Skip to content Skip to footer

Best places to hike Marmaris 2021

Marmaris is a gorgeous place with countless beautiful sights. In fact, it’s my favourite thing about living here. For me, the summer is a bit hot for long walks and so I’m currently taking advantage of the mild weather. My favourite spots are in the mountains where you can get a panoramic view of miles around and get away from all the hustle and bustle.

Carian Trail marking in Hisarönü

If you’re an avid hiker, my first recommendation would be to check out the Carian trail. This 820km footpath is the longest in Turkey and makes its way throughout the Muğla and Aydın peninsulas, along the coastline and in the mountains. Their website shows where the campsites on the route are, however you can easily do small sections at a time. The footpath is marked with a red and white line painted on rocks as you go so you know you won’t get lost. I love to wander with my dog wherever I find an opening in the forest and I am routinely shocked at how often I stumble upon the red and white marker, seemingly in the middle of nowhere! The Carian trail is the best option for people who like a bit of a challenge, it can be steep and rocky so I would not recommend it for children but it is never overgrown and you will always be able to find your way.

View from the mountain on Heaven Island.

Nimara Cave is an easily accessible hike around 12km from Marmaris and sits on Heaven island. There’s a decent-sized car park and it is signposted on the way, with a large wooden arch showing where to begin your walk. This is a mostly uphill walk but once you get to the top you will not regret it, it’s breathtaking. Before this, you will pass a small side route that takes you to the cave. Previously a place of worship to the Greek Mother Goddess Leto, this spectacularly huge cave now draws many tourists. The last time I went personally you could not go fully into the cave however I am unsure if this is permanent. If you follow this walk along and up you’ll then get to an area where you can have a picnic and look at the view.

Marmaris beach is not a hike but still a pleasant place to walk. You can start at the Marina and walk down a continues footpath all the way to İçmeler, taking in all the restaurants, cafes and hotels on one side and the sandy beach on the other. This is great for families as you can use a pushchair with ease and there’s plenty of places to pick up drinks and snacks if needed. It’s also almost impossible to get lost! Cycling is another good option here, you can even pick up a bike to rent with an app on the way.
There are many more places to explore if you look for them. Beekeeping is popular here and is done in the forest, this means there are many paths cleared in the trees that anyone can freely stroll down. If you’ve come to visit Marmaris it would be a shame not to really take in all it has to offer.

×