Beautiful forest waterfall and nature park just outside Antalya, offering a cool, green escape from beach resorts. Follow wooden walkways through pine forest past cascading falls, natural pools, and lush vegetation teeming with turtles, fish, and birds. Family-friendly with picnic areas.
Kursunlu Waterfall Nature Park is a forested nature reserve located 19 kilometres east of Antalya city centre in Aksu district, Antalya province, Turkey. The park surrounds a series of cascading waterfalls dropping approximately 18 metres in two stages into a deep, vivid turquoise pool surrounded by dense pine, plane, and willow forest. The Kursunlu Stream that feeds the falls drains from the Taurus Mountains, and its cold, clear water creates an ecosystem rich in aquatic life including freshwater turtles, trout, carp, herons, and kingfishers.
A circular wooden walkway and paved path approximately two kilometres long connects the main falls with smaller secondary waterfalls downstream, passing over bridges that cross the stream at multiple points. The trail offers close perspectives on the falling water from multiple angles, including a viewpoint directly behind the upper falls where the spray catches the light. Picnic tables are positioned at intervals along the path, and the park is extensively used by Antalya residents as a weekend green space.
The main pool beneath the waterfall has a mossy, grotto-like quality enhanced by the overhanging plane trees. Swimming is not permitted to protect the ecosystem and water quality. A café and restaurant operate within the park near the entrance, and rental bikes are available for a separate cycling circuit through the forest above the falls.
The park entrance is free. The site is open year-round, though winter rainfall increases the waterfall flow significantly and the forest is most atmospheric in autumn colours from October through November. The falls are busiest on summer weekends when Antalya families use the park for picnics; weekday mornings before 10:00 AM offer near-solitude.
Visiting takes approximately one to two hours for the main circuit. Kursunlu combines naturally with a visit to the nearby Aspendos Theatre (47 km) or Perge ruins for a day trip from Antalya.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8:00-19:00 (summer), 8:00-17:00 (winter)
- Best for
- nature, families, photography, hiking
Location
Kursunlu Selalesi, Aksu/Antalya
36.9569, 30.8644 View on map
Highlights
- 18-metre waterfall cascading into a vivid turquoise pool with grotto-like atmosphere
- Two-kilometre wooden walkway circuit with bridges and viewpoints at multiple cascade levels
- Freshwater turtles, trout, herons, and kingfishers visible from the boardwalk
- Dense pine and plane forest providing natural shade throughout the site
- Picnic areas and café within the park — one of Antalya's most popular local green spaces
Tips for visiting
- Visit morning when water flow strongest
- Combine with Düden Waterfalls (different location)
- Bring mosquito repellent
- Swimming not allowed
When to visit
Spring (March–May) offers the highest water flow and the most spectacular falls after winter rain. Autumn (October–November) brings cooler temperatures and woodland colours. Weekday mornings are the quietest time year-round; summer weekend afternoons can be very busy with local families.
Accessibility
The main circular path is mostly paved and accessible by wheelchair, with some sections of wooden boardwalk. The bridges over the stream have low lips and are manageable with assistance. The viewpoint directly behind the upper falls involves a short unpaved descent that may be difficult for wheelchairs. Overall one of the more accessible natural sites near Antalya.
Frequently asked questions
Is swimming allowed at Kursunlu Waterfall?
Swimming is not permitted in the pool or stream to protect the aquatic wildlife and maintain water quality. Visitors can observe the turtles and fish from the walkway bridges and viewpoints.
How long does a visit to Kursunlu Waterfall take?
The main circuit path takes approximately one hour at a leisurely pace. Two hours allows time for the full trail, a café stop, and wildlife observation at the bridges.
How do visitors get to Kursunlu Waterfall from Antalya?
The park is 19 km east of Antalya city centre, approximately 25 minutes by car. Local buses from Antalya run to Aksu district, from which taxis can reach the park. Organised tours from Antalya frequently include Kursunlu as a stop.
Is Kursunlu suitable for children?
Yes — the waterfall pool, turtles, and fish are captivating for children, and the paved path is safe and easy for all ages. The picnic areas and café make it a comfortable family half-day. The walkway railings make it safe near the water.