Adana's Kapıkaya Canyon
Note: As of July 2023 the river has changed course along the trail of Kapıkaya Canyon. It is now necessary to cross the water to complete the trail. The crossing is about 15 minutes in from the trailhead and in two places. Each crossing is about 25 feet across and maybe ankle to mid-shin deep. The riverbed is quite rocky, so I would recommend water shoes.
In the middle of winter we decided to visit Kapıkaya Canyon, a place we had heard a lot about but had never seen. It is close to a village called Karaisalı, which is about a 45 minute drive from the main city of Adana. The drive out was easy, a pretty straight shot down well-paved roads, and the weather was gorgeous.
Since both Leslie and I are from rural areas, driving through farmland like this usually puts us in pretty good moods. It calms our hearts and minds, helps us slow down. Isn’t that why anybody explores the great outdoors? The canyon is about a 5km drive from Karaisalı village, and we could see it from far off. In the fairly even range of hills, the jagged gap gives the impression that someone reached down and pulled the mountain apart at a seam. As we pulled in, we saw a well-marked entrance and a trail with a sturdy hand-rail leading into the canyon.
We were greeted by a local proprietor.
We had an extra hotdog and bun so we gave it to her, she just looked so skinny and hungry! She gobbled them up and promptly sat down next to our car, clearly expecting more. We apologized for not being able to oblige without infringing on our own lunch prospects and set off down the path.
The trail was easy and wide, starting at a slight incline and increasing as we got further in. We were the only ones there at the time, so except for the sound of the rushing water below it was quite serene.
The walls were streaked with different colors, red, tan, even yellow at times, perhaps from minerals or natural springs that one time flowed over them? They were also very smooth. Throughout our hike we saw very few jagged edges.
At times the trail took us right next to the stream, and there were several signs warning of sudden water level increases that could render those particular areas dangerous. At times we were high above looking down on the water crashing below. The most strenuous portion was at the site of a rock-slide that had taken place last year, temporarily closing the canyon to hikers. Though it is now passable, we had to work our way through myriad large boulders and tiptoe around some broken boards and damaged railings.
The water itself varied from swift flowing stream, to waterfall, to wide, shallow pool. It was easy to imagine taking a refreshing dip on one of the sweltering summer days this region is known for, and I am sure there have been many visitors who have done just that! In the chilly weather of that day we were content to simply observe from the edge in our jackets. At times the rocky walls hung over our heads, and it got quite cold in the shade.
The deeper in we got the greener the scenery became. More and more trees and bushes lined the path next to us and overshadowed from the rocks above. Going at a very leisurely pace we reached a small rest area about 45 minutes in. It was down by the water, surrounded by trees, and even in its leafless winter condition it was quite picturesque. We hung up our hammocks, settled in to read some, and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. Even though it was still early afternoon, the narrow canyon blocked much of the sunlight and it wasn’t long before our inactivity and the growing shade rendered things very cold! We decided to pack up, hike back out and look for a place to build a fire for our hotdogs.
On the way out we met other visitors, one of whom, like us, lives in Adana but was only visiting the canyon for her first time. She shared in our enthusiasm for its beauty, and wondered that, with it being so close, we were all just now discovering it! For our part we would like to return to this beautiful canyon often. It afforded a peaceful break from the big city without too long of a drive.
To our friends in the West, keep looking East!
Ginny Lou Henley
Ginny Lou is a co-founder of West2East. Originally from Alabama, Ginny Lou has called Turkey home for the past nine years. To read more about her, click here.