Around Antalya, there are canyons for a full day in the mountains, gorges with water where you can swim, and waterfalls within the city itself. This article brings together places we have visited ourselves and others worth seeing along the way, as well as safety rules around water and cliffs.
Canyons on Our Routes
Güver Canyon
Güver is one of the easiest canyon routes in our collection: the trails follow an almost level plateau. You can walk along one side of the canyon or combine both sides; our usual tracks are 8–15 km long with 180–350 m of elevation gain. On one track, there is a dry waterfall right beside the trail. Approaching its edge is dangerous: the channel ends at a cliff more than 20 meters high. A separate, difficult combination descends to Kapuz and the mountain jacuzzi.
Kapuz Canyon and the Mountain Jacuzzi
A canyon near Güver and stone pools filled with water that we call the mountain jacuzzi. This is our summer route: the short outing to the water is 5–6 km, while the long route through the canyon is 14 km with 615 m of elevation gain. Güver and Kapuz can be combined in one day, resulting in a route of 17 km with 650 m of gain.
Göynük
A very easy walk along the canyon’s wide mountain road is 5–6 km long if you drive to the entrance. From the highway, where dolmuşes between Antalya and Kemer stop, add 3.5–4 km in each direction. Two mountain sections of the Lycian Way meet in the canyon. The 12 km descent from above already requires good preparation and return transport arranged in advance.
Tazı and Köprülü
Tazı attracts visitors with its panorama of the gorge from the high rim. You can walk there from Selge: 12 km with 690 m of elevation gain. Gusts of wind, crumbling ground, and crowds at the viewpoint are dangerous near the cliff, so stay well away from the edge and wait for the viewing area to clear.
Farther downstream lies Köprülü Canyon, with its river, ancient bridges, and rafting. Book a trip with a licensed operator and ask about equipment, insurance, and age restrictions in advance. The river carries more water in spring, and conditions must be assessed on the day of the trip.
Saklıkent
A narrow gorge with cold water in the western part of the region, near Fethiye and Kaş. The journey from Antalya takes almost the whole day, so it is more convenient to combine Saklıkent with a trip to Kaş and an overnight stay.
Waterfalls in the City
Lower and Upper Düden
Lower Düden is easy to include in a walk through the city. The water falls from a cliff directly into the sea, and paths through the park lead to several viewpoints. The flow is especially powerful after heavy rain. Spray makes the stones slippery, so you must not go beyond the barriers.
Upper Düden is in a green area with paths and small caves behind the flow. It is cooler here than on the exposed waterfront. It can be crowded on weekends and is quieter in the morning.
Kurşunlu
The cascades of Kurşunlu are hidden in a pine forest. Short trails follow footbridges and small lakes. Water levels depend on the season: the cascades may have little water in summer, turning the trip into a forest walk. Steps are slippery after rain, and there are many insects by the water in summer.
Farther East: Manavgat and Sapadere
Manavgat Waterfall is located in the city of the same name on the road to Side. Sapadere Canyon lies even farther east, closer to Alanya: wooden walkways lead into the gorge, where the water is cold even in summer. The journey there takes most of the day, so it is convenient to combine Sapadere with an overnight stay on the eastern coast. Compare the travel time with how long you want to spend by the water.
Safety in Canyons
Narrow canyons and dry channels can turn into a torrent within minutes after a downpour. Rain upstream changes the conditions even if the sun is shining over the trailhead. Do not enter a canyon when thunderstorms are forecast.
- Check the forecast for both the upper part of the gorge and the trailhead.
- Bring footwear with good traction: wet limestone is very slippery.
- Put your phone and documents in a waterproof bag and bring a dry layer of clothing.
- Do not jump into the water from rocks: the depth and underwater rocks cannot be seen from the shore.
- Leave your route and return time with family or friends: there is often no reception in canyons.
- Take your trash with you and do not use soap near the water.
The sound of a waterfall drowns out voices, so a group should agree on a meeting point in advance. Keep children close. It is best to take photographs from stable ground without stepping backward toward the water or the edge of a cliff.
When to Go
Canyons with swimming, Kapuz and Göynük, are good in summer when the city is hot. Güver and the exposed rim of Tazı are more comfortable from autumn through spring. Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls carry more water in winter and spring, after rain. In summer, bring a water supply into any canyon: there is usually nowhere to refill it along the way.
