Which Mediterranean forest and canyon walks can you do without the heat getting you?

On a July day when it hits 40 degrees on the Antalya coast, you can be cooling your feet in an ice-cold stream in the forest less than two hours' drive away. The Taurus Mountains (Toroslar) come so close to the sea that sometimes there isn't even five kilometres between the beach and the pine forest.

But the Mediterranean mountains are less forgiving than the Aegean ones. The heat arrives earlier, springs dry up earlier and the fire season lasts longer. In this post we've collected six routes, when to go and what to watch out for in summer.

The calendar first: fire season on the Mediterranean

At the time of writing, in 2026 the Antalya governor's office banned entry to forests from 1 May to 31 October. The areas that could still be entered were announced in a list, and lighting fires was banned in those too. In Muğla the 2026 ban ran from 1 June to 31 October and covered 50 forested areas. Registered picnic and recreation areas in Muğla were excluded.

So when you plan a forest walk on the Mediterranean between May and the end of October, check the governor's office list first. From November to April there's no ban and no heat. Just snow on the high ground and short days.

1. The forest stages of the Lycian Way

The Lycian Way (Likya Yolu) is a walking route of about 540 kilometres, running from the village of Ovacık near Fethiye to Geyikbayırı near Antalya. People who walk the whole thing usually set aside about a month. Most choose a stage or two.

For forest, two areas stand out:

• The Fethiye end: the section starting in Ovacık and dropping down to Kabak gives you pine forest and sea views together. We covered this stage in our post on Butterfly Valley and Kabak.
• The Olympos and Tahtalı end: from Çıralı to Ulupınar is about 8 kilometres with 560 metres of ascent. From Ulupınar to Beycik there's a climb of about a thousand metres through cedar forest, steep almost all the way. Beycik sits at the foot of Tahtalı Dağı.

The best months are April-May and September-October. The route's biggest problem is water. On the Fethiye side there are stretches of 15 kilometres with no spring, and walkers recommend carrying at least 3 litres. In September and October many springs may have dried up. There's no phone signal in places, so download the map for offline use.

2. Güllük Dağı-Termessos National Park

About 30 kilometres north-west of Antalya, on the Korkuteli road. Declared in 1970, the park covers the wooded slopes of Güllük Dağı and the ancient city of Termessos on top of the mountain. The path from the car park up to the ancient city goes through pine forest and looks out over the Antalya plain.

• There's no public transport. You go by car or on a tour.
• There's a national park entry fee.
• Set off early in the morning. The stony path heats up by midday.
• Because of the wildlife, entry closes at a set time in the evening.

The best months are April-June and September-October.

3. Köprülü Kanyon: the Mediterranean's cypress forest

Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı (Köprülü Canyon National Park) was declared in 1973. The canyon of about 14 kilometres carved by the Köprüçay river is known for rafting. Less well known is that it holds an area of about 400 hectares described as the largest natural cypress forest in the Mediterranean region.

For a walk, the road from the Oluk Köprüsü bridge up to Selge (the village of Altınkaya) is a good choice. The road is narrow and winding, so leave a large campervan down below. To stay on the canyon side there are riverside camps such as Fenomen Rafting & Camping and Flora Camping & Rafting. More in our Köprülü Canyon guide.

4. Saklıkent: walking inside the canyon

About 45 kilometres from Fethiye, Saklıkent is a canyon around 18 kilometres long. The walls are so high that the sun barely reaches the bottom. That's why the water inside stays at 5-10 degrees even in midsummer.

Most visitors step into the water where the wooden boardwalk ends and wade a little way up the canyon. When the water is high and fast, going into the canyon is dangerous. Follow the staff's warnings and don't go deep in on days after rain. Expect to get wet and bring water shoes.

5. The Beydağları and Tahtalı Dağı

The rocky mountains rising behind Kemer are part of Olimpos Beydağları Milli Parkı (Olympos Beydağları National Park). The park's highest point is Tahtalı Dağı, at 2,365 metres. If you'd rather not walk, the Olympos Teleferik cable car runs from the station at 726 metres to the summit.

For walkers the real draw is the forest on the mountain's lower slopes. The section of the Lycian Way between Beycik and Çıralı passes through here. You can finish the day by going up to Yanartaş (the Chimaera, the eternal flames) in the evening. We covered this side of the park in our post on Olympos National Park and the Chimaera.

6. Göynük Kanyonu, Kemer

A narrow canyon just north of Kemer, reached by following the Göynük signs from the D400 coast road. The further into the canyon you go, the more ice-cold pools you have to get through. The operator doesn't let anyone into this part without a life jacket and a helmet.

Check opening hours and the fee in advance. In summer, going early in the morning is always more comfortable.

Where to stay near the routes

Most of these routes are less than an hour from the camping areas on the coast. You can go down to the sea in the evening and up the mountain in the morning.

We couldn't find any campsite information specifically for Termessos. Going there and back from Antalya in a day is the most practical option.

Rules for walking in the heat

• Start at dawn, rest at midday. Stay in the shade between 11.00 and 16.00.
• Be generous with water. Allow at least half a litre an hour and don't rely on springs.
• Wear light colours and long sleeves. A hat is essential.
• Don't light fires, and don't drop cigarette ends. The Mediterranean's red pine (Turkish pine) forests burn very fast.
• If you see smoke, call 112.
• If you're walking alone, tell someone your route.

We've collected the details of fire-season bans and the rules on wild camping in our post on wild camping rules in Türkiye. If you're curious about the Aegean side, see our Aegean forest walks.

Frequently asked questions

When does the forest entry ban end in Antalya? At the time of writing, the 2026 ban ended on 31 October. The dates are set again every year by a governor's office circular.

Can you walk the Lycian Way in summer? It's not recommended. Heat and lack of water are serious risks. If you do walk in summer, pick short, shaded stages that drop down to the sea.

Can you take children to Saklıkent? The boardwalk and the mouth of the canyon are fine for children. Wading further in depends on the current and the water level.

Do you have to get in the water at Göynük Kanyonu? The first parts are walked. If you want to go further into the canyon, be ready to get into cold water. Life jackets and helmets are compulsory.

For places close to your route, have a look at our campsite list.

Sources

• Forest entry banned in Antalya, Karar
• Forest entry banned in Muğla, İşçi Haber
• Mount Güllük-Termessos National Park, Wikipedia
• Köprülü Kanyon National Park, Küre Ansiklopedi
• Saklıkent National Park, Küre Ansiklopedi
• Göynük Canyon draws adventure seekers, Hürriyet Daily News
• Lycian Way stage 1: Fethiye, Kayaköy, Ovacık, Outdoor Haber
• Ulupınar-Beycik stage, Trekopedia

Image credits

Photos illustrate the region; they are not photos of the campsites themselves.

• Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı: Kadı, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons_02.jpg)
• Olimpos sahili: Olympos_beach.jpg: Alex Graves derivat…, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
• Kemer sahili: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons