Adventure Activities in Turkey: Exploring the Great Outdoors

Turkey is a wonderful destination for those seeking outdoor action and adventure, the Property Turkey team look at some of the best attractions in the country

Turkey offers a breathtaking array of scenery and geography that is perfect for activity holidays, ranging from hiking and horse riding to caving, riding a hot air balloon and white water rafting down the rapids.

With so many outdoor pursuits available, the Property Turkey team, the company to contact about buying property in Turkey and luxury villas in Turkey, has created a shortlist of their recommended excursions. Many of these can be organised through official tour operators who provide equipment, safety briefings and guided tours, enriching your knowledge of the local culture and history while making the most of the fresh air.

Whether you are keen on thrilling adventure sports or would like to discover some of Turkey’s best landscapes and vistas from a different perspective, there is an activity for you.

The Top Adventure Activities to Experience in Turkey

The optimal time to travel to Turkey depends on the types of outdoor excursions you would like to try, with sports like scuba diving and windsurfing great during the warm, balmy summers and skiing conditions ideal between December and March.

Although Turkey is often regarded as a summer destination, it transforms into a snow-covered wonderland during the winter, with the Aladağlar Mountains an inspiring place where you can find hidden valleys, vast rock walls and even underground cities beneath the icy air.

We’ve put together our must-try list covering sports and tours for all seasons to ensure you have a wonderful time venturing off the beaten path regardless of your planned travel dates.

Paragliding in Ölüdeniz

Ölüdeniz is a beautiful spot, and if you'd like to view the coastline from the air, a tandem paragliding trip is a good choice. This southern Turkish region is, of course, also home to the Blue Lagoon and welcomes thousands of visitors every year to enjoy the fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Step away from Belcekız Beach, and you’ll find the Butterfly Valley Nature Reserve and the Babadağ Mountain soaring over the resort. You can also join The Lycian Way, which runs from Hisarönü to Aşağı Karaman.

Within this unique area, paragliding has become increasingly popular and is a great way to soak in all the sights, taking off in a small aircraft and using a lightweight glider to steer your course over the landscape. Once you take off, you will find the experience incredibly calming, with help from your co-pilot – it feels like you are flying effortlessly before coming to a gentle stop when your tour is complete.

Hiking in the Taurus Mountains

The Taurus Mountains provide a rugged hiking experience, with the peaks stretching up to 2,200 metres into the clouds with panoramic views that need to be seen to be believed. Trails and paths wind through forests and alpine landscapes, heading through the Köprülü Canyon National Park.

The St Paul Trail is the second longest in Turkey and crosses the Taurus mountain range on its way to the Anatolian plateau, following what is thought to be the original path of St Paul, the apostle.

Along the way, you can see ancient ruins, turquoise lakes, and traditional farmhouses, with rock formations, deep canyons and steep valleys to challenge experienced hikers, or gentler routes and one-day hiking trips for families.

Skiing in Uludağ

In Bursa, Marmara Bölgesi, visitors can test their skills on no less than 17 miles of slopes, with weather suited to skiing or snowboarding from December onwards. There are several ski resorts to choose from, although the Uludağ Ski Centre is considered one of the finest in Turkey, with a 397-metre-high summit.

The best time to ski is during the earlier parts of the ski season before the powdery snow becomes slushy, and you can pick from several local hotels ranging from cosy lodges to luxury accommodations.

Winters in the Turkish Mountains are very cold, and Uludağ has over 150 days of snow cover per year, offering a wide array of winter sports once you leave the slopes, including ice-skating and heli-skiing off the trails.

Cycling in Cappadocia

The famous fairy chimneys in Cappadocia are an amazing sight, with attractions such as the Derinkuyu Underground City and Ürgüp’s traditional market making the trip highly worthwhile. Exploring by mountain bike is a great option, where you can pit yourself against tough off-road trails or join a group tour with an experienced guide.

Cyclists can follow the single-track route that threads through the Ihlara Canyon and see some of the most unreal landscapes anywhere in the world, with caves still standing that were first carved into the walls by Bronze Age people.

This region in central Turkey is also a great place to try a hot air balloon ride, with flights available year-round, and excellent at sunrise due to the calm wind conditions and morning sunlight.

Rock Climbing in the Aladağlar National Park

The National Park is one of the top places for rock climbing across Turkey, with several spots that have established routes alongside untested rock faces for experienced climbers. We'd suggest Akyarlar, Feslekan Yayla, Citdibi or Geyikbayiri, where you'll find rock-climbing tour operators who can recommend a route to follow based on your skill level.

Part of the Taurus mountain range, the National Park covers 136,000 acres with a huge range of canyons, boulders and rock walls, located between the cities of Kayseri and Adana and accessible by bus with a journey time of around two hours. Visitors can also camp nearby during the warmer weather and try hiking or ski touring during their stay.

Sea Kayaking in Antalya

Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines provide superb conditions for exploring the ocean, with sea kayaking a fantastic activity for all ages. Tour operates supply life jackets and all the equipment, and you can spend your day paddling through the warm waters or steering into caves and coves around the bays.

Kayaking is available from several operators in Antalya, and you can book guided tours to find the sunken city of Kekova Kas or combine your time at sea with scuba diving and swimming. Those looking for a faster-paced activity can also try white water rafting in the Köprülü Canyon National Park, a little North of Antalya, with rapids in between calm stretches of river and meandering through rock walls and gorges.

Read more about Property Turkey - Understanding Citizenship by Investment Visas in Turkey 

About Property Turkey: With 20+ years experience in the Turkish real estate market, team Property Turkey are your experienced, friendly and independent overseas real estate consultants. Our head office is located in London, UK with regional operational offices in: Bodrum, Fethiye & Kalkan, Antalya and Istanbul.

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