3-Day Taurus Mountains Exploration Route

Rock climbing, cave exploration, and being one with nature are always beautiful activities. If you’re well-versed in climbing and want to try a unique location in the world, go on the Taurus Mountains trip.

The Taurus Mountains are a mountain ranges that start in Muğla and end in Adana; these mountains are a natural border between Central Anatolia and the Mediterranean Coast. Their natural properties are volcanic and metamorphic rocks.

The mountains are also home to many endemic plants and animals. It’s also possible for you to see a mountain goat, a boar, and a variety of birds on the way.

Let’s go on a mountain adventure together and discover the magnificent nature of the Taurus Mountains.

8 Points

800 km

15 h

3-Day Taurus Mountains Exploration Route box

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3-day adventure and discovery route in the unique nature of the Taurus Mountains: plateaus and hikes all together.

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Day 1: Aladağlar National Park and Emler Peak

Start your three-day trip in the Taurus Mountains in Aladağlar National Park. This park is one of the most popular destinations for rock climbing. To reach the area, you will need a 4x4 off-road vehicle. The national park has various trekking routes you can experience, and the beautiful Mediterranean nature of the area will mesmerise you.

During your trekking adventure, you can come across the Hacer Forest. Hacer Forest has an area of 2750 hectares in which you will see fir, oak, cedar, juniper, hornbeam, aspen, poplar and larch trees. The abundance of trees is a charming feature of the Aladağlar region. For the ones who want to reach the peak, Emler Peak is easily accessible during the summer. When you reach the highest place, you will be at 3650 metres above sea level.

Height lovers should enjoy the grace of Emler Peak. Nature will move you to eat more, drink more and sleep more, probably, so make sure you have your groceries and water with you. For sleeping, you can spend the night at a nearby camping facility, as there are many available in the area. There are many other national parks in Türkiye where you can be one with nature.

Day 2: Yedigöller Hike and Camping Areas

Start your morning in Aladağlar National Park; this enormous park still has more to offer. Turn your direction toward Yedigöller Plateau, on the border of Yahyalı district of Kayseri, the plateau showcases tens of lakes with the melting snow water.

Especially in July, with the heat, the number of lakes reaches 80. In time, these lakes may evaporate, but 7 of the lakes never do; therefore, the name Seven Lakes. This area also showcases a gorgeous waterfall called Kapuz Başı. Because of the physical qualities it has, Yedigöller Plateau is one of the most important trekking places in Türkiye. With the 3100 metres altitude the area spreads through Hacer Forest to Kapuzbaşı waterfall.

You can enjoy a beautiful picnic near the lakes, relax and listen to the melody of nature. If you carry your camping gear with you, you can camp near the water. If not, prepare to get back on the road because tomorrow, it’s Taşeli Plateau day.

Day 3: Taşeli Plateau

The Taşeli Plateau spreads through Antalya and Mersin, and it's a karst plateau shaped by the Ermenek Stream. Imagine water cutting through the ground and creating beautiful shapes; that is the Taşeli Plateau. This plateau features the deepest cave of Türkiye and the world’s 18th deepest cave: Peynirlikönü Düdeni.

For those who are enthusiastic about cave discoveries, Peynirlikönü Düdeni was actually discovered by young cave enthusiasts of an elite Turkish university. This cave has a depth of 1429 metres and a height of 3118 metres.

As you conclude your Taurus Mountains route, here near the deepest cave in Türkiye, take a moment to reflect on the past three days and the amount of excitement and exploration you experienced. This is what Türkiye offers every time: fun, excitement and discovery. While your journey ends here, there are many to come.