Around Istanbul
Belgrad Forest, Sarıyer, Şile in Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the world’s largest cities whose cultural heritage is unmatched. Its natural beauty offers the opportunity to trek and hike, and to get to know this immense, fascinating city better!
One of the best places to trek in İstanbul is Belgrad Forest. Spanning 5,300 hectares, Belgrad Forest offers a variety of short and long trails.
North of the city, in the districts of Şile, Sarıyer, and Arnavutköy, you’ll find a lot of small forests for walking in nature.
Uçmakdere, Tekirdağ
Ganos Mountains in Uçmakdere is a frequent destination for trekking lovers. Uçmakdere’s enjoyable earth roads and hillsides have fantastic views and plenty of oxygen to fill your lungs.
Uçmakdere is situated in the Sarköy district of Tekirdağ Province. Due to the trail’s slopes, it can be a bit strenuous, but the incredible views make it worthwhile.
On the way to Uçmakdere, make sure to pay notice to the wooden fishing shelters and fishing piers.
Cappadocia Valleys
Cappadocia is a unique place with its fairy chimneys and long history. It is also a trekking and hiking paradise by virtue of its unique landscape and abundance of historical sites. You can set up your tent in the designated areas, such as Panorama Camping.
The most popular trails are in Pigeon Valley, Love Valley, Rose and Red Valley, and Zemi Valley where you’ll come across Cappadocia’s famous fairy chimneys, rock churches, and stunning rock formations.
Ihlara Valley stands out as a rare haven of natural sights as churches and chapels, history, art, and culture. Here, trekking takes 5 hours to cover the 14 km valley that begins at the village of Ihlara and ends at Selime village. You can discover dozens of shelters, graves, and churches embedded in rocks. Some shelters and churches have underground access.
Lycian Way, Mugla & Antalya
The Lycian Way (Likya Yolu) is Turkey’s first long-distance hiking trail, a 500-kilometer trail from Fethiye in the eastern district of the city of Muğla to Antalya. It is the impressive achievement of Kate Clow, a resident of Turkey who is a British national, and her crew of dedicated trailblazers.
Surrounded by the landscapes of turquoise waters, the Lycian Way passes through the Taurus Mountains, offering many opportunities to observe the ruins of ancient cities. It is truly an unforgettable adventure for trekking lovers!
The trek is rated as moderately strenuous to difficult, with the easier portion being the one nearest to Fethiye and Ölüdeniz (literally “Dead Sea” in Turkish). Among the most popular parts are the westernmost section at Fethiye and Ölüdeniz, and southeastward toward Patara.
Paul Trail, Antalya & Isparta
St. Paul is credited with the spread of Christianity to Western Europe and this trail follows his journey to complete this mission.
The trail starts at Perge, which is close to Antalya Airport, and ends at Yalvaç, near Lake Eğirdir, in Isparta. Eğirdir is a major transport and accommodation hub along the route. The best seasons for enjoying this trail are spring and autumn.
On the way, you can find accommodation in village houses or small pensions. Along the longer stretches, you will have to set up your tent outdoors.
Lake Bafa and Latmos, Aydın & Mugla
Lake Bafa is partly within the district of Milas of Muğla Province and partly in the district of Söke in Aydın Province. And it is an ideal destination for those looking for day-long excursions.
You’ll find great paths at Lake Bafa with archaeological significance and beautiful scenery. If you are looking for a longer route, you can choose the Kral Yolu (King’s Way). The entire route takes approximately 14 hours.
The other route takes around 2.5 hours and begins at Kapıkırı village. The footpath winds up a hill, lined with ancient sites, towers, and walls.
Mount Ida, Canakkale & Balıkesir
Mount Ida (Kazdağları) National Park spans 21,000 hectares, stretching from Balıkesir to Çanakkale, and boasts many incredible and varied walking trails.
The trails promise fresh, oxygen-rich air, great views from high altitudes, and many local legends.
During your trekking adventure in Mount Ida National Park, you can set up a tent in camping sites, or stay at nearby lodgings and hotels.
Kaçkar Mountains, Eastern Black Sea
A fantastic and huge mountain range to walk across and explore, Kaçkar is located in Turkey’s beautiful Black Sea region famous for its alpine beauty. The Kaçkar Mountains are Turkey’s northeasternmost range with slopes plummeting into the Black Sea.
What would you say about walking among wildflowers and tall, imposing trees, and challenging yourself to reach the peak at around 4,000 m?
Aladağlar (Anti-Taurus Mountains), Niğde & Kayseri & Adana
The Aladağlar Mountain range (Anti-Taurus Mountains) stretches from the cities of Kayseri and Niğde to Adana and has plenty of amazing natural sites for you to discover on the way. The summit of the Aladağlar Mountains, favored during the summer, stands at 3,756 m. The mountain offers a variety of paths of different levels.
Not all the routes are forested; some parts are lined with alpine plants. You can set up your tent in the designated areas, such as Sokulupınar. There are also rafting and mountaineering options available.
