Canyons
|
|
|
Köprülü Canyon
|
A jury of the daily Hurriyet newspaper composed of nature photographers, travel writers and lovers of nature sports chose the best ten canyons in Turkey.
Valla Kanyonu
Valla Canyon is located in Muratbaşı village in Kastamonu-Pınarbaşı and is 450
kilometers away from Istanbul and 270 from Ankara. It begins where Devrekani
and Kanlıçay (Bloody stream) meet and continues towards Cide for 12 kilometers.
The entrance to the canyon is an extremely difficult route, and the canyon walls
are 800-1200 meters high. Valla is in the boundaries of the National Park and
is open to tourism; however, there are no facilities. The natural beauty and
the fall are stunning. The steep rocks of the canyon nestle various kinds of
wild birds such as eagles, vultures, hawks and falcons. Equipment and a guide
are required to pass through Valla Canyon.
KöprülüKanyon
KöprülüCanyon is just next to the ancient city of Selge in Taşağıl, which is
located 63 kilometers northeast of Manavgat and 85 kilometers away from downtown
Antalya. The canyon is 14 kilometers long and 300 meters deep. Only private
vehicles can reach the canyon. There is only one small resting facility and
a pension with a capacity of 40 people. The flora is composed of Akdeniz cypress
(Mediterranean cypress), which is grown only in the Mediterranean region, oleander,
wild rose, sytrax and blackberry. Foxes, wolves, wild goats, beavers, partridges,
woodcocks, turtle doves, badgers, eagles and hawks are among the animals living
nearby. It is a well-known rafting and trekking center.
Karacehennem (Black Hell) Pass
Karacehennem Valley, which is located in Belören village in Kastamonu-Küre,
is 500 meters high and has two sections. The first one is 2 km long and is called
Ersizlerdere Canyon, while the other one is the 3 km long Karacehennem pass.
Despite its thousands of years of history, there are no resting facilities at
Karacehennem except a café 500 meters away from the main road. Karacehennem
is 550 and 300 kilometers away from Istanbul and Ankara respectively. The stunning
area is covered with green flora and made of hills and mountains. Wild boars,
bears and rabbits are among the wild animals in the environment. Those who have
the essential equipment can do nature sports there.
Eşen Creek Canyon
Eşen Creek (Eşen Çayı) is located to the north of Akdağlar - Antalya and flows
into the Mediterranean Sea, forming Saklıkent Canyon and Eşen Delta with its
tributaries. The creek is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and is a preferred
area for canoeing. The canoes navigate a 15-kilometer-long route and reach Patara
beach. There is a break for a "mud bath" on the route. Please keep
in mind that you should dive into the ice-cold water of Eşen Creek in order
to get rid of the mud.
Çoruh Valley
Çoruh River reaches the Black Sea at Batum in Georgia and covers a 460-kilometer-long
area from Ispir-Erzurum to the Yusufeli ditrict of Artvin. It is possible to
reach any point of Çoruh Valley via the minibuses running between Artvin-Yusufeli
and Yusufeli-Erzurum. There are pensions and small hotels for accommodation.
The steep rocks lying along the river and forming canyons in certain points
are bejeweled with stone and hanging bridges. The wooden houses peculiar to
the region add beauty to the valley. Barhal Creek in Yusufeli is among the most
preferred rafting routes in Turkey.
Saklıkent
Saklıkent Canyon is in Fethiye-Kayaköy and is 18 kilometers long and 300 meters
deep. It is among the canyons that attract the most attention of tourists. Approximately
200 - 300 thousand people visit the canyon every year. There are sixteen caves
from Roman times, and it was used for shelter 2000-3000 years ago. Saklıkent
Canyon National Park has steep slopes. The flora is composed of red and black
pines and cedar. There are tree-houses and motels for accommodation, and restaurants
are available. The canyon is suitable for rafting and trekking.
Güver Canyon
Güver Cliff Canyon is located near Düzlerçamı Park, 20 kilometers north of Antalya.
The canyon is 2 kilometers long, 30 meters wide and 115 meters deep. There is
no accommodation, but one may use the Düzlerçamı picnic area. The flora is composed
of shrubs, oaks, juniper and gum. Deer, goats, foxes, wolves, eagles and turtle
doves are among the animals and birds in the park. It is suitable for trekking.
Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley in Cappadocia is the canyon formed by the Melendiz stream, which
has cut its way through the rocks. You can reach this 14-kilometer long valley
by the dolmuş departing from Aksaray. Ihlara Valley is near Mt. Hasan and is
made up of volcanic layers caused by volcanic eruptions. There are countless
shelters, tombs and churches starting from Ihlara district as far as Selime
district. Some shelters and churches are connected to each other with tunnels,
as in the underground cities. Some of the 105 churches are open to visitors.
Lamas Canyon
Lamas Canyon is located in Mersin-Erdemli. It is a 114-kilometer-long valley
formed by the Limonlu creek, whose source is in the Taurus mountains. The canyon
walls are 200 meters high. A pathway lies along the canyon and allows visitors
to swim in the creek. The historical places and fruit gardens around the canyon
are among the indispensable places for trekking groups and campers.
Göksu Canyon
Göksu River in Mersin, which begins in the Taurus mountains, is ideal for rafting
and canoeing. The river is 260 kilometers long and as soon as the Göksu passes
Mut, it enters a canyon with 100-meter-high walls. It usually flows slowly and
as such is suitable for rafting beginners.
Also See:
Latest comments about this article
By
ianhanley 25.7.2006
Turkey is blessed with some dramatic yet accessible natural features. However, tourists are often welcomed by piles of discarded rubbish left by inconsiderate visitors to these places and there seems to be no one employed to take an interest in this problem. Last year I was disgusted and totally embarrassed at the state of Koprulu canyon. My American friend´s comment was ”Come to Turkey and see our rubbish”. On Patara beach and on Chirola beach I have seen Turkish families walk away from a picnic and just leave plastic bags full of rubbish. the worst place I´ve seen is Kizilcahamam , where you can´t move for broken bottles, plastic bags full of beer cans and old water bottles and Alanya´s famous Cleopatra beach is a carpet of cigarette ends. There are places that are lovely and unspoiled but, Turkey is far behind Spain and Greece for example when it comes to looking after its beauty.
Somebody with a bit of authority, Please take an interest in more than just tourism statistics.. Start fining people on the spot a hundred euros for littering...European countries don´t put up with this. Please don´t let this fall on deaf ears.
Would you like to add your comment about this article? Click here!
Editor's Picks
Çiçekli Bahçe Motel Meral Ustün’s vacation at Çiçekli Bahçe Motel, Kücükkuyu more...
Jews in Turkey Turkish Jews are legally represented, as they have been for many centuries, by the Hahambaşı, the Chief Rabbi. more...
Private Universities Some information on Private Universities in Istanbul and Ankara together with their addresses. more...
Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar The Spice Market is teeming with customers, shopkeepers, and porters amidst a dizzying array of colors and aromas. more...
Haydarpaşa Train Station The beginning point of the Anatolian railways! It is the most important station building in Turkey on both architectural and historical characteristics. more...
Sakıp Sabancı Sakıp Sabancı was among the most colorful personalities in the Turkish business world. more...
 |
Latest Articles |
Akbank Jazz Festival
Disney on Ice
Cappadocia - Once Again
Ikuo Hirayama & Japan Festival
Change to Turkish Visa Procedure
Istanbul Recitals
Bodrum Ballet Festival
Hussein Chalayan Exhibit
Classical Music at Gumusluk Eklisia
