The Varda Viaduct, locally known as the Alman Köprüsü (German Bridge), is a soaring 1912-era railway viaduct standing roughly 98 m high over the Çakıt gorge near Hacıkırı, famous as a chase location in the James Bond film Skyfall. Nearby Kapıkaya Canyon offers a dramatic limestone gorge with walkways and picnic areas in the Taurus foothills.
The Varda Viaduct, locally called Alman Köprüsü (German Bridge), stands roughly 65 km northwest of Adana in the Karaisalı district of Adana Province, reached in about 75–90 minutes by car via a mountain road climbing through the Taurus foothills to Hacıkırı village. No direct public transport serves either the viaduct or Kapıkaya Canyon, so a rental car, hired driver, or organised tour from Adana is necessary. The drive itself is scenic, ascending from the flat Çukurova plain into forested limestone terrain.
Built between 1908 and 1912 as part of the Baghdad Railway by German engineers, the viaduct soars approximately 98 metres above the Çakıt gorge on a single arching masonry span that still carries the active Adana–Ankara railway. It gained international recognition as the filming location for the opening train-fight sequence in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall. Views of the structure are best from the gorge floor or from the road above; the viaduct itself is an operational railway and is not open to foot traffic. A footpath descends into the gorge for close-up photographs of the arch and the river below.
Nearby Kapıkaya Canyon, accessible via a short additional drive deeper into the Taurus foothills, offers a dramatic narrow limestone gorge with a wooden boardwalk section, a small waterfall, and pine-shaded picnic areas. The canyon walk takes roughly 45–60 minutes at a leisurely pace. Morning light in the gorge creates excellent photographic conditions.
A practical itinerary combines both: arrive at the viaduct viewpoint by mid-morning, then drive to Kapıkaya Canyon for the boardwalk walk and a picnic lunch before returning to Adana by mid-afternoon. Hacıkırı village has a small tea house. The canyon boardwalk is generally manageable for visitors with reasonable mobility, though it is not adapted for wheelchair users. No entry fee is charged at the viaduct viewpoint; Kapıkaya Canyon may have a modest access charge collected at the entrance.
How to get there
- Car: northwest via Karaisalı to Hacıkırı village
- Private driver or tour from central Adana
- Combine the viaduct with Kapıkaya Canyon in one trip
Location
Hacıkırı, Karaisalı, 01770 Adana, Turkey
37.2430, 34.9768 View on map
Highlights
- Alman Köprüsü: a 98-metre-high 1912 railway viaduct arching over the Çakıt gorge in the Taurus foothills
- Skyfall filming location — the James Bond train-fight sequence was shot on this viaduct in 2012
- Kapıkaya Canyon's limestone gorge with boardwalk, waterfall, and pine-shaded picnic area
- Scenic mountain drive from the Çukurova plain into the Taurus foothills northwest of Adana
Tips for visiting
- Morning arrival gives the best photographic light on the viaduct arch from the gorge floor
- Do not attempt to access the viaduct structure itself — it is an active railway line
- Combine the viaduct viewpoint (30 min) with Kapıkaya Canyon (1 hr walk) in a single half-day outing
- A rental car or private driver is essential; no bus or dolmuş reaches either site
- Bring walking shoes for the canyon boardwalk and water for the gorge descent
When to visit
April through June for lush canyon greenery and the strongest waterfall in Kapıkaya. September and October offer clear skies and cool gorge temperatures. Summer is manageable if arriving early before the midday heat.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors walk on the Varda Viaduct?
No. The viaduct carries an active railway line and is closed to pedestrians. Visitors view and photograph the structure from the valley floor below or from the road above the gorge.
What is the connection between the Varda Viaduct and Skyfall?
The 2012 James Bond film Skyfall used the viaduct as the location for its opening action sequence. The 98-metre arch over the Çakıt gorge provided a dramatic backdrop recognised by film fans worldwide.
Is Kapıkaya Canyon suitable for children?
The main boardwalk section is suitable for older children with good balance. Some canyon sections involve uneven terrain. Very young children should be carried in a carrier on steeper stretches.
Are there facilities at either site?
Hacıkırı village has a small tea house near the viaduct viewpoint. Kapıkaya Canyon has basic picnic facilities and may have a small café at the entrance in season. Visitors should carry food and water for the canyon walk.