Kayqubad Route Opens to Tourists

The Konya Governorship, Antalya Governorship, and Konya Metropolitan Municipality have opened the 405-kilometer-long Kayqubad Migration and Caravan Route between Konya and Alanya to tourism.

Two major promotional hikes crowned the opening of the project to tourism, with a total of 360 nature and history enthusiasts taking part along the ancient routes. Held in April and May 2025, the events offered a step-by-step exploration of Anatolia’s deep-rooted heritage.

During the first hike, the 71-kilometer route from Güneycik in Alanya to Çıplaklı was completed, passing by ancient bridges, stone-paved roads, and the lush highlands of the Taurus Mountains.

Participants embarked on a journey through history, from the mysterious legend of Ali Bridge to the spiritual atmosphere of the Mahmud Seydi Tomb, from healing springs to the ancient tombs of Colybrassus.

In the second event, participants set out from Meram Gavur Lake and reached Evliyatekke Village, known for its peaceful atmosphere and the tombs of Sheikh Abdulmuttalip and Sheikh Muhammed Arif.

The journey concluded with a 17-kilometer hike through the fairy chimneys reminiscent of Cappadocia and the ancient city of Kilistra, once a refuge for Byzantine monks. Both hikes offered participants an unforgettable experience in the footsteps of ancient civilizations.

With this impressive event, the Kayqubad Migration and Caravan Route was once again proven to be a meeting point for both nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Ümmühan Ekiz, a nature enthusiast who joined the first hike, stated that she has walked many routes since 2014 and added, “It was a special honor to be among the first to walk this trail. These five days were wonderful for me—we made new friendships. I thank Konya Municipality and all our guides for their efforts.”

Traveler Bryan Dennis Keith, who came from the United States, shared his thoughts by saying, “We don’t have anything like this back home. We might have mountain views, but not these old stone houses or terraced fields. I really enjoy seeing all this. It was a very pleasant five-day tour. Last year, I also joined the Zenginbar Route. I was so impressed with the Metropolitan Municipality’s organization that I came again this year. I’m truly grateful.”

A Journey in the Footsteps of History and Nature

Stretching from Konya to Alanya, the Kayqubad Route serves as a bridge where civilizations from the Hellenistic period to the Seljuks, and from Rome to Byzantium, once intersected. Lined with restored caravanserais, stone-paved roads, and ancient cities, the route guides hikers and cyclists from the towering cliffs of the Blue Strait Canyon to the roaring waters of Aygırdibi Waterfall, and from the clear streams of the Alara River to the mysterious ruins of the ancient city of Colybrassus.