Antalya's Best-Kept Secret
In the northern section of Köprülü Canyon National Park, within the boundaries of Gaziler village, the Köprüçay River has carved through conglomerate bedrock over thousands of years to create Tazı Canyon — 4 kilometres long, 30 to 50 metres wide, and enclosed by rock walls that rise between 300 and 400 metres. The height of these walls at their tallest points exceeds three times the height of a typical minaret. Standing at the edge and looking down is a genuinely vertiginous experience.
Although Tazı Canyon has been known to local people for generations, it was introduced to wider audiences in 2016 by the Patika Nature Walking group. Images of the canyon spread rapidly through social media in subsequent years, turning it into one of Turkey's most searched natural destinations. Visitors frequently describe stepping into the canyon as entering a completely different geography — its climate, vegetation, and rock character feel nothing like the Mediterranean coast just a few hours away.
The area is also known among hikers as Bilgelik Vadisi — Wisdom Valley.
A Landscape That Feels Like Scandinavia
What sets Tazı apart visually from Antalya's other canyons is its atmosphere. Where Köprülü Canyon has the warmth and openness of the Mediterranean, Tazı is cool, deep, and vertical — more reminiscent of a Scandinavian fjord or a forested mountain valley in northern Thailand than anything on the Turkish Riviera. Thin streams of water seep down the vertical walls, creating a cool, humid microclimate that keeps the canyon noticeably cold even in midsummer.
Wild goats, rabbits, eagles, rock pigeons, and hawks can be spotted in the natural cracks and ledges along the canyon walls. The botanical diversity within the gorge is equally striking.
How to Visit
It is possible to drive to the parking area near the canyon rim. From there, a short walk of approximately one minute through the forest brings you to the canyon edge — and the view changes abruptly and completely. Descending into the canyon and walking its length requires a longer, more demanding trail; appropriate equipment and reasonable physical fitness are needed for this route.
Camping is both permitted and popular — spending the night under the stars at the canyon edge is one of the reasons people make the considerable drive out here. However, there are no food vendors, shops, or facilities anywhere near the site. Everything must be brought in.
Drone photography is popular at Tazı; large flat rocks on the canyon walls serve as natural landing platforms. Some sections of the canyon are exposed to wind, so calm weather is preferable for flying.
Important Safety Warning
Tazı Canyon carries a flooding risk during periods of heavy rainfall. Anyone camping in or near the canyon should monitor weather forecasts carefully and be prepared for sudden water rises. Checking current canyon conditions from local sources before visiting during the rainy season is strongly recommended — this is not optional.
Practical Information
- Location: Gaziler village, Beşkonak, Manavgat. 105 km from Antalya city centre, approximately 30 minutes from Köprülü Canyon.
- Getting there: Private vehicle or organised tour strongly recommended; the road is single-lane and rough — a high-clearance vehicle is advisable. Approximately 2 hours from Antalya. From Köprülü Canyon National Park, continue toward Beşkonak, pass the Selge junction, and drive approximately 8 km toward Gaziler village — the Tazı sign appears on the right. Continue 4 km further to the cemetery, where vehicles can be parked.
- Entrance fee: Free.
- Opening hours: Open year-round; check conditions before visiting in wet seasons due to flooding risk.
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours at the canyon rim; half to a full day for the canyon interior walk.
- Important: No food, drink, or shops anywhere near the site — bring everything you need. Flooding risk in heavy rain is serious.
- Combine with: Köprülü Canyon, Selge Ancient City, and Adam Kayalar lie along the same route.
