Kaklık Cave

Kaklık Cave is a cave located within the boundaries of Kaklık Village, Honaz District, Denizli Province, in Türkiye’s Aegean Region. It lies along the Denizli-Ankara Highway, approximately 30 kilometers from the city center of Denizli. Access to the cave is achieved by traveling three kilometers north from Kaklık Village along a side road. Regular minibus services also operate between Denizli city center and Kaklık Village.

Geological Features and Structure

Kaklık Cave is an active cave situated in a doline-spring and collapse sinkhole setting. The geological formations surrounding the cave consist of Mesozoic limestones, Eocene marl, clay, sandstone, and conglomerates, as well as Miocene-Pliocene layers of clay, sand, marl, and limestone. Quaternary travertine and alluvial deposits also characterize the region.

Cave Formation and Physical Characteristics

The cave is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites and is particularly notable for its travertine terraces. Due to its resemblance to the travertine formations in Pamukkale, it is also known as “Little Pamukkale” or “Cave Pamukkale.” The internal temperature of the cave ranges between 24–32 °C and exhibits a stable, humid microclimate.

Kaklık Cave. (Anadolu Agency)

Hydrogeochemical Properties

The cave contains abundant thermal water. These waters are clear, colorless, and have a sulfur odor. Analyses reveal the following characteristics of the cave water:

• pH: 6.85
• Total Hardness (TH): 116.9
• Chloride (mg/L): 31.6
• Calcium (mg/L): 286.17
• Magnesium (mg/L): 110.62
• Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L): 0.7
• Ammonia, active chlorine, organic matter, sediment: Absent

Kaklık Cave. (Anadolu Agency)

Biological Features

In areas of the cave exposed to direct sunlight and where water continuously drips or flows down the walls, dense growths of algae and small-leaved ivy species have developed. Depending on lighting conditions, these plants display varying shades of green throughout the day, giving the cave a distinctive appearance.

Tourism and Facilities

Kaklık Cave was opened to tourism in May 2002 under the initiatives of the Denizli Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Facilities for visitors include a swimming pool, a small amphitheater, viewing platforms, a cafeteria, and restrooms around the cave entrance. Platforms have been constructed allowing visitors to walk above the water inside the cave.

Visitor Profile and Interest

The cave attracts both domestic and international tourists, with a recent increase in visitor numbers. Particular interest has been shown by tourists from Japan, Korea, and China.

Kaklık Cave. (Anadolu Agency))