Şahinkaya Canyon

Şahinkaya Canyon is located in the Vezirköprü district of Samsun, within the watershed of the Altınkaya Dam Lake formed by the Kızılırmak River on. It is situated 13 kilometers from the Vezirköprü district center and 125 kilometers from the Samsun provincial center.

Şahinkaya Canyon, the second largest water canyon in Türkiye, has a length of approximately 1500 meters, an average depth of 106 meters water, and a height of 340 meters canyon.

Formation and Geological Structure

Through thousands of years of erosion by the Kızılırmak River and orogenesis, a narrow and winding canyon has formed. This canyon divides the Altınkaya Dam Lake into two parts with a natural appearance. The narrowest and most constricted passage of the Kızılırmak River is located within Şahinkaya Canyon, where its steep slopes are covered with dense and green vegetation plant.

Şahinkaya Canyon (https://samsun.bel.tr/icerik/sahinkaya-kanyonu)

Morphological Features

The narrow, steep-walled gorge stretching five kilometers in length exhibits the characteristics of a incised valley by definition. Due to its exceptionally steep and narrow slopes, it possesses a morphology distinct from other gorges in the lower reaches of the Kızılırmak River.

Historical and Cultural Values

In addition to its natural beauty, Şahinkaya Canyon contains historical sites. Within the canyon there are coves, fjords, and ancient settlement areas. Remnants belonging to the Hittite civilization are found in the canyon, and the site where Hittite kings were anointed upon ascending the throne is also located in Vezirköprü. Additionally, natural caves formed from limestone bedrock are among the canyon’s other notable geological features.

Şahinkaya Canyon (https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/samsun/gezilecekyer/sahinkaya-kanyonu)

Protection Status

In 2012, Şahinkaya Canyon and its surroundings were declared a national tourism area by a decision of the Council of Ministers. In 2015, the canyon gained the status of a nature park and was placed under protection.

Nature Sports and Tourist Activities

Various nature-based activities are carried out in and around the canyon. These include Boat excursions, water sports, canoe, camping, picnicking, plant and wildlife observation, fishing, mountaineering, and hiking. The canyon can be viewed from above via hiking trails offering bird’s-eye perspectives.

Boat tours are organized from two distinct points within the canyon: Türkmen Village and Vezirsuyu Nature Park.