The district of Domaniç is named for its geographical location and landforms; the word refers to a protruding and bumpy hill or mountain. The Ottoman Migration Road Ecotourism Route in Domaniç, Kütahya, passes through these jagged hills and mountain roads, stretching from Alagöz to Gürgenyayla.
The Ottoman Migration Road Ecotourism Route is rich in ecotourism activities such as trekking, trail tracking, botanical tourism, mountain and nature trips and bird watching.
In addition, this Ecotourism Route offers visitors unparalleled experiences in terms of biological diversity, historical and cultural values, and panoramic views. With the opportunity to explore natural beauties, the Route beckons nature lovers – and is especially welcoming to urban dwellers seeking a break from the stress of city life and the work rush.
The Ecotourism Route includes the historical highland migration routes between Domaniç and Söğüt; the area was settled in the 13th century by the Kayı tribe, of which Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, was a member.
The highland migration of the Kayı began in spring. Generally, the tribe would leave Söğüt in the first week of May for the highland of Domaniç and return to their winter quarters in Söğüt starting around the first week of September.
The Route includes historical migration routes and places. Starting from Tomb of Hayme Ana, the mother of Ertuğrul Gazi, in the village of Çarşamba, the Ecotourism Route ends at Çukurca Pond, which is the border of Domaniç (Kütahya) - Bozüyük (Bilecik) in the direction of Söğüt.
The total length of the Route is 6,736 meters; 2,968 meters of these roads feature hiking and cycling paths, while the remaining segment is the 3,768-meter-long Uluyol. A fifth track is 11,170 meters in length; it is used only as a pedestrian path due to the steepness of the road.
Summers in Domaniç are generally hot and dry, and winters are cold and rainy. Along the Route, hikers can see vegetation and trees such as larch, beech, oak, walnut, juniper, plum, hawthorn, oleaster-leafed pear, European aspen, willow, hornbeam, cotoneaster, etc. The Route is also home to a wide variety of animal species.
Among the must-visit points on the Ottoman Migration Road Ecotourism Route are the Karagöl Plateau, the Kızılsaray Plateau, Ilıcaksu, the Selim Ata Tomb, the Berçin Tower House, and the Hayme Ana Tomb.