Köprülü Canyon National Park

Köprülü Kanyon National Park is a natural area covering 366,140 decares located 63 kilometers northwest of the Manavgat district of Antalya province, encompassing the place area. Established as a national park in 1973 under national, it is situated along the Köprüçay River (Bridge) and the historic ancient city of Selge. The park’s most striking feature is a 14-kilometer-long, over-100-meter-deep canyon carved by the Köprüçay River between the villages of Bolasan and Beşkonak. This canyon holds the distinction of being one of Türkiye’s deepest canyons.

Köprülü Kanyon National Park (Culture Portal)

Geographical Features and Natural Riches

The Köprüçay River, originating in the Taurus Mountains, forms the core main source value of the park. It flows through narrow and deep canyons before reaching the Mediterranean Sea south of Serik. Surrounded by steep and difficult-to-climb canyon walls, the Köprüçay is fed by underground springs and is notable for its write-winter high discharge. These characteristics make it one of Türkiye’s most popular rafting routes. Moreover, the river’s clear greenish-blue waters are considered among the cleanest flowing rivers in the world.

The park’s geomorphological structure is also highly diverse. Unique formations such as the Adam (Satan) Rock formations, karstic springs, caves, lapies, and canyons are characteristic of the region. With elevations ranging from 150 to 2,500 meters, the park supports a rich flora and fauna. It contains the largest natural cedar forest in the Mediterranean Region (400 hectares), home to 48 rare species including 44 endemics, as well as threatened species such as the Mountain Wild Goat, Anatolia Sıvacıkuşu, Red Griffon Vulture, and black Salamander.

Köprülü Kanyon National Park (Culture Portal)

Historical and Cultural Values

Köprülü Kanyon National Park is also of archaeological significance alongside its natural beauty. The ancient city of Selge, founded in the 5th century BCE, features a theater, agora, Zeus and Artemis temples, cisterns, and water arches. The Roman-era Oluk and Büğrüm bridges connected Selge to other Pamphylian coast cities via paved historical stone roads. A 45-kilometer stretch of the Apostle Paul’s Route, associated with the earliest missionary activities in Anatolia, sheds light on the region’s history. The Apostle Paul’s Route is a significant walking trail linked to the first Christian missionary efforts in Anatolia.

Recreation and Tourism

The national park offers visitors a variety of activities. In addition to water sports such as rafting, canoe, canyoning, and swimming, the park promotes nature hiking, rock climbing, bicycle, camping, botany, wildlife observation, photography, and jeep safaris. The rafting route has a difficulty level of 2 to 3, starting from Oluk Bridge for amateurs and from Çaylayan for professionals. Accommodation options within the park include guesthouses, tent camping areas, and food and beverage facilities. Access to the park, which has free entry, is provided via a road off the Antalya-Manavgat highway, asphalt.