On the
Mediterranean when you take the Alanya highway and drive to
Northeast of Antalya, at the turn off for Tasagil, is the scenic
route that leads to the Koprulu Canyon National Park. The
twisting road crisscrosses over mountain streams and passes
through Virgin forests. It is often a slow drive as the view at
every turn is more beautiful than the last. The park, 92 km from
Antalya, is the valley of wild beauty rich in flora and fauna. The
canyon stretches for 14 km along the Kopru River and is 400
meters deep in some places. The Roman Oluk Bridge, which
spans the canyon, and the Bugrum Bridge over the Kocadere stream,
are engineering feats of antiquity. From this park you can make
two possible excursions to the ancient city of Selge and to
the Dedegol Mountains. Dedegol, the highest peak in this mountain
range rises to 2,992 meters. An important city of ancient Pisidia,
Altinkaya (Selge), northwest of the Koprulu Canyon National Park,
is reached by a winding mountain road. Now Canyon is very popular
for white river Rafting area make is attractive by the tourists in
the Antalya Hotels, and everyday a thousands comes and have Boat
rafting tours in the Koprulu Canyon (Beskonak) on the
region.
MANAVGAT
WATER FALL
Manavgat
stream is rich in water at all seasons. On this stream there
is a splendid waterfall 4 km north of Manavgat town. The surroundings
of the waterfall have been landscaped so as to
serve as a recreational site with terraces, water-ways,
ponds, and cafes and teahouses
DAMS (Oymapinar and Manavgat Dam) On the Manavgat-Oymapinar
road, on the right hand side, you will meet the turn
signposted to the Manavgat Baraji (Dam). 3 km inside
this turn is the dam and reservoir lake of Manavgat.18 km from
Manavgat. The road passing alongside Oymapinar Koyu (village)
will shortly reach the entrance gate of the Oymapinar
Baraji (Dam). As a security precaution the visitors are
recorded and an identification document withheld until next.
ETENNA
31 km north
of Manavgat near Sirtkoy there is the ruins of the
ancient city of Etenna. It dates from the Hellenistic
period. You can have a bird's eye view of Etenna of the
Mediterranean, the Manavgat plains and Side.
SELGE
Selge was a
powerful city state in ancient times. It is quite difficult
to imagine, considering the present powerty of the
villagers, how a city prospered here which could support an
affluent population of 20000
KOPRULU
KANYON NATIONAL PARK
An area of
36 500 hectares has been proclaimed natural reserve in 1973,
which includes Koprulu Kanyon, Kopru Cayi/Stream and the
ruins of the ancient city of Selge.
The largest
cypress forest of the Middle East is here. This rich
vegetations supports naturally, quality a rich fauna.
Despite malpractices of hunting, wildlife in the region
thrives with such wild animals and birds as deer, ibex, fox,
wolf, marten, badger, partridge, woodcock and stock dove.
