Mountain climbing is not only a sport but also a great challenge! If you’ve prepared your mind for this challenging adventure in which you progress step by step towards your goal, now is the time to choose your destination!
The harder it is to achieve a goal, the greater the feeling of accomplishment you’ll experience in the end. Those who love extreme sports cannot give up adrenaline for this very reason. If you are researching climbing routes, you must have tried it before and want to do it again as soon as possible. We are here with a guide to rock-climbing routes in Türkiye. Make a coffee, sit back, and stretch out your legs as we explore the safest and most exciting routes!
Kaçkarlar, Rize
There is a special reason why we started our list of climbing routes in Türkiye with Kaçkarlar. Undoubtedly there is a feeling of satisfaction as you take in the beautiful view when approaching the summit of any mountain. However, when it comes to Rize, this region offers a completely different kind of beauty all along the climb with rich vegetation in every shade of green, tranquil streams, and azure lakes. In Kaçkarlar, which attracts visitors from all over the world, climbing is usually done in groups.
The 3,480 metre Altıparmak and the 3,932 metre Kavran are the highest peaks in this region and both offer places suitable for glacier climbing. However, do not be confused by the fact that we call it a glacier, it is not possible to climb in the winter months. In addition, when a certain point of the mountain is reached, the geography changes and becomes very rocky. It is not possible to pass beyond this point without a hiking staff. For this reason, it is very, very important that you prepare yourself with equipment suitable for the challenging terrain of the region.
Kaynaklar, İzmir
You may be thinking, “I am new to extreme sports; the challenging routes aren’t for me”. If that is the case, Kaynaklar might be right for you. There are more than 200 climbing spots in Kaynaklar which is in the Buca district of İzmir. There are many different climbs for beginners as well as advanced to difficult options for experienced climbers.
These courses are within easy reach from Kaynaklar Village and have been in use since 2000. At the end of your climb, surrounded by water and magnificent vegetation, a beautiful Aegean view awaits you. Kaynaklar has the most climbing routes in Türkiye and hosts an enjoyable climbing festival every year in the springtime. We recommend you participate in the festival organized by Dokuz Eylül University Mountaineering Club if you have the chance. The festival is usually held every year in April.
Geyikbayırı, Antalya
Geyikbayırı has an international reputation as the best climbing place in Türkiye. With more than 50 climbing points, Geyikbayırı is Türkiye’s largest climbing garden. This area is the third-best for winter climbing in the world, and the 10th-best for climbing in the summer. If you are familiar with the Antalya heat, it is not surprising that we are behind in the ranking in the summer months, is it?
We seem to hear you say, “Ok, that’s all great but what about the difficulty?” There are around 50 different routes in Geyikbayırı with all kinds of inclines at various difficulty levels. By the way, it is worth noting that the region is not suitable for traditional climbing, that is, climbing with a wedge. The places to climb and the craggy structure of the rocks require more advanced equipment to complete your adventure.
Ballıkayalar, Kocaeli
Another climbing destination that must be mentioned when it comes to locations in Türkiye is Ballıkayalar! Ballıkayalar is where the first climbs were made in our country in the 1970s. It is usually here that beginners attempt their first climb.
Today, it is frequently used by mountaineering clubs from nearby universities for search and rescue exercises. You will find more than 100 climbing routes with different difficulty levels and gradients. In addition, the limestone rocks of the region provide a solid surface for climbing. Ballıkayalar is great for mountaineering because of its four-month climbing season.
Karakaya, Eskişehir
We have come to the last destination on our list of Türkiye’s best climbing spots. Karakaya, Eskişehir. Karakaya is located in the district of Sivrihisar. In Karakaya, which offers topography suitable for traditional climbing, the length of the climbs is usually between 10 to 25 metres. In addition, a climbing festival is organized here by Anadolu University Mountaineering Club each year. If you attend this entertaining event, you will surely meet other athletes with the same interests.
Offering a structure with plenty of pinches, Karakaya offers a structure suitable for practising rock climbing with blocks reaching from 10 metres to 30 metres in height. If you’re not ready to get that far off the ground we have good news for you, there are also dozens of rocks in Karakaya that allow bouldering (small rock climbing). As you can see Karakaya is perfect for amateur and professional climbers.
Come on, make your choice and take action! Guarantee your comfort after your climbs by choosing hotels close to famous climbing spots. You will have a pleasurable stay with the assurance of Odamax!
