Saint Paul Trail

The Paulusweg (English Saint Paul Trail ) follows as a long-distance hiking and cultural route in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul on his way from the Mediterranean to the ancient city of Antioch. The challenging part of the journey trekking route traces the path of the first missionary journey, Paul ' through Pisidian and leads to a number of historical sites. With a total distance of about 500 kilometers of the Paulusweg applies after the Lycian Way as the second- oldest long distance hiking trail in the country and one of the longest cultural routes of the country. The trail starts from the coast in two arms and reached the highest point at about 2200 m ( two peaks around 2800 m can be climbed optional). The Paulusweg was opened by Kate Clow and Terry Richardson 2004.

Itinerary

The Paulusweg began until recently near the coast in Antalya Perge and Aspendos ancient sites. The eastern arm, which led parallel to the valley of Köprü Çayi Aspendos to the north, but was a forest fire in 2009 largely destroyed or deprived of his originality. The eastern route now starts in ancient Selge near the settlement Beskonak. The west route goes as far from Perge by the coast upstream hill country to the Kurşunlu and Uçansu waterfalls. Past the old Pednelissos, from where branches since 2013 a cross- connection to the eastern route after Selge, the path leads through wooded heights after Çandır and Sütçüler. The two arms meet at the ruins of Adada. Currently, the trail runs far to the east of the lake Kovada Sipahiler about to descend until the end of the lake into the valley. For spring 2013, a connection of the eastern shore is planned. Before the road to Eğirdir Lake drops, it reaches its maximum height above the sea near the ski resort located in Isparta Davras. The trail follows the western shore of the lake up to its narrowest point, where the hikers translate by fishing boat. From the east bank of the Paulusweg passes to the north east to the ancient Antioch near the town Yalvaç.

The Culture Routes in Turkey

The Paulusweg applies after the Lycian Way as the second oldest cultural route in Turkey. The first marked long-distance trail, the Lycian Way has become one of the most popular cultural and walking routes in Europe since its founding in 1999. A similar development of Paul's path ( albeit with shorter due to the altitude hiking season ) is in sight. Since the early noughties, a variety of other ways originated in Turkey, which can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The roads designated as cultural routes follow ancient trade routes, or are based on traces of famous travelers. Thus, for example, the Sultan's Trail in the Thracian part of Turkey, the first section of a 2100 km long route from Istanbul to Vienna that traces a 141 -day military expedition of Sultan Süleyman in 1529. Evliya Çelebi - The - Way in the north- west of the country follows in the footsteps of Evliya Çelebi Ottoman writer of the 17th century. The routes have been developed with the aim of promoting the cultural heritage of Turkey trekkers and other Wegnutzern "in passing " accessible. The Association, founded in 2012, the cultural routes in Turkey is a non-profit organization in which the founders of the routes have teamed up with local tour operators, board operators and other partners. The aim of the association is the way to develop in a sustainable tourism, and to preserve the routes for future generations.