Carian Trail
Trails
The Carian Trail is an 820 km long-distance footpath exploring the South Western corner of Turkey through the modern provinces of Muğla and Aydın. The trail is officially opened in 2013 and winds through some of the lesser known regions of Turkey.
The trail is named after the Carian civilization, indigenous people of Asia Minor. It passes through an area with many ancient ruins.[Stone paved caravan roads and mule paths connect villages from the coast to a mountainous hinterland. There are pine forest covered mountain slopes, olive terraces and almond groves which are an important part of the region's economy.
Places
The trail rises into to the heart of Caria passing through the carpet weaving villages of Milas to the ancient capital. Passing under the carved ‘labrys’ double headed axe, symbol of Caria, the path ascends to the religious precinct of Labranda worshipping the cult of Zeus Labrandus. The trail continues along stone laid tracks meandering through lush meadows and olive terraces through the foothills of the Latmos Mountains.
People
Aegean culture and tradition characterize the highland villages; the drab colors of the men congregate at the ‘kahve’ tea house are in contrast to the women out in the fields sporting colorful headdress with freshly picked flower.
From the shores of Lake Bafa climbing to the summit of Mount Latmos the trail descends into the pine forests and olive groves of Aydın Provence to the city of Queen Ada, Alinda. Below the sites monumental agora lies above the small town of Karpuzlu, the Carian Trails’ finish line.
Çomakdağ – Kayabükü; This part of the Carian Trail, Passes 100 meters from Our Moongate farm in Narhisar Village! We offer hikers parking and nice accommodations, local home made cuisine based on our own and the regions crops!