Lycian Way, the 3000-year-old cultural treasure of Türkiye, now faces destruction due to a highway on the same path.
Lycian Way is an approximately 760 km long hiking trail in southwestern Türkiye around part of the coast of ancient Lycia. It stretches from Hisarönü (Ovacık), near Fethiye, to Aşağıkaraman in Konyaaltı, about 20 km (12 mi) from Antalya. The trail was opened in 1999 and ever since, nearly 30,000 people embark on this 29-day-long trek each year.
Lycian Way offers insight into the Lycian civilization, while showcasing Türkiye's stunning coastal and mountainous landscapes. By promoting eco-tourism, the Lycian Way not only preserves historical heritage but also supports sustainable travel, making it an iconic symbol of Türkiye's rich cultural and natural legacy.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change announced that the EIA Positive Decision was issued for the Finike-Demre-Kaş-Kalkan State Road Project, which has been debated for years. In the announcement made by the Ministry, it was stated that the Environmental Impact Assessment report on the project was evaluated by the Review and Evaluation Commission and an EIA Positive Decision was made. The project will cut off thousands of trees in addition to 11 archaeological sites and 9 protected areas.
Kaş Environment and Culture Association said the following on its social media account in the campaign it spearheaded: "In the expert report for the double road that transits Kaş and has no connection with the district center; it was reported that the existing Kaş-Kalkan road was passed in 28 minutes, the entrance of the new road would take 31 minutes as it would be from the Ağullu Neighborhood, which is 12 km from the center, and 73 percent of the local people would continue to use the existing road under these conditions. Whereas it is seen that the double road route passes over the existing roads or tangent to the existing roads, and while there is already a three-lane road between Demre-Kaş, and it is sufficient to improve the physical and geometric standards of certain points, making it four-lane again is a tax burden on the Turkish people living in economic difficulties, it is a waste!
With this speech, Kaş Environment and Culture Association explained how absurd and useless it will be to ruin the Lycian Way for an unnecessary highway project due to the cultural consequences alongside the huge disadvantages of the economic difficulties put on the shoulders of Turkish people. However, EIA allowed the project and explains it as follows: "There are protected areas and historical buildings along the entire study corridor. There are historical cemeteries, protected areas, or registered historical buildings around the route, ancient cities such as Istlada, Apollonia, Isinda, Kyaenai, and many ruins with unknown names. These are large and small ancient settlements. Since the route axis follows the existing road, no intervention will be made to the surrounding historical ruins and natural protected areas. In case of an appearance of any movable or immovable cultural property during the works that will be carried out on the route of the mentioned project, the works shall be stopped according to Article 4 of Law No. 2863 and the nearest Museum Directorate or the local administrative authority shall be informed." The above statement, although it acknowledges the presence of many protected areas and historical buildings, dismisses the project's impact by stating there is "no intervention will be made." A four-lane highway cannot be built without excavation work, deforestation, and other gross physical changes in the topography; therefore, no intervention cannot occur in those places. The suggested highway route follows the existing road while also bypassing the historical ruins and natural areas. If the current road already lies within the protected zones, then any expansion or alteration in that for a highway will directly affect these sensitive areas.
In other words, the Lycian Way is not just a simple route of trekking but a 3,000-year-old link between culture and nature that allows us to travel in time toward the past, offering us a sustainable perspective toward the future at the same time. Demolition of this historic path by an unnecessary highway will undermine the historical significance, threaten ecological balance together with the local economies depending on tourism. Instead of irreversible damage, upgrading the existing infrastructure should be carried out with the aim of protecting this unique heritage marking the Lycian Way. Protection of this track is not a matter of saving history but honoring identity and paving ways for future generations to enjoy the beauty and glory of Türkiye.