Dark Canyon

Darkness Canyon, located in the Kemaliye district of Erzincan province, place is a natural formation notable for its geological structure and ecosystem characteristics. With cliff faces reaching up to 500 to 600 meters in places, it forms a closed ecosystem and bears resemblance to world-renowned canyons such as the Grand Canyon (USA) and the Alps (Europe) like. This valley, carved by the Euphrates River, holds significant potential for ecotourism and nature-based sports.

Karanlık Kanyon is situated along the Euphrates River valley stretching between Kemaliye and Kemah. It exhibits a geomorphological structure of considerable interest. Formed by river erosion of limestone main rock, the canyon displays steep cliffs and narrow passages that make it ideal for nature-based activities such as canyoning. The canyon extends along the valley from Ballot box village down to the bed of the Euphrates River.

Thanks to its natural structure, Karanlık Kanyon supports a variety of nature sports. In the 1990s, under the initiative of then Erzincan Governor Recep Yazıcıoğlu, sporting activities such as rafting, canoe, water skiing and zipline were introduced here, and the canyon remains a preferred destination for such activities today. In addition, Buse Jump and Wingsuit (bat skydiver) jumps organized as part of the Kemaliye International Culture and Nature Sports Festival have made the canyon an attractive destination for extreme sports.

The waterways of the Euphrates River in this region are of great importance for canoeing. Indeed, the international publication Kanu-Magazine has ranked the Euphrates River route between Kemaliye and Kemah among Europe’s top 10 canoeing routes.

One of the standout features within the canyon is a 7-kilometer-long stone road featuring 38 tunnels. This road, with its sharp curves and steep cliffs, is an important structure both from an engineering and adventure tourism perspective.

Another of the most popular activities for canyon visitors is boat boat tours. These approximately 40 minute long boat excursions offer visitors the opportunity to witness sunrise and sunset within the canyon’s depths, which exceed 1000 meters.

Karanlık Kanyon is a natural heritage site of both scientific and touristic significance, owing to its geomorphological structure, suitability for nature sports, and tourism potential.