Ağva-Kandıra-Kerpe-Kefken Weekend Route
A route covering Ağva, Sardala Bay, Kerpe, Kefken and Akçakoca Believe me, we don’t know why we postponed writing the weekend route for so long.. Although Kandıra is a district of Kocaeli, it is an unindustrialized place as in Kocaeli.. Therefore its nature is still intact. With its clear waters, silky beaches, coves and cliffs in summer, it is the center of attention of summer tourists, and its green forests that turn brown and orange in autumn and winter, with its winding forested mountain roads, become a favorite place for autumn lovers and photographers.. It is an unspoiled region that is not more famous than it can handle.
This is one of the most ideal routes you can take from Istanbul for a day trip or for a weekend with a 1-night stay.. Continue reading for this route where you can set off early in the morning, have a nice breakfast, pass through mountainous roads and charming villages, and experience complete purification
By the way, if you are looking for places to camp in Kocaeli, “Kocaeli Special Our “Campground Guide” article is for you. You can click here to read.
Before going into the details of the places we marked on the map, let’s talk about the most suitable season for this route.. In our opinion, the most ideal period is Spring; April, May are the best months when you will not be affected by both the increasing crowds in summer and the negative road conditions you may encounter in winter.. Of course, if you have a 4X4 vehicle, traveling this route in autumn and witnessing the visual feast of nature will also create a very pleasant privilege.
Now, let’s briefly go over all the points on the map..
Ağva: Ağva is a place full of cute cafes and boutique hotels where you can have breakfast by the Göksu River.. Accommodation in boutique hotels is a bit expensive, but you should definitely consider it for breakfast or brunch, as it is close enough for a daily commute.. If you have a vehicle, you can also take short walks by the sea in Şile coast and Ağva centre, or trekking in the lap of nature in the more mountainous parts.
Those who want to go hiking in Şile can explore alternative routes and the charming villages of Şile. They can click here to read our article “Şile Hiking Trails” that we have put together..
Sardala Bay: It is called Turkey’s Phuket.
Sardala Bay is located 110 kilometers from Istanbul and approximately 10 kilometers from Ağva.. It is a very untouched and quiet place except in the summer months.. Ideal for camping, especially in Spring or early Autumn. On the way from Ağva to Kerpe, after passing Pınarlı Village, you will travel for about 4 km and after 1 km further from the road that enters the forest, you will reach this cove in Çalköy, Kocaeli.. Keep in mind that the roads will not be easy for those who do not have a 4X4 vehicle in winter.
Bağırganlı Village: This is a beautiful, cozy place located approximately 13 km from the town center of Kandıra.. Especially in summer or spring, you can spend a peaceful and quiet weekend in the bays and beaches in Bağırganlı, surrounded by greenery, because with the fall, the weather starts to get colder here, too.
Sarısu: It is a place of unique beauty, 8 km from the town center of Kandıra, 1 km from the Black Sea coast, and forests that contain every shade of green.. Reminiscent of a hidden paradise with its magnificent beauty, Sarısu Town got its name from the Sarısu Stream flowing through it.. This is an ideal place for swimming, camping, sunbathing and fishing.
If you have been wondering where to stay until this point; On the way from Ağva to Kerpe, seafront camping areas such as Tuzukurukamp in Sardala Bay, Nature Tent Camp around Kandıra, Omerağzı Camp, and Sarısu Youth Camp are ideal for those who want to pitch a tent.
Details about camp sites You can reach our “Kocaeli Campground Guide” article by clicking here.
Kerpe:
. Located in Kerpe, the bay with its clean sea waters is fascinating with its wave-free view and clear water.. There are many pensions, cafes and restaurants lined up one after another on the Kerpe coast.. The region, which is full especially in summer, is quite calm in autumn and winter, even almost deserted.. But it still promises peace and plenty of rest to those who come. You can go up Babadağı, the highest point of Kerpe, with an altitude of about 400 meters, and watch the Kerpe view from a bird’s eye view.
Kerpe Eagle Cliffs: Kerpe is located on the coastline of the fierce waves of the Black Sea. It also attracts tourists with its interestingly shaped cliffs that were formed over thousands of years by the erosion of winds and winds.. The most interesting cliff formation of the region called Kartal Rocks is one of the most curious places with Kerpe Castle right next to it.. You can also do quieter activities such as fishing or watching the sun rise and set in Kartal Rocks, which has become a frequent destination for adrenaline enthusiasts, especially in summer. 🙂
Kumcagiz Beach: Kerpe in Kandıra district Kumcagiz Beach, which is a 10-minute walk from the city center, is a beach with a clean sea and fine sand.. In the middle of the 15 km long beach, the Kumcagiz Stream, which divides the beach in half, flows.. Fishing is possible in the part of the creek behind the beach.. Announced to those who are curious
In Kerpe, especially in summer, Green Bay, Kapri Beach, Mudye Bay are other places where you can swim.
Kefken is one of the most lively coastal towns like Kerpe in summer and quiet-quiet in autumn and winter.. If you are going to Kefken in the summer, you can swim and camp a lot.. Those who will go in cold weather can take a lot of nature walks and thus liberate their souls trapped in the plazas.
Kefken Island: Kefken Island is 5 minutes away by boat from Cebeci Beach.. Kefken Island has been accepted as a protected area due to the historical remains here.. The island is closed to visitors because it is a protected area.. It is said that there are a 14-meter-long historical lighthouse, a historical castle from the Genoese and water wells on the island.. Since we did not go, we are only sharing our feelings here.
Cebeci Beach: One of the cleanest beaches where you can enjoy the sea. Since Kerpe-Kefken beaches are blue flagged, this is not very interesting information.. In Cebeci, Kefken is one of the places to visit for swimming or taking long walks outside of the sea season.
Pink Rocks: Pink Rocks may be the most natural and beautiful place in the region also. It creates a magnificent view with the sunlight hitting the pink rocks on the beach.. In addition, another feature of this place is that while the rocks are soft in the water, they harden after a while after getting out of the water.. This region, which is quite windy, is full of people who jump off the rocks and swim in the sea in the summer, and those who fish in the winter and are fascinated by the scenery.. It is definitely one of the natural beauties that must be visited and seen.
Those who set out for a day trip after this point of the route can return to their homes, but those who are not satisfied with what they see can continue on their way to Sakarya and then Akçakoca..
Sakarya Continue towards Karasu and see the Acarlar Floods and Maden Creek are among the places we recommend you to see.
You can read the details of this article in our Sakarya Walking Routes article by clicking here.
Places to visit in Akçakoca, which we recommend as the last stop; Dadalı Village, Fakıllı Cave, Genoese Castle, Hemşin Village, Aktaş Waterfall.
You can also click here for our article about the places to see in Akçakoca..
We wish you a pleasant and pleasant trip in advance..
