Saklikent
Saklikent, meaning "hidden city" in Turkish, is around 50km from Fethiye in the Mugla province, and just a 20-30 minute drive from Kalkan. It is 18km long and 300m deep; one of the deepest canyons in the world. It was opened to the public as a national park in 1996 and it has since proven very popular with tourists. There is a small entrance fee per person, though this is normally included in the price you pay if you book it as a tour.
You can visit all year round, though between November and March, the water can get very high, so you would not be able to gain entry to walk through.
From April onwards, when most of the snow from the Taurus Mountains has melted and passed through the gorge, around 4km of the gorge is usually walkable.
When you walk over the bridge to the entrance, the first thing that strikes you is the huge, 10 metre crevice in the rock. Then the vast sculpted walls towering high above and the sound of water rushing through the ravines. There is just one obstacle before you can walk through the gorge, and that is crossing the river.
The fresh mountain water is notably cold and is often up to waist height over this 6-8 metre stretch of river, so be sure to wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.
The water is very shallow in parts but deeper in others (not normally above the knee), depending on what time of year you visit. The gorge walls create all sorts of shapes as you look ahead of you, and if you have a camera, you will find plenty of photo opportunities on the way through. After you have walked for around 40 minutes, you will come to a waterfall, and if you want to go on further, prepare to get wet again!
There is also a swimming pool which is filled with river water (filtered first), this is a welcome respite from the heat of the summer and great for the children if you have some spare time.
River Rafting
For the more adventurous types, you can set off down the river in a ring raft. They equip you with a large inflatable ring with handles and a paddle.
Ensure you wear something you don't mind getting wet. With the longer route there is also an option to have a mud bath at the end so bear this in mind!
After a quick lesson by the river, each person gets into their ring, the gentle rapids sweep you away and off you go.
The water is usually only about knee height although the current can be quite strong.
The gentle rapids carry you down stream for about 30-40 minutes and you are accompanied by experienced guides along the way;-
so if you get stuck there is always someone to help and point you in the right direction!
