Aziz Paul Yolu
St. Paul"s Trail
The place
footpath from Perge to Yalvaç, Turkey
Why go
Antioch Mosaic Museum (Antakya). Sagalassos (remarkably preserved Pisidian city at 1 700 m). Pisidian Antioch (Yalvaç). Eğirdir Lake. Ephesus (Selçuk) — UNESCO World Heritage site. The House of the Virgin Mary.
A bit of history
Mapped by Kate Clow (creator of the Lycian Way) and Terry Richardson, published in 2004. The trail retraces elements of Paul's First, Second and Third Missionary Journeys (Acts 13–21, c. 46–57 AD) through what was then Asia Minor. The ruins along the route (Perge, Aspendos, Sagalassos) represent some of the finest Roman archaeological sites in Turkey.
Getting there
Antakya: bus from Adana (3h) or Gaziantep (3h). Selçuk: train from İzmir (1h15). Both cities have airports nearby.
Recommended gear
Hiking boots. Water (critical — many sections dry). Sun protection (essential). Tent or sleeping bag for remote sections. Snakebite awareness.
Best season
March to May and October to November. June–September too hot on southern sections.