A more detailed version of my article published in Hürriyet Seyahat
sluggish on the golden beach While sunbathing on the beach, we suddenly come to life with Şahindere Canyon, which we came across with a friend and got his advice.. Şahindere Canyon was the chimney of Kaz Mountains and Şahindere Canyon had ice-cold water.. We decided to go the next day when we were very curious. Update: I went back to Şahindere Canyon 3 years later. This time to cross the canyon. You can read how we passed Şahindere Canyon here..
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Transportation to Şahindere Canyon
Şahindere Canyon entrance
Early in the morning, we go to Altınoluk village, find a place with a view of Edremit Bay and have breakfast with wonderful pancakes.. Then we are on the way to the canyon. When you enter from the right of Altınoluk Yapı Kredi bank, the road takes you. Houses and sites have been set up very close to the canyon.. Even people take their morning walks towards the canyon.. We are winding our way through the olive trees. It’s not so hard to find the way. We pay a very small amount, park our car and start walking..
Şahindere Canyon Chimney of Kaz Mountains
The canyon, which is in Kaz Mountains National Park, is 26 km long. Normally, walking in the canyon without permission is dangerous and forbidden. Those who do not know the region can easily get lost in the canyon.. You don’t need a guide to walk up to the waterfall. There are no wooden walkways like other canyons. Ida Mountains, one of the richest places in the world in terms of oxygen concentration, owes this to its canyons.. Most of all, Şahindere canyon acts as a chimney.. It carries the iodine it takes from the sea to the top of the mountain, and brings the mountain air from the slopes to the beach.. Thus, a large oxygen tent is formed in the region.
Due to these features, there are around 800 plant species that are endemic.. There are many medicinal herbs in Şahindere canyon, but it is forbidden to collect them.. If you are curious you can only take pictures. We move forward by inhaling the beautiful air into our lungs, passing through magnificent landscapes, jumping into the water from time to time in ice-cold waters and taking pictures..
You don’t have to go into the water if you want to. Just roll up your legs up to your knee. If you like to go into the water like me, you should definitely have your swimsuit, towel and shoes suitable for walking in the creek. It would be a difficult hike with slippers.
There’s Nothing Like Swimming in Şahindere Canyon
I jump into the water with my clothes as I always do at the waterfall and lake. It is forbidden to light a fire here, but you can have a picnic.. There are picnic tables at the first entrance but not as you progress.. Please do not leave trash. We walk up to the waterfall, which is allowed in half an hour.. It’s impossible not to throw yourself into the water here.. This is not a color given by colored tiles like in pools.. We are in the bosom of nature and everything is a masterpiece of nature.
The canyon, which has a lime-free water, fascinates us with its deep blue and ice-cold water.. If I said waterfall, don’t think of a very majestic water pouring from above.. It cascades from a small place, but the pond that forms where it spills is a really great place both for its scenery and for swimming.
This place, surrounded by rocky and lush forests, is quite large.. There are places where you can warm up in the sun when you get cold in the icy water of the canyon.. It’s time to say goodbye to the oxygen of the Kaz Mountains, to the icy waters of Şahinderesi canyon, to the fusion of blue and green.. It is a place where you can spend the whole day or wander around in a few hours.. On the way from Altınoluk to Akçay, on the way to Altınoluk exit, take a good look at the mountains on your left.. It is not obvious from the outside, but there is a hidden paradise inside.
What I remember: No garbage, the canyon’s icy blue water, waterfall, lush trees and interesting roots
