Ida, or Kazdağı in Turkish as it is known today, is a place described by Homer in the epic Iliad as "the mother of wild animals with abundant springs", and is mentioned frequently throughout the epic. Here is the place where Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena competed in the famous beauty pageant that would lead to the Trojan War, where the gods watched the Trojan War, and where Aphrodite fell in love for the first time. Kazdağı, an oxygen paradise located within the borders of Çanakkale and Balıkesir today, is a legendary place that was important in mythology thousands of years ago as well as today.
Almost all of Kazdağı is covered with forests and there are not many settlements around the mountain range. The most well-known of them in the region, which is home to about 40 endemic plants, is the Kazdağı Fir (Equi-Trojani), which is also distinguished by its name.
There are dozens of hills and historical monuments to see at the foot of the mountains. Some of these are located in the Kazdağı National Park. In addition, a significant part of the mountain and its surrounding hiking trails are also within the boundaries of Kazdağı National Park. Daily excursions in the national park's dense forests, amidst indigenous plant species, are possible, as are encounters with animals in their natural habitat and the sounds of water pouring from the waterfall. In addition, you can stay on the adjacent camping grounds for a few days and go on a hiking excursion in Mount Ida.
The trail that leads to Sarıkız, the region's highest peak, may be the most challenging of Mount Ida's trekking trails. In fact, this trail is not recommended for those who will be hiking for the first time. The length of the route with plenty of climbing is about 30 kilometers and the route can be completed after an average of six hours of walking.
In addition to the route to Sarıkız Hill, Mount Ida has many shorter and less demanding hiking routes. You will find routes that appeal to nature enthusiasts of all levels to take a walk in the shadows of gigantic trees in one of Anatolia's most promising places in terms of oxygen!