St Paul Trail

Through the mountains of southern Turkey, where the Apostle Paul first brought the Gospel to the Gentile world, a remarkable trail traces his missionary footsteps. The St Paul Trail connects the Mediterranean coast to the Anatolian plateau, passing through landscapes where the early Church took root and the Acts of the Apostles came alive.

📜 History & Significance

Around 46 AD, Paul and Barnabas set out from Antioch on what became the first Christian missionary journey, traveling through the Roman province of Galatia to preach in the cities of Pisidia and Lycaonia. The cities they visited - Perge, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra - witnessed the confrontation between the new faith and the ancient world.

The St Paul Trail was developed in the early 2000s by Kate Clow, who also created Turkey's famous Lycian Way. It offers a unique pilgrimage through biblical landscapes, past Greco-Roman ruins and Byzantine churches, in one of Christianity's most important missionary territories.

🥾 Route Overview

The St Paul Trail stretches approximately 500 km from Perge (near Antalya) to Yalvaç (ancient Antioch of Pisidia), typically completed in 20-28 days of trekking. The route crosses the Taurus Mountains through spectacular scenery, from Mediterranean coast to high plateau.

The trail is divided into two main sections: the eastern route through the Köprülü Canyon and the western route via Lake Eğirdir. Both offer challenging mountain terrain, ancient ruins, and encounters with traditional Turkish village life.

☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites

Antioch of Pisidia (modern Yalvaç) preserves the ruins of the city where Paul preached in the synagogue and was expelled, prompting his declaration: "We now turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46). The ancient city's church remains visible among the ruins.

Perge, the trail's starting point, was where Paul and Barnabas first entered Anatolia. The site's impressive Greco-Roman ruins include a stadium, theater, and agora that Paul would have known. Along the route, Byzantine church ruins testify to the faith that took root in his wake.