Trek Saklikent Gorge
Saklikent Gorge is a 17km-long canyon, with walls so steep that the sun never reaches the floor. If you can brave wading through the icy cold water at the start it is a pleasant walk through the canyon. Enterprising locals have set up a series of wooden platforms suspended just a foot or two above the bubbling snow-melt of the Xanthos River. Decked out with Turkish rugs and comfy cushions and shaded by fig trees, they serve freshly-caught trout, turkish pancakes and beer cooled by the ice-cold waters.
Saklikent (Hidden City) Gorge is the second-largest gorge in Europe and the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey, close to Olu Deniz. It is a spectacular place, with sculpted walls soaring high above. Four km. of the gorge is walkable after April when most of the snow from the Taurus Mountains has melted and passed through the gorge on its way to the Xanthos River. Summer is the best time to visit as the canyon is deliciously cool and shady with cold water. The gorge is open from the April 1 to September 30. Be sure to wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet or sports sandals as the rubber shoes available for rent at the river bar are not very comfortable. You may also want to bring a change of clothes with you in case you get wet.
Saklikent (Hidden City) Gorge is the second-largest gorge in Europe and the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey, close to Olu Deniz. It is a spectacular place, with sculpted walls soaring high above. Four km. of the gorge is walkable after April when most of the snow from the Taurus Mountains has melted and passed through the gorge on its way to the Xanthos River. Summer is the best time to visit as the canyon is deliciously cool and shady with cold water. The gorge is open from the April 1 to September 30. Be sure to wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet or sports sandals as the rubber shoes available for rent at the river bar are not very comfortable. You may also want to bring a change of clothes with you in case you get wet.
The entrance to the gorge is under the bridge over a large stream. A narrow walkway suspended from the rock wall will take you into the gorge. Once inside, you reach the Ulupinar springs where water bubbles up under great force from the base of the cliffs and you wade across the stream into the gorge proper to begin your walk.
Outside and inside the gorge locals have set up small restaurants with seating areas on wooden platforms suspended just above the rushing waters. These are a great place to relax upon Turkish rugs and cushions with a beer under shady trees. Among other things on the menu, they offer delicious fresh trout. Outside the gorge you will also find treehouse accommodation, small relaxed bars and river tubing. River tubing rides last from 45 minutes to about two hours, depending on which ride you join.
Outside and inside the gorge locals have set up small restaurants with seating areas on wooden platforms suspended just above the rushing waters. These are a great place to relax upon Turkish rugs and cushions with a beer under shady trees. Among other things on the menu, they offer delicious fresh trout. Outside the gorge you will also find treehouse accommodation, small relaxed bars and river tubing. River tubing rides last from 45 minutes to about two hours, depending on which ride you join.
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