the end of the Canyon. From the bridge it turns R/N up onto a rising path and parallel with the canyon to a steep bouldery track that climbs the canyon wall. It then continues between strange rock outcrops on a mixture of tracks to the Roman site of Selge, where you will stay at a guesthouse in the neighboring nomadic village.
Walk: 15,5 km/ 5-6 Hrs/ + 900/- 100 m
Overnight : Selge: Guesthouse in Selge. (HB& PL)
Day 3: (Karabük) Walk Selge to Çaltepe
From Selge follows a cross country trek on a mixture of footpaths , dirt roads and old Roman road, often in beautiful mature forest follows. This walk is the hardest but also the most beautiful. The roman road leads you to the village of Deliksarnıç ( meaning well- in– a hole) Here holes between the rock formations have been waterproofed to make almost bottomless wells. Then follow an old paved route , the Sarp yolu to Çaltepe village and pension.
Walk: 19 km/ 5-6 hrs/ + 300/ – 820
Alternative:
Shorter walk, – 6 km is possible. Extra transfer.
Overnight: Pension in Çaltepe ( HB & PL)
Day 4: Walk- Çaltepe to Değirmenözü
Todays route runs along the riverbank northeast to Değirmenözü. Most is level and easy walking but in a few places the route has to leave the river to climb over limestone hills. The first section is fairly rough and another has a steep descent down rough rock steps.
Walk: 18 km/ 6,5- 7,5 hrs/ + 400 m/ – 400 m
Overnight: Guesthouse in Değirmenözü.
Day 5: Walk Değirmenözü to Kesme ( Kasımlar)
You start following the route to a hill top over the canyon , then down to Cukurca village, with lovely stone houses. After lunch by a spring continue across a tiny gorge past Asartepe, a hill with Roman ruins and climb the Roman road /staircase to Kesme, a large farming village. Transfer from the mosque in Kesme village to Kasımlar for overnight.
Walk: 17 km/ 7-8 hrs/ + 947 m/ – 423 m
Alternative:
Possible to shorten the walk and avoid the steep climb from Çukurca to Kesme.( 11,5 km/ 5-6 hrs)
Overnight: Pension in Kasımlar village ( HB and PL)
Day 6: Walk Tota Yaylası to Kasımlar
After breakfast short transfer to Tota Yaylası, a small forest park on the north slopes of the Şarp Dağı, mountain. with several monumental trees. From Tota start following a wide track at the start and then more difficult and steeper through woodland, grassy meadows and finally over dirt roads to Kasımlar village. After arrival at the pension in Kasımlar transfer to Sağrak village for night at a guesthouse.
Walk: 17 km/ 6 hrs/+ 270m / – 830 m
Overnight: Guesthouse in Sağrak (HB & PL)
Day 7: Walk Adada-Sağrak ( Eğirdir)
Morning walk from Yeniköy to Adada and old Roman road to Sağrak.
Afternoon transfer to Eğirdir to wander around and explore castle, mosques and .green island.
Walk: 12 km/ ( 4 hrs ) + 95 m/ – 559 m
Overnight: Pension in Eğirdir on the Lake (HB)
Day 8 :. Onward travel.
included in the price:
7 nights breakfast and dinner.
6 x packed lunch
(luggage) transfers.
St Paul’s trail guide book, maps, footnotes.
Excluded in the price:
transfer from Eğirdir to Antalya airport or Antalya.
Private transfer to Antalya + € 150
Ticket for bus from Eğrdir to Antalya ca. € 10
What else:
• Visit to Antalya museum and visit Roman ruins of Perge,
• White water rafting on the river Köprülü Çay.
• Extra nights in Eğirdir for more walking or other excursions.
• Visit to the Ancient Site of Sagalassos.