Antalya will host the 2011 Outdoor Sports Olympic

* Source: The New Anatolian

Antalya and Trabzon are getting ready to host Olympic festivals on 2011.

Turkish province of Antalya will host the 2011 Outdoor Sports Olympics, while Trabzon will host the next European Youth Olympic Festival.

Last week, the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV) confirmed Antalya as the host of Outdoor Olympics, where more than 30,000 athletes from 50 countries are expected to attend the games.

Athletes competing in the outdoor games range from 7 years old to 77 years old individuals and participate in running up to 42 kilometers, swimming up to 5 kilometers and cycling up to 50 kilometers.

The Black Sea city Trabzon has started the preparations for the next European Youth Olympic festival(EYOF), after successfully hosting the First Black Sea Games in 2007 in the north sea region.

A meeting designed to coordinate the 2011 EYOF took place in Belgrade and was attended by the Turkish delegation and EYOF Coordination Committee. "Having hosted events such as the Universiade 2005, Formula 1 races, Moto GP, Champions League Final, WTA Cup, and First Black Sea Games, Turkey has become a country of sports and Olympics," said Atalay.


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Top 10 Canyons in Turkey selected by travelers

Canyons, ravines created as a result of rivers carving into limestone regions, are among the wonders of nature and are areas frequently visited by lovers of nature sports. Some canyons in Turkey are suitable for rafting, while some are ideal for trekking.

A jury of the daily Hurriyet newspaper composed of nature photographers, travel writers and lovers of nature sports chose the best ten canyons in Turkey.

Valla Kanyonu
Valla Canyon is located in Muratbaşı village in Kastamonu-Pınarbaşı and is 450 kilometers away from Istanbul and 270 from Ankara. It begins where Devrekani and Kanlıçay (Bloody stream) meet and continues towards Cide for 12 kilometers. The entrance to the canyon is an extremely difficult route, and the canyon walls are 800-1200 meters high. Valla is in the boundaries of the National Park and is open to tourism; however, there are no facilities. The natural beauty and the fall are stunning. The steep rocks of the canyon nestle various kinds of wild birds such as eagles, vultures, hawks and falcons. Equipment and a guide are required to pass through Valla Canyon.

Köprülü Kanyon
Köprülü Canyon is just next to the ancient city of Selge in Taşağıl, which is located 63 kilometers northeast of Manavgat and 85 kilometers away from downtown Antalya. The canyon is 14 kilometers long and 300 meters deep. Only private vehicles can reach the canyon. There is only one small resting facility and a pension with a capacity of 40 people. The flora is composed of Akdeniz cypress (Mediterranean cypress), which is grown only in the Mediterranean region, oleander, wild rose, sytrax and blackberry. Foxes, wolves, wild goats, beavers, partridges, woodcocks, turtle doves, badgers, eagles and hawks are among the animals living nearby. It is a well-known rafting and trekking center.

Karacehennem (Black Hell) Pass
Karacehennem Valley, which is located in Belören village in Kastamonu-Küre, is 500 meters high and has two sections. The first one is 2 km long and is called Ersizlerdere Canyon, while the other one is the 3 km long Karacehennem pass. Despite its thousands of years of history, there are no resting facilities at Karacehennem except a café 500 meters away from the main road. Karacehennem is 550 and 300 kilometers away from Istanbul and Ankara respectively. The stunning area is covered with green flora and made of hills and mountains. Wild boars, bears and rabbits are among the wild animals in the environment. Those who have the essential equipment can do nature sports there.

Eşen Creek Canyon
Eşen Creek (Eşen Çayı) is located to the north of Akdağlar - Antalya and flows into the Mediterranean Sea, forming Saklıkent Canyon and Eşen Delta with its tributaries. The creek is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and is a preferred area for canoeing. The canoes navigate a 15-kilometer-long route and reach Patara beach. There is a break for a "mud bath" on the route. Please keep in mind that you should dive into the ice-cold water of Eşen Creek in order to get rid of the mud.

Çoruh Valley
Çoruh River reaches the Black Sea at Batum in Georgia and covers a 460-kilometer-long area from Ispir-Erzurum to the Yusufeli ditrict of Artvin. It is possible to reach any point of Çoruh Valley via the minibuses running between Artvin-Yusufeli and Yusufeli-Erzurum. There are pensions and small hotels for accommodation. The steep rocks lying along the river and forming canyons in certain points are bejeweled with stone and hanging bridges. The wooden houses peculiar to the region add beauty to the valley. Barhal Creek in Yusufeli is among the most preferred rafting routes in Turkey.

Saklıkent (in the above photo)
Saklıkent Canyon is in Fethiye-Kayaköy and is 18 kilometers long and 300 meters deep. It is among the canyons that attract the most attention of tourists. Approximately 200 - 300 thousand people visit the canyon every year. There are sixteen caves from Roman times, and it was used for shelter 2000-3000 years ago. Saklıkent Canyon National Park has steep slopes. The flora is composed of red and black pines and cedar. There are tree-houses and motels for accommodation, and restaurants are available. The canyon is suitable for rafting and trekking.

Güver Canyon
Güver Cliff Canyon is located near Düzlerçamı Park, 20 kilometers north of Antalya. The canyon is 2 kilometers long, 30 meters wide and 115 meters deep. There is no accommodation, but one may use the Düzlerçamı picnic area. The flora is composed of shrubs, oaks, juniper and gum. Deer, goats, foxes, wolves, eagles and turtle doves are among the animals and birds in the park. It is suitable for trekking.

Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley in Cappadocia is the canyon formed by the Melendiz stream, which has cut its way through the rocks. You can reach this 14-kilometer long valley by the dolmuş departing from Aksaray. Ihlara Valley is near Mt. Hasan and is made up of volcanic layers caused by volcanic eruptions. There are countless shelters, tombs and churches starting from Ihlara district as far as Selime district. Some shelters and churches are connected to each other with tunnels, as in the underground cities. Some of the 105 churches are open to visitors.

Lamas Canyon
Lamas Canyon is located in Mersin-Erdemli. It is a 114-kilometer-long valley formed by the Limonlu creek, whose source is in the Taurus mountains. The canyon walls are 200 meters high. A pathway lies along the canyon and allows visitors to swim in the creek. The historical places and fruit gardens around the canyon are among the indispensable places for trekking groups and campers.

Göksu Canyon
Göksu River in Mersin, which begins in the Taurus mountains, is ideal for rafting and canoeing. The river is 260 kilometers long and as soon as the Göksu passes Mut, it enters a canyon with 100-meter-high walls. It usually flows slowly and as such is suitable for rafting beginners.

* Canyons from www.mymerhaba.com


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Top 10 Rafting Routes in Turkey

Turkey has some excellent rivers for rafting. All you need to know is how to swim in order to join this high-adrenaline sport where you fight with waves on a small rubber boat. However, on tourist rafting tours, each raft is under the control of one professional guide. The essential equipment is a lifejacket, helmet, waterproof suits and oars.

The water level of the rivers changes according to the season; therefore, the ideal time for rafting is between May and July. The rivers are graded on an international scale from 1 to 6, 1 being calm water and 6 being considered impassable rapids. Even professional rafters struggle on routes numbered 5.

A jury composed of rafters, nature photographers and travel writers chose the most famous 10 rafting routes in Turkey for the daily Hürriyet Newspaper in 2004.

Çoruh Nehri (Çoruh River)
Considered one of the ten best courses in the world, Çoruh River in Artvin is 169 kilometers long and has four degrees of rafting difficulty. The most popular season is May and June. International championships are held here. The 1993 World Rafting Championship and the third phase of the 2003 Turkey Rafting Championship took place in Çoruh River. It is surrounded by the Kaçkar Mountains, where climbing is available. The route mostly addresses professional rafters; however, amateurs may complete the route in 10 days with a guide and with camping facilities.

Fırtına Vadisi (Storm Valley)
Fırtına Vadisi (Storm Valley), located in Rize which has a coast on Black Sea, has a 23-kilometer-long course, rating difficulty levels of 3, 4 and 5. Its peak season is May and June. The 2004 Turkey Rafting Championship took place at Fırtına River, which is among the sites that should be protected according to the World Wildlife Foundation. You can travel from the valley to Ayder Plateau, the tourism center of the area, Çat Plateau and Zil Castle. Mountain climbing in the Kaçkar Mountains is done here. The route can be completed in an hour and is used by amateur and professional rafters.

Dalaman Stream
Dalaman Stream has become of the most popular spots among rafters and runs for 12 kilometers. The stream has two different levels of difficulty: the higher trail is rated 3rd degree, according to the international levels of difficulty, while the lower trail is rated 1st degree. Thus, it is suitable for both professionals and amateurs. It is recommended for children and for those rafting for the first time. The route can be completed in 2.5 - 3 hours. The rafting season begins in May and ends in August.

Melen River
Melen River is located in Düzce, close to Istanbul, and the best rafting season is spring. The second phase of the 2003 Turkey Rafting Championship took place here. The 16 kilometer long route can be completed in 1.5 hours and the difficulty level is 3.

Ikizdere River
İkizdere River is in Rize and has a 25-kilometer long route. It has three different difficulty levels. The peak season is May and June. Several local competitions are held in the river. It is suitable for beginners as well as professionals. The track can be completed in 1.5 hours.

Munzur Stream
Munzur Stream is located on the Munzur Plain in Tunceli (eastern Anatolia) and has a rafting route of 20 kilometers. The difficulty levels cannot be determined as there has not been any technical survey. The best season is May and July. It is popular among amateur rafters from the neighboring cities. El-baba Camping in Ovacık is where short-term amateurs have a break.

Köprüçay
Köprüçay Rafting Center is 11 kilometers down from the ancient city of Selge, in Taşağıl, Antalya. The difficulty levels are 1 and 2. It is among the least dangerous courses, and it continues for 12 kilometers. There are two routes, and it ends at Karabük Bridge after one hour rafting. The temperature of the water is a constant 9 degrees both in winter and in summer. A rafting championship is held every year.

Bekili Stream
Bekili Stream is located in Denizli with a course of 9.5 kilometers, and rafting is available at any time of the year. The route can be completed in two hours, and the difficulty levels of the river are 3 and 4. It flows at more than 25 cubic meters per second and as such is not suitable for amateur rafters. The five-kilometer-long Mangırınkısık Canyon is at the beginning of the track. The Çal Regülatörü - Hançalar Bridge route on the same river has a difficulty level of 1 and is 11 kilometers long. It takes 2 hours to complete the route, which is ideal for amateurs and tourists.

Zamantı River
Zamantı River is located at Yahyalı, Kayseri. Although 21 kilometers of it is suitable for rafting, only 13 kilometers is used. There are eight routes with various difficulty levels, which are mostly preferred by professionals. Değirmenocağı and Yerköprü are the most difficult tracks. The route can be completed in two hours and May, June and July are the ideal months for rafting..

Barhal Stream
Barhal Stream is in Artvin and has an 18 kilometer long track. The river has four routes with different difficulty levels. The track is completed in two hours. The peak season is May, June and July. There are historical ruins around the stream, and trekking is available.

* Rafting Spots - www.mymerhaba.com

Coruh is One of the Fastest Rivers in The World

River Coruh which is among Turkey's natural beauties with historically rich sites and an undisturbed nature is known to be one of the fastest flowing rives in the world.
Coruh River is frequented by local and foreign sportsmen, who travel each year to this area for canoeing, rafting and trekking in the Kackar Mountains.
The natural habitat of Coruh River remains undisturbed. Colonies of red vultures, which are threatened with extinction, live among the rocks by the riverside. The area surrounding the river is rich in wildlife, including gray bear, mountain goat with hooked horns, wild boar, wolf, jackal, fox, badger, marten, water sable, rabbit, partridge, wild rooster, woodcock, wild duck, stock dove, golden oriole, siskin, fieldfare, pigeon and wood pigeon.
The small towns and villages located along the river are impressively authentic and interesting historically. The area as a whole represents the synthesis of the cultures of Eastern Anatolia and the Black Sea.

Originating at the Mescit Mountains (3,225 m) and flowing 466 km before reaching the Black Sea in Georgia, the Coruh passes 150 kms through the province of Artvin, the river cuts through steep and impregnable mountains on its way towards the Black Sea.
From Tekkale, guides can take you up the mountains to see the historic Dörtkilise, a medieval Georgian church.

As the flow-rate of the river picks up speed, the route becomes increasingly challenging, class 3-4-5 water. Oltu Cayì joins the river 9 km after Yusufeli, near the Artvin-Erzurum highway junction, behind a concrete bridge. The rapids begin 22 km from Yusufeli. This 100 meter stretch of white water, nicknamed "King-Kong", cascades around sharp boulders with breathtaking velocity, making it the high point of the expedition. The water is dangerous here, class 5+ water, so less experienced expeditions should not plan to cross this section when the river is high.

The best way to reach the summit at Kackar Mountains is via the villages of Yaylalar and Olgunlar. Dilberdüzü makes an excellent campsite. From there proceed to Deniz Lake and the summit at 3,9377 m. Local guides and mules to carry personal belongings may be hired. An alternative route is to the summit is to pass horizontally by Trans-Kackar on one of several trails.

What To See
As one of the first places in Anatolia to be settled by the Turks, Bayburt is renowned for its music, folklore and historic buildings. The town's location on the Silk Road made it a stopping place for travellers from the east and west. It has retained its importance militarily and culturally throughout the centuries.

Today, the imposing Bayburt Fortress, Clock Tower, old Turkish baths (hamam), mosques and churches are worth seeing.

Also of interest are javelin contests, a traditional type of polo, water buffalo wrestling and local folk dances.

Ruins of several citadels can be seen in Ispir. The medieval fortress of Ispir citadel was repaired and used in turn by the Saltuks, Seljuks and Ottomans. The castle contains a small mescid or chapel.

Yusufeli is particularly interesting for amateur historians and archaeologists. The Barhal church, Ishan fortress and church, Demirkent fortress and church, Cevreli-Meydan citadel, Kilickaya fortress and hundreds of underground storerooms tell the fascinating history of the area.


The Annual Coruh Extreme Kayak Competition

" The Çoruh River, is a river in north-eastern Turkey and south-western Georgia, which runs through the town of Artvin. The Çoruh makes its way through many towns and villages before joining the Black Sea.

Offering (relatively) warm water and world class white water, the Çoruh is the host of the annual Coruh Extreme kayak competition. Attracting kayakers from all over the world, the race is organised by Dave Manby who is an authority on kayaking in the area. For the same reasons rafting is also very popular on the Çoruh. "

* From Wikipedia-

Çoruh Extreme Race - 2007

"In May 2005, thirty-five of the world’s top white-water paddlers from thirteen countries gathered together on one of the most exciting and beautiful rivers in Turkey, the Coruh, to race between Ispir and Yusufeli.

At the end of the competition, all competitors were unanimous that it had been the best and most extreme river event they had ever participated in.

It is planned to repeat the event in 2007.

Prize Money – There is a 5000.00 purse up for grabs!!

For more information, please visit www.coruhextreme.com

See you there! "

-Deb Pinniger


" Dave Manby has been a regular visitor to the Coruh River in Eastern Turkey. In early 2005 Coruh Extreme was set up specifically to run a major Kayaking event in Turkey. So successful was this event it was decided to hold another one in 2007. You can view and download relevant documents and see last years results, here.

By the by, the River Coruh and its surrounds is a lovely part of the world to visit and Dave has written about it here. A promotional video involving footage of the 2005 event can be viewed here. This years event is due to take place between the 2nd and 9th of June, 2007. There is a 5000 Euro prize pot and further prizes are going to be provided by Pyranah and Robson. The entry fee is 100 Euros per person. All transport from and to Erzurum and between is covered but competitors pay for their own accommodation and food....."
-www.coruhextreme.com

Trekking at Cappadocia - A Fantastic Fairyland

Cappadocia, is the volcanic land between two great volcanoes, Mt. Hasan and Mt. Erciyes. Thanks to the soft volcanic material (tuff) and the erosions of millions of years by the wind and the rain, the whole are looks like a fantastic, fairy-tale land.

The remains of the volcanic eruptions millons of years ago, shaped by the wind and rain for thousands of years, have formed one of natures most spectacular masterpieces: Strange rock formations, called "fairy chimneys" (Peri Bacaları).

Beautifully coloured valleys full of these 'fairy houses' have been a fantastic stage for some of the most important actors of known history, namely, the Hittites, The Persians, Alexander the Great, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Many of them still are decorated with the wall paintings from the early Christian times.Beautifully coloured valleys full of these 'fairy houses' have been a fantastic stage for some of the most important actors of known history, namely, the Hittites, The Persians, Alexander the Great, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Many of them still are decorated with the wall paintings from the early Christian times.

Rich with history and filled with natural wonders, Cappadocia is a perfect landscape for trekking, hiking, biking and many other outdoor activities as well as historical and archeological tours.
* Source: www.middleearthtravel.com/

Extreme Action in Kaş - Ancient cities under the crystal waters

• The town of Kaş has a Roman ampitheatre and many other places of historical interest; and it has spots of natural beauty, including excellent beaches, and a number of interesting caves, some of them underwater.
• The mountains behind the coast offer countless places for trekking, climbing and river rafting.
• The ruins of the antique cities of Komba (in the village of Gömbe), Nisa, Kandyba, Phellos, Istlada, Apollonia, Isinda and Kyaenai.
• A popular excursion from Kaş is Kekova island in the neighbouring district of Demre. Here in the magnificent bays you will see a surprising variety of wrecks of ancient ships and ancient cities sunk under the sea by earthquakes over the centuries. The sea is so perfectly clear that the details of city buildings such as staircases or columns can be seen from the boat. In December 2006 Kaş was added to the specially protected Kekova marine area in order to preserve its rich biodiversity.
  
  * from Wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org./wiki/kaş