Aegean Coast Road Biking – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 3
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 45 Miles/day average
Dates: Mar 28, Apr 4, Oct 17, 2015
Tour price: €1060
Start city: Izmir, Turkey
End city: Dalaman, Turkey
Tour Description
The Aegean coast is substantially less developed than the Mediterranean and is perhaps the best place to take a road biking holiday in Turkey. The absence of a major coastal highway, combined with a maritime geography of wooded peninsulas, inlets and islands and a blissful climate makes this a perfectly idyllic and intriguing area.
You follow less travelled roads that link mountainous olive groves with meandering, relatively flat seaside areas and exquisite coastal peninsulas.
Although this tour spans a relatively short direct distance, its route from coast to mountains is pretty hilly at times and a decent challenge to any cyclist. However, the rewards are great, with some of Western Turkey’s most perfect coastal scenery and a huge variety of meandering roads with panoramas guaranteed to keep you enthralled as you ride.
Note:
Your booking for guided departures will be confirmed when the tour reaches a minimum of 5 participants, including your party.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival Day 2: Sirince – Lake Bafa/Kapikiri (40 mi/64km, 1460 ft/445 m ascent, 2428 ft/740 m descent) You continue on a very quiet country road before dropping down to the coast in Kusadasi- the region’s most famous seaside town. You escape the town directly, however, heading down the coast to the wonder Dilek Peninsula National Park. You ride to the end of the peninsula road and then have time to relax on the beach. You then take a transfer to Lake Bafa and have time to explore the wonderful surroundings there. Bafa is a protected Nature Reserve area, and the northern shore of the lake, where steep slopes are covered by wild or semi-domesticated olive trees, is virtually untouched to this day. Day 3: Lake Bafa/Kapikiri – Milas (40 mi/65 km, 4085ft/1245m ascent, 4068ft/1240m descent) From Kayabuku you ride the remaining uphill section and continue through pristine mountain scenery amongst a landscape of huge granite boulders, mature pine trees and small villages where time really has stood still. There are no shops, restaurants or hotels here. You eat a picnic lunch outside a local tearoom in Goldere village (drinks may be available) and continue up the day’s second big climb to the hilltop village of Narhisar, from where the panoramic views are breathtaking! We continue to Ikiztas on a hard packed gravel surface. This rough section is fine even for road bikes as long as you take it easy. There are a couple of short sections where you may need to walk, but the landscapes, views and wonderful tastes of local mountain life here more than compensate! We carry on eastwards until a massive downhill off the mountains, past Comakdag to the youthful student town of Milas, where there is an option of a Turkish bath. You stay in a high quality, modern hotel on the town’s edge and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner. Day 4: Milas – Akbuk (47 mi/75 km, 4199 ft/1280 m ascent, 4396 ft/1340 m descent) From Oren you head inland to a densely wooded valley where there are impressive ruins of a Roman aqueduct to be seen. The afternoon’s big hill is a challenge for all, but from our elevated position at Alatepe village, the panoramas are breathtaking and eventually you pass by Kultak village to arrive again at the coast, high above Akbuk, a nature lovers paradise and a well hidden secret. Akbuk is a protected area and the only development here is a couple of camping and caravanning parks, a small pension (where we stay) and one or two small markets that supply a handful of yachts with essential supplies. It’s a classic Turkish Mediterranean landscape, with steep pine forested hills coming right down to the seaside. The shingle beach is clean, and the jetty makes a perfect diving board into the ocean for a post ride cool down! A fantastic place to finish a great day’s ride- and one that for the moment you will have largely to yourself- especially out of season. Day 5: Akbuk – Selimiye (46 mi/75 km, 2625 ft/800 m ascent, 2461 ft/750 m descent) You leave your driver at the top of the hill on the road to Yesilbelde, bypassing the town of Marmaris and enjoying awesome views over the bays, peninsulas and islands below. You pass Yesilbelde and rejoin the main road briefly, before turning onto the wonderful Bozburun Peninsula at Hisaronu. Here, the coast road is unforgettably picturesque, meandering its way between little visited bays and paradise villages along the peninsula, often right on the waterside. Day 6: Selimiye – Marmaris (32 mi/52 km, 3379 ft/1030 m ascent, 3937 ft/1200 m descent) After enjoying a restaurant lunch here and sampling the many varieties of honey that the region is famous for, you continue on one final climb that brings you out high above the coast once more. The ride is a mixture of awesome coast roads and steep mountain lanes and the beach resort of Icmeler will be a strange sight below. You cut across the seaside strip here on the beachfront cycleway, and continue on a good road along the coast to Marmaris- where plenty of tourist comforts and entertainment possibilities present themselves. Day 7: Dalyan (25 mil/41 km, 1886 ft/575 m ascent, 1952 ft/595 m descent) You finally arrive at the river side and enjoy a buffet lunch before taking a taxi boat across the water to arrive in Dalyan. It’s an easier day cycling wise, but just what the doctor ordered to go home feeling refreshed and relaxed! Your pension overlooks the clear blue waters of the Dalyan River, where you can often see fresh water turtles, amongst a host of wildlife that visits this natural haven. Day 8: Departure day Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Bikes come equipped with: Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
You will arrive in Izmir individually and then transfer to Selcuk/Sirince. You will stay in a beautiful and old-fashioned wine producing village in a beautifully restored Greek “Konak” house. You have time to relax here, enjoy a nice dinner, unpack and build up your bikes and then have a pre-tour briefing.
Overnight in Sirince.
From Sirince you follow the hairpins downhill to Selcuk, and start your tour visiting the wonderful ruins at Ephesus- perhaps Turkey’s number one must-see site! From there, you ride through fruit orchards and vineyards, winding up and over rolling hills to Kirazli, where you enjoy a wonderful lunch in one of the region’s best traditional village food restaurants.
Overnight in Kapikiri.
Today you pedal inland through mountains and hills strewn with massive granite boulders. After meandering round the lake for 5 mi/8 km you descend on the main road to Selimiye before starting a big climb into the Latmos (Besparmak) mountains. Note- this is a big climb and there’s no shame in taking advantage of a lift up the mountain. Your driver will be waiting for you in Kandak village at the bottom of the climb to Kayabuku.
Overnight in Milas.
From Milas you transfer to the village of Mumcular and ride through rolling, pastoral hills to arrive at the coast in adorable fashion- on a deserted asphalt road that runs right along the beach! Your route takes you through a gorgeous Mediterranean landscape and past little known villages and picturesque seaside coves only frequented by the occasional yacht. You continue east, on small roads through mountainous scenery, enjoying a morning break at the beautiful cove of Cokertme before continuing to Oren, where you enjoy a restaurant lunch in the shade of palm trees along a pristine beach.
Overnight in Akbuk.
From Akbuk you follow an easy going and incredibly beautiful single track coast road that may perhaps be the best cycling road in Turkey! With no traffic out of season, and a new road surface, this relatively flat 15 mi/25 km stretch to Gokova is absolute paradise! In the shade of mature pines with fleeting glimpses down to the azure waters below, it’s a miracle that these places can be so close to Marmaris and yet so blissfully unspoiled! You reach the Mugla – Marmaris road at Akcapinar village and after enjoying a wonderful lunch in a speciality Black Sea restaurant take a short transfer.
Overnight in Selimiye.
Today you explore the undeveloped and quintessentially Aegean Bozburun Peninsula. This is a shorter day, distance wise, but its mountainous route is challenging- though the views and traffic free roads more than make up for it! From Selimiye you pass Bozburun village and have the chance to view the construction of the world’s largest wooden hulled yacht (459 ft/140m in length!). Then you head into the mountainous hinterland, climbing into the hills via Sogutkoy to Bayirkoy, a wonderfully picturesque place set in lush, green hills where you eat a picnic lunch beneath a plane tree that truly is 1880 years old!
Overnight in Dalyan.
Our final day of road biking takes it a little easier, which you must do in order to appreciate the incredible diversity, uniqueness and picturesque splendour of Dalyan. You start with a transfer to the lakeside town of Koycegiz and take an often hilly tour around the lake with it’s incredible hot springs and mud baths- perfect for relaxing road weary muscles! You ride through Sultaniye and Candir before stopping to explore the ancient city and admire the massive Lycian rock tombs at Kaunos.
Overnight in Dalyan.
Your last day together- time to pack up bikes and enjoy a lazy riverside breakfast, exchanging stories about the trip. You will be transfered to Dalaman Airport for your homeward flight.
Bikes available for rent on this tour (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):
The bikes are equipped with flat pedals. You may bring your own pedals if desired. If you do so, remember to pack your cycling shoes as well.
Tour saddles are included, but you may bring your own seat. Please let us know if you intend to bring your own seat, so we can ensure the post will fit the bike.
Helmet rental is available as part of the bike rental on this tour. For safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend that you bring your own helmet.
