Route: Beşparmak Trail (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus)

Brandon Chase posted the route:

I am planning an Unsupported FKT attempt of the 255km Beşparmak Trail in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from March 2-7, 2018. This is a fairly unknown but well-marked trail along the Kyrenia Mountains on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus which was created in 2010 and designated as long-distance trail by the Ministry of Tourism in 2015. 

In speaking with the person who created the trail and now leads hiking tours on it, no one to his knowledge has attempted an FKT nor ever completed the trail in fewer than 8 days. I also cannot find any evidence of an FKT on this trail. 

My plan is to complete the trail, unsupported, from West to East in 5 days. I will carry all of my own food and only resupply my water along the way. I have run along this trail many times and know where the sources are. Here is some information about the trail, as well as a Google Map of the whole thing.  

I will use a DeLorme InReach for tracking as well as a Suunto Ambit3 Peak for navigation. I plan to take lots of photos, keep a journal, and will write a detailed report when complete which I will publish on my blog (and here) at www.fitformiles.com.


This is my first FKT attempt and I'm using it as a primer for my upcoming thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail as well as an effort to promote this wonderful trail that I've gotten so much use out of.