Saklıkent National Park (), established on June 6, 1996, is a
national park
A national park is a nature park designated for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes because of unparalleled national natural, historic, or cultural significance. It is an area of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that is protecte ...
in southwestern Turkey. The national park is a
canyon
A canyon (; archaic British English spelling: ''cañon''), gorge or chasm, is a deep cleft between escarpments or cliffs resulting from weathering and the erosive activity of a river over geologic time scales. Rivers have a natural tendency t ...
, and is located in
Muğla Province
Muğla Province (, ) is a Provinces of Turkey, province and Metropolitan municipalities in Turkey, metropolitan municipality of Turkey, at the country's southwestern corner, on the Aegean Sea. Its area is 12,654 km2, and its population is 1 ...
, at
Seydikemer
Seydikemer is a municipality and district of Muğla Province, Turkey. Its area is 2,208 km2, and its population is 62,622 (2022).
The district and municipality Seydikemer was created at the 2013 Turkish local government reorganisation from pa ...
, away from
Fethiye
Fethiye () is a municipality and Districts of Turkey, district of Muğla Province, Turkey. Its area is 875 km2, and its population is 177,702 (2022). It is one of the prominent tourist destinations in the Turkish Riviera. It was formerly k ...
. The Canyon is 65 km from Kaş in the Antalya province.
The canyon is deep and long, making it one of the deepest in the world. It was formed through abrasion of the rocks by flowing waters over thousands of years. As the water level rises during the winter months, while visitors can enter the canyon all year around, the deeper parts are accessible only in the summer. of the canyon are walkable after April, when most of the snow in the
Taurus Mountains
The Taurus Mountains (Turkish language, Turkish: ''Toros Dağları'' or ''Toroslar,'' Greek language, Greek'':'' Ταύρος) are a mountain range, mountain complex in southern Turkey, separating the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean coastal reg ...
has melted and passed through on its way to the
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea ( ) is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia, on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern Eur ...
. Saklıkent means "hidden city" in
Turkish.
The full length of 16 km is only possible to discover with professional equipment and knowledge of advanced canyoning. Some adventure centers offer guided tours with an overnight Biwak camp and about 30 waterfalls to rappel.
People from local resorts such as
Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz (literally "Dead Sea", due to its calm waters even during storms; official translation: Blue Lagoon) is a town of the municipality and district of Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey. Its population is 6,132 (2022). Before the 2013 Turkish ...
and
Fethiye
Fethiye () is a municipality and Districts of Turkey, district of Muğla Province, Turkey. Its area is 875 km2, and its population is 177,702 (2022). It is one of the prominent tourist destinations in the Turkish Riviera. It was formerly k ...
often take a
Jeep Safari tour offered by local travel agents, which includes
Waterfights en route and stops at other local businesses and establishments. Local people often take the
Dolmuş
In Turkey and Northern Cyprus, a () is a share taxi that runs set routes within and between cities.
Background
The name is derived from Turkish language, Turkish for "seemingly stuffed", in reference to how the vehicles were often filled to the ...
as it's a cheaper alternative and provides you with more freedom.
In 2024, a new wooden bridge was built across the waterway.
Gallery
File:SAKLIKENT_-_panoramio_-_HALUK_COMERTEL_(1).jpg
File:SAKLIKENT_-_panoramio_-_HALUK_COMERTEL.jpg
File:SAKLIKENT_-_panoramio.jpg
File:Saklikent_gorge_rock.JPG
File:Saklıkent_Kanyon.jpg
File:Saklıkent_Kanyonu_Kayaları.jpg
File:SAKLIKENT-TURKEY_-_panoramio.jpg
External links
Saklıkent Canyon Photos on Flickr
National parks of Turkey
Canyons and gorges of Turkey
Geography of Muğla Province
Landforms of Muğla Province
Tourist attractions in Muğla Province
Fethiye
1996 establishments in Turkey
Protected areas established in 1996
{{Muğla-geo-stub