Location: 30 km (18 mi) East of Fethiye, Antalya Province Map
Length: 18 km (11 mi)
Saklıkent National Park, or commonly known as Saklıkent Canyon, is the canyon formed by Karaçay, a branch of Eşen Stream that draws the Antalya-Muğla border. It is within the borders of Seydikemer district of Muğla. A steep and deep canyon was formed on the calcareous land, which can be easily eroded by water, with the help of fault cracks. Its length is 18 km and its height is 200 m. Its narrowest point drops to 2 meters. The flow rate of Karaçay, a branch of Eşen Stream, is 14–17 m³/sec at the Canyon exit.
The surroundings of the canyon were declared "Saklıkent National
Park" and protected in the Official Gazette dated June 6, 1996.
There are three villages each of Kaş and Seydikemer in the national
park area of 12,390 hectares.
It is a geomorphological
formation formed by Karaçay, a tributary of Eşen Stream, on Akdağ.
There are plateau settlements on the Taurus Mountains. Ski
facilities are available. Since the bottom of the canyon is filled
with violently flowing water, it is impossible to pass through the
water. The entrance can be made via a 200-meter wooden bridge
attached to the steep slopes of the canyon with iron rods. After the
bridge, there are cold and powerful karst springs. 180-210 thousand
tourists come annually.
The land where the canyon is formed consists of limestone masses. A steep and deep canyon was formed in the calcareous land, which can be easily eroded by water, with the help of fault cracks. Its length is 18 km and its height is 200 m. Its narrowest point drops to 2 meters. The altitude of the land where the canyon is located is over 1000 meters.
The discovery of the canyon dates back to a very recent date. According to rumors, the canyon, which was discovered by a shepherd after his goat that had escaped here, became a matter of curiosity in the surrounding settlements. Following the shepherd's notification, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry declared Saklıkent a National Park, and later, with the support of private companies, Saklıkent took its current form.
The plants in the national park area are listed as follows according to their temperature requirements: maquis at lower altitudes, red pines, black pines and cedar trees towards higher elevations. Red pine trees are common at the entrance of the canyon. Black pines are seen above 1000 meters. Cedars, which are monumental trees in high areas on Dumanlıdağ, create interesting visuals. The southeast of Aktar plateau is the area where some bulbous plants such as Cyclamen grow endemic.
It is a picnic area for Fethiye residents in summer. It is visited by local and foreign tourists. Saklıkent ski resort on Bakırlıdağ, located at the peaks of the Taurus Mountains, can be used for 2-3 months. You can walk in areas of the canyon that are not blocked by water. In areas where walking is difficult, suspension bridges fixed to the canyon wall are used.
Seydikemer can be reached via Antalya, Burdur, Muğla. The distance to the national park Antalya is 50 km. Saklıkent, located next to the Kayadibi neighborhood, 45 km away from Fethiye, can be reached. Minibuses depart from Fethiye to Saklıkent. It can be reached from the south, via Palamut neighborhood, from the Yeşilova-Kalkan junction. It can be reached from the north via Burdur.