St. Paul Trail

St. Paul Trail

The St. Paul Trail connects Ancient Perge, east of Antalya, with Yalvac to the northeast of Lake Egirdir. The approximately 500 km route was developed around the geography associated with St. Paul's first journey through Anatolia and was opened as a long-distance hiking trail by Kate Clow in 2008.

How Does the Route Continue?

The main route starts at Perge, while a second branch begins around Beskonak near the entrance to Koprulu Canyon National Park. The two branches meet near the Ancient City of Adada in the Sutculer area of Isparta before continuing towards Lake Egirdir and eventually Yalvac.

The trail follows sections of Roman road, old stone-paved routes, forest tracks, village roads and mountain paths. This combination makes it more than a long-distance hike: the route passes through ancient settlements, rural landscapes and the mountainous terrain of the Taurus region.

Terrain and Elevation

The St. Paul Trail begins near sea level and reaches approximately 2,200 metres on some stages. Optional summit routes connected with the trail can climb to around 2,800 metres. As a result, the difficulty and terrain vary considerably from one section to another.

Compared with the Lycian Way, the St. Paul Trail passes through more remote and higher-altitude countryside in several sections. Long mountain stages and stretches between settlements are part of the route. A traditional itinerary for the complete trail takes around 27 days, although individual sections can also be walked separately.

Accommodation and Camping

Beskonak, Egirdir and Yalvac are among the places along the route with a broader choice of accommodation. Guesthouses or village accommodation may be available in some settlements, while camping equipment can be necessary on longer and more remote stages.

Because this is a long-distance mountain route, current stage information, water sources and route conditions should be checked before setting out. Red-and-white waymarks and signs are used along the trail, but up-to-date maps and GPS data are particularly useful on remote or mountainous sections.

When Is the Best Time to Hike the St. Paul Trail?

Spring and autumn are generally the most suitable seasons for hiking the St. Paul Trail. In July and August, high temperatures can make the lower sections around Antalya difficult, while weather conditions can change more rapidly at higher elevations.

A defining feature of the St. Paul Trail is the way it combines ancient Roman roads, Taurus mountain landscapes, rural villages and historic settlements along a long-distance route of approximately 500 km.