Turkey is historically known as a country of food, history, and iconic landmarks. Turkey is also a ruggedly beautiful land with characteristics as a result of mountain ranges and canyons, powerful rivers, an abundance of adrenaline filled coastlines, and much more. As such, there is no shortage of outdoor adventure opportunities available to travelers who aren’t content with a simple sightseeing experience. Turkey adventure tours provide travelers with the opportunity to see numerous types of outdoor adventure conditions within the country’s well developed tourism infrastructure.
Adventure seekers will love how much diversity is offered in a single location when visiting Turkey. Travelers can hike ancient trails for a week, one day, and fly over top of bright blue turquoise lagoons the next, usually with short travel times between trip destinations.
Hiking
Most of the hiking options available are not only scenic, but they also provide historical context. The Lycian Way is one of Turkey’s longest and most popular hiking routes, running along Turkey’s southern coast, and incorporates ancient structures, coastal cliffs, mountain passes, and more than 2,000 years of history. A different experience is had when one hikes through Cappadocia‘s surreal rock formations and eroded valleys, as these landforms were made by the wind and water, rather than by glaciers, as are most mountain peaks.
Most Turkey adventure tours will help you stay safe on the right trails for the current weather conditions and offer you the cultural context necessary to create an enjoyable trip. The terrain in Turkey can change drastically from season to season, so having someone who can guide you through the terrain can mean the difference between an enjoyable hike and a life-threatening one.
Paragliding
Ölüdeniz has been consistently ranked as one of the best paragliding locations worldwide, largely due to its unique mix of consistent thermal patterns, stable weather, and strong regulation of the sport by pro paragliders. These factors make it a safe option for new and experienced paragliders alike.
All of the adventure tours in Turkey that provide tandem paragliding flights utilize certified pilots and emphasize safety as well as the thrill of flying. When flying from Mount Babadağ and gliding down over the spectacular Blue Lagoon, you will be treated to an experience that is both beautiful and safely controlled for those who are new to extreme sports.
Rafting
Turkey is home to numerous rivers that offer an array of adventure opportunities. At the forefront is the Köprülü Canyon located near Antalya, which has a wide range of rapids from Class II-IV based on the time of year. Rafting on this river gives you a unique combination of extreme white-water excitement along with views of untouched canyon scenery.
Reputable guided adventure tours in Turkey will typically include proper safety briefings, professional rafting equipment, and trained raft guides. This is essential because during the spring snowmelt, water levels and difficulty can be very high. As a result, having an accurate assessment of conditions will only add to your enjoyment of this sport.
Beyond the Big Three
Hiking, paragliding, and white-water rafting are only a few of the adventure options that Turkey has to offer. Geyikbayırı offers rock climbing opportunities; the Aegean Coast has scuba diving, the Taurus Mountains have mountain biking; and Eastern Anatolia offers winter sports.
Selecting operators that possess a solid understanding of both the sport and the local environment is key to having a great experience. Smaller groups tend to provide the best experiences along with realistic itineraries. A guide who prioritizes conditions over the schedule will usually provide you with the best experience.
Final Thoughts
Turkey is a well-established, yet often-overlooked, global adventure destination rather than a newly-emerging adventure destination. When developing adventure trips to Turkey, careful planning can result in exciting yet safe, deep yet easy to reach, and authentic yet adrenaline jumping experiences. Turkey should be on your radar if you’re interested in being challenged while not feeling like you’re putting yourself in danger.
