Walking the Turkish Coast: Bodrum to Marmaris

TURKISH COAST: BODRUM TO MARMARIS, 3rd edition (2012); updated 20/10/2023

Updates for walks and all general information given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book you can “upgrade” to the latest edition at half price.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably by e-mail, to info@sunflowerbooks.co.uk.

This guide has not been updated for years and is only currently available as a pdf. However, a user has written to us (10/23) about Walks 6 and 10: ‘Hi we used the 3rd edition of “Bodrum to Marmaris” this summer to do three walks on the Bodrum peninsula.
It was clear to us that the book has become out-of-date due to new building development and other changes to hiking trails.’

We regret a major error on the pull-out map, which shows the walking areas in the Kas to Dalyan guide rather than the Bodrum – Marmaris guide. Please use the following link to download a PDF of the correct map: Bodrum/Marmaris region map.

Walk 2: I have just used the 3rd edition 2012 Sunflower guide for walking in the area. Near the start of the walk, the path contours around a hill between a white pump house and the Karakaya road. They are erecting a building to the left above the path. To form the building foundations the bulldozers have pushed rocks and rubble down the hillside across the footpath. It is possible to scramble up this pile of rocks, but having a walking party with mixed abilities, I decided not to take the risk. Unfortunately because of this obstruction we could not complete the walk. Hope this helps towards re-establishing the route as the walk and views were excellent. (User, 5/13)

Walk 5: Unfortunately, we couldn’t get started on this walk. We duly walked down from Cop Yolu, found where the banking dipped and saw the track running up at about 45 degrees to the main road towards some houses (as shown on map). However, at this point there was a new concrete track with a manned barrier on it leading to some housing development. It may be that the walk can be accessed in some other way. (User, 10/11)

Walk 6: This is an excellent walk, although with a couple of changes to the instructions.
Soon after reaching the high point with views of the Northern Shore one can pick up the trail with Red/White markings on rocks. There is also a hiking signpost at this point to Pedasa. The trail then passes the ruined Tower.
Then almost immediately after reaching a second Sarnic (round water cistern) in the middle of trees you need to turn right onto a trail marked in Red/Yellow. There is also a hiking signpost here but it was very overgrown.
However before turning right onto the Red/Yellow trail it is worth continuing along the path to Kibrel for a lovely picnic spot and views. Return back to the Sarnic to pick up the Red/Yellow trail.
The Red/Yellow trail is at times slightly overgrown and difficult to follow, but it will lead you all the way to a dust road that winds down into the outskirts of Bitez. (User, 10/23)

Walk 10: A very pleasant walk up to the ancient ruins of Pedasa. The early route has changed due to building work.
We walked up the road from the bus station to the junction with the dual carriageway, carefully crossed the carriageways, and turned left along the main road.
Soon after a petrol station there is a side road with the hiking trail to Pedasa very clearly marked.
Follow this hiking trail (red/white on lamp-posts etc) steeply up through the housing estates. Its route has been diverted from that printed in the book, and after it leaves the housing estate you will find that you are walking up the hill with the dry ravine on your left.
After going under the electricity pylons the route turns 90 degrees right, then a few minutes later reaches a junction of tracks where you need to turn sharp left almost doubling back on yourself.
Keep to the main tracks and turn left at the t-junction of paths to reach a ramshackle farming community in a large clearing in the woods, the route here is hard to find – we had to ask for help – keep the community to your left, passing close to a building at the far side of the community. Do not lose altitude. After the final house and just over the rise there is a main dirt track leading through the trees. Once again keep to the main track and keep turning slightly left.
After 10 minutes you’ll find an isolated farmhouse set on a ridge, turn right here.
5 minutes later, almost at the top of the rise you need to be eagle-eyed to see a path going off the main route to the right. This path is very indistinct, but is marked by red/white markings to cross a collapsed stone wall. Continue onward in the same direction through a small copse to meet a dust track. The tower of Pedasa is now visible. Turn left and follow this dust track down and then up to Pedasa. (User, 10/23)

Walk 15, alternative suggestion: If you walk along the road from Marmaris towards Turunc, you pass the market place. At the exit from the market (Turunc side) there is an arch. Just on the opposite side of the road is a green iron gate and behind it an electricity sub-station. You cross a stream 4 times; after the 4th crossing you come to a fork. This route is the route of Walk 15 (the orman yolu). If you go left here, you can follow Walk 15 back to Armutalan or take the shorter route to Arkutca and catch a dolmus.If you go left, you can follow Walk 15 to Siteler or go via Seyir Terasi to Armutalan. If you continue, after about 30-35min from starting out you come to a fork: If you go right you come to the highest peak between Marmaris and Içmeler, some 600m high. The route is a very steep and stony fire-break, which climbs straight up and then straight down. On the downward slope it’s skiddy and needs care. After crossing about 5 peaks you come back to the route of Walk 15 some 600m south of the turn-off at the ‘Kampyeri’ signpost, and you can continue to Siteler. This is a beautiful but quite demanding walk for those based around Içmeler – only suitable for very fit walkers with boots, walking sticks and rucksacks. Nothing should be loose, since you have to go on all fours at times. (User, 2004) + After passing the fountain on ‘Sinan Cad’ the road is now tarmac-ed and developed, and we were unable to find a waymarked path/trail half a minute past a U bend by a dry steam bed. Looks like a house has been built by the U bend, and that the path might have been obliterated. Instead we chose to follow a clear track just after the fountain that made its way up the hill and eventually joined the forest track between Mamaris and Seyir Terasi (picnic spot on the alternative walk). Descending to the Siteler track (1h45 point on the main walk), we found an excellent (and only one discovered!) information board showing all the forest trails in the Amatulan Trekking area, and we chose to follow a track back to Icmeler. After a pleasant walk through the rural farming valleys we eventually met the Icmeler to Datca road, for a 5 km. walk back to Icemeler (or we could have caught one of the many passing taxis…) (User, 5/11)

Alternative route to the ridge beginning in Turunc village: This route is more convenient for those staying in Turunc, as you can reach the path just below the ridge directly from Turunc without having to go up the road to the Loryma Resort. However, the route is steeper and not waymarked with paint. The route begins at the small graveyard at the bottom of the pine woods, behind the beach at the north end of Turunc village. To find the graveyard, walk north along the main street in the center of Turunc, go past the Sen Apart hotel, and turn right onto 60 Evler Cd road, and continue for a couple of minutes past the Hotel Mavi Deniz. Go through the graveyard gates and up the steps to the back of the graveyard, then turn left and follow the broad track leading upwards which bends to the right and go past several new graves. Follow a dry stream bed upwards for around 200 meters, until you see a large rock and goat track on the right. The track is marked with a small cairn (although it cannot be guaranteed to still be there). Follow the goat track through the woods, dipping down to cross another small dry stream bed after several minutes, and follow the track (again, there are small cairns marking the way, but these may or may not still be there) as it begins to climb the side of the hill. After 10 – 15 minutes of fairly steep walking, you reach the main path from the Loryma Resort just below the ridge, where there are plenty of painted waymarks. Turn right on the main path to continue up to the ridge and beyond to Icmeler. (User, 9/10)