St Paul Trail in Turkey

In short: The trail measures over 400 kilometres and runs from Perge near Antalya to Yalvaç in the Anatolian lake district.

The St Paul Trail leads from Perge near Antalya over the Taurus Mountains to the Anatolian lake district. Over more than 400 kilometres, pilgrims and trekkers walk on old Roman roads and climb to about 2,200 metres. Many people think of Turkey only as beach and sea, but the interior is very different.

The name goes back to the Apostle Paul, who on his first missionary journey travelled from Perge to Antioch in Pisidia, today's Yalvaç. The trail follows this direction, although the exact historical route is not known.

Getting there and back

The starting point in Perge is near Antalya airport, which has good connections to the European flight network. From the northern end in Yalvaç you can easily reach Eğirdir, which has plenty of accommodation and transport back to the coast.

Best time to go

Spring and autumn are the most suitable. Summer is too hot, and on higher ground you will come across snow until May. From November the weather becomes changeable, and longer rainy periods are normal.

Where to stay

On most stages you can sleep with villagers or in simple guesthouses. On some sections, however, you still need a tent. This trail is much lonelier than the Way of St James: pack more water, take an offline map and plan your stages carefully in advance.