Köprülü Canyon Trail

Köprülü Canyon National Park, located approximately 90 kilometres northeast of Antalya in the Manavgat district, offers one of the most dramatic walking environments in Turkey's Mediterranean region. The park protects a 14-kilometre limestone gorge cut by the Köprüçay River, with canyon walls rising up to 400 metres and two remarkably preserved Roman bridges spanning the river — the 2nd-century Oluk Köprü (the main canyon bridge) and the Bugrum Köprü further upstream. The canyon trail follows the river valley on dirt tracks and narrow paths between the canyon walls, with walkers typically covering 3 to 10 kilometres depending on the section chosen and the time available. The terrain is flat to gently undulating along the canyon floor, with minimal elevation gain, making it genuinely accessible to most fitness levels. Surface underfoot alternates between compacted earth, river cobbles, and sections of ancient Roman road paving. Shade is plentiful from riverside trees, though exposed sections can be warm in midsummer. The most popular starting point is the Oluk Köprü bridge car park, reached via the D-685 road from Serik. Minibus services run from Antalya's otogar to Beşkonak village, from where a local taxi covers the final distance to the car park. No permit is required and the national park entrance fee is approximately 100 TL. Key highlights along the walk include the Roman bridge itself — still in use as a footbridge — the turquoise river pools ideal for swimming in summer, beekeeping villages on the plateau above the canyon, and traditional restaurants serving fresh trout caught from the river. The Köprüçay River is popular for white-water rafting, which shares the canyon simultaneously with walkers on busy days, adding to the lively atmosphere along the riverbank.