Arrival on Rhodes (DRF-01R)
You’ll be met at the airport and taken to Rhodes Town. Here you walk right into the middle ages: the impressive town from the Crusader’s time is wonderfully restored. In the evening it’s very lively.
Bike tour Symi or city walk Rhodes town (DRF-09)
In Rhodes town you walk right into the middle ages: the impressive town from the Crusader’s time is wonderfully restored. You have all day to spend here.
You may also book an excursion to the picturesque neighbouring islet Symi. On this tour you’ll visit both the Panormitis monastery in the south as the photogenic capital in the north. Sportsmen bring their bike to cycle back from south to north.
distance: 25km
altitude difference: 500m
start/finish: Symi
From Rhodes Town to Archangellos (DRF-10)
The Rhodes trekking starts along the east coast. Points of interest along the way are the golden beach of Afandou, the Turkish baths of Kalithea and the Tsambika monastery (short but steep hiking path). In Archangellos village you’ll be warmly received by the owner of the family hotel.
distance: 40km
altitude difference: 400m
start/finish: Rhodes town / Archangellos
From Archangellos to Lindos and back (DRF-11)
Today you bike to Lindos. The famous white little town is splendidly situated on a double bay. The village consists of narrow alleys, covered in summer to keep away the heat. It’s a tourist attraction and very crowded in summer, but certainly worth a visit in low season. The little white houses and the bigger 16th -18th century captain’s mansions are a feast for the eye.
The acropole is on 115m altitude above the village: you make stroll up or charter a donkey. From the acropole you’ll have a marvelous view over the bay. You’ll find Byzantine water reservoirs, St. John’s castle, a Hellenistic stoa and the temple of Athina Lindia.
You cycle the same route back. You may also opt for the public bus forth and back.
distance: 46km
altitude difference: 150m
start/finish: Archangellos
From Archangellos to Embonas (DRF-12)
Embonas is the next stage on your biking holiday, a mountain village on 850m altitude on the slopes of the Ataviros, Rhodes’ highest mountain. You’ll have splendid views over sea and some islets. This is the wine centre of Rhodes. There are several free wine tastings and a folklore museum.
distance: 38km
altitude difference: 450m
start/finish: Archangellos / Embonas
From Embonas to Kalavarda (DRF-13)
Via Kritinia castle you’ll cycle to Kalavarda. It’s a wonderful biking route right on the uninhabited coast. Kalavarda is a quiet village on the west coast, within a stone’s throw from ancient Kamiros, certainly worth a visit!
Kamiros dates from the 6th century before Christ and is rebuilt in 226 after a devastating earthquake. During another earthquake in 142 the city was ruined again and left. In ancient times it was one of the three most important towns of Rhodes.
distance: 33km
altitude difference: 600m
start/finish: Embonas / Kalavarda
Circular tour to the butterfly valley Petaloudes (DRF-14)
On your last biking day you’ll make a circular tour along the cool butterfly valley Petaloudes (butterfly season June-September). The butterflies, a rare subspecies of the Jersey tiger, a nocturnal moth, sit in great numbers on trees and leaves. In the summer rest period they don’t eat; you may not disturb them, because flying up tires them and they won’t be able to reproduce later.
distance: 35km
altitude difference: 200m
start/finish: Kalavarda
From Rhodes to Turkey (DRF-08T)
You’ll be taken to the ferry port of Rhodes; the ferry to Fethiye normally takes off at the end of the afternoon. After 2½ hours you’ll reach Fethiye port. Upon arrival the chauffeur will be ready and take you in about 10 minutes to your accommodation in Fethiye.
The first two days of your hiking holiday you’ll stay in Fethiye in a small-scale typical Turkish hotel of a hospitable Turkish family. Fethiye is situated on a lovely bay and circled by the lower Taurus mountains. Fethiye has a authentic centre, named Paspatur, where you’ll find all kinds of little shops and a real fish market. The original amphitheatre is restored and on the border of the town you’ll find Lycian graves in the rock.
Circular pensinsula tour and/or farmland tour (DRF-02)
Today you may choose from 2 different bicycle routes. The tour around the peninsula is a real gem with many azure blue bays and beach bars where you may relax with a refreshing drink. The beautiful coastal road meanders through the landscape and goes up and down.
The farmland tour is a lovely route through the rural hinterland of Fethiye, where you cycle on small roads along the valley. Characteristic are the many authentic villages where time seems to have stopped.
You may also combine both tours to make a more strenuous day.
distance: 24km (peninsula) or 41km (farmland)
altitude difference: 275m or 200m
start/finish: Fethiye
Green-valley tour (DRF-03)
First you cycle along a bicycle path along the coast towards the beaches of Fethiye. On the seaside you may enjoy a coffee.
Then you continue along orange groves and follow the river upstream into the valley. You may take lunch in a taverna on the border of the fast-flowing river. All products are home-grown and the self-made bread and olives are a marvel on the palate. This really is Turkey at its best!
distance: 37km
altitude difference: 200m
start/finish: Fethiye
From Göcek to Dalyan (DRF-04)
After breakfast you’re transferred in 30 minutes to the starting point of today’s biking route. You start with a descent. Then you’ll bike through a relatively flat area towards the lively Dalyan, situated on the river delta near Köycegiz lake.
Near Köycegiz you may visit the Karyan rock graves. The river delta near Dalyan is a protected nature area known for the Caretta caretta sea terrapins that lay their eggs on the beach.
Here you’ll stay for two nights in a guest house lovely situated on the river with views on the Karian rock graves.
distance: 40km
altitude difference: 400m
start/finish: Göcek / Dalyan
Circular tour Dalyan or rest day (DRF-05)
Today you have a couple of choices. You may cycle along the many pomegranate orchards in the vicinity of Dalyan.
For an alternative program you may make a boat trip with visit to the beach of Iztuzu, the ancient city of Kaunos and the healing mud and sulphur baths on the border of the Köycegiz lake.
You may also stay in Dalyan and relax at the pool or on the beach.
distance: 30km
altitude difference: 250m
start/finish: Dalyan
From Dalyan to Köycegiz (DRF-06)
You leave Dalyan in northern direction and cycle through the rural countryside along old villages. The soil is very fertile and you’ll find many kinds of fruits.
Köycegiz is a traditional Turkish town with some 19- and early 20-century historical buildings. On the square you’ll find the ‘Lion of Kaunos’, a statue that was brought from Kaunos to Köycegiz after illegal excavations. On Mondays there is a traditional market.
Köycegiz is a marvellous place to stay and is situated on the likewise named lake. It’s hardly comprehensible that in the last years this place lost it’s popularity to Dalyan!
distance: 40km
altitude difference: 300m
start/finish: Dalyan / Köycegiz
From Köycegiz to Dalyan (DRF-07)
Your last bike tour in Turkey takes you along the borders of the lake back to Dalyan. On the way you’ll pass villages like Hamitköy. At the beginning of last century these villages were inhabited by Indians, working in the fruit orchards. Many houses still show the wickerwork structure and are made by the Indian labourers. You cycle on quiet roads in a hilly area.
The small ferry takes you across the river and then you cycle back to the hotel in Dalyan.
distance: 35km
altitude difference: 500m
start/finish: Köycegiz / Dalyan
Departure from Dalaman (DRF-15T)
You’ll be taken to Dalaman airport for your return flight.
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