Diyarbakır is the largest city in southeast Turkey, on the Tigris River, famous for its UNESCO-listed black basalt city walls and Hevsel Gardens, Ulu Cami, the caravanserai of Hasan Paşa Han and a rich Kurdish and Anatolian food culture. The old walled city of Sur is the heart of any visit.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Diyarbakır City Walls Circuit: Dağ Kapı to Mardin Kapı
A walk beside the black basalt walls of Sur, from the Roman-era Dağ Kapı towers toward Mardin Kapı and the Ulu Beden and Yedi Kardeş towers. Part of the UNESCO-listed Diyarbakır Fortress; wet basalt is slippery and some sections are closed for restoration.
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2
Hevsel Gardens Walk below the Walls
A gentle walk through the cultivated orchards of the Hevsel Gardens, about 700 ha between the fortress and the Tigris, on farm tracks with views back to the basalt walls. The land is farmed, so stay on tracks.
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3
Tigris Bank Walk to the Ten-Eyed Bridge
A riverside walk to the 172 m, ten-span basalt bridge over the Tigris, about 3 km south of Sur. The bridge is free to cross but shared with traffic, and the river current can be strong.
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4
Sur Heritage Walk: Gazi Caddesi, Ulu Cami and Hasan Paşa Han
An urban walk along Gazi Caddesi linking the Ulu Cami, the 16th-century Hasan Paşa Han, the Dört Ayaklı Minare and the Surp Giragos Church. Dress modestly for the mosques.
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5
Karacadağ Lava Road (Lav Yolu) Nature Walk
A volcanic-landscape walk on the Karacadağ lava fields near Çınar, with lava ripples, tunnels and caves. A day trip needing a car; facilities are minimal.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Flat or gently sloping paths on streets, park paths or farm tracks, suitable for most fitness levels.
Rough, unmarked volcanic ground and a longer approach by road, requiring sturdy footwear and self-reliance.
No technical or high-mountain routes were verified within a day trip of Diyarbakır.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Diyarbakır.
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Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Extreme summer heat; carry 2 litres or more and avoid walking between 11:00 and 16:00
Hazard: Wet black basalt on the walls and in Sur lanes is very slippery after rain
Hazard: Strong Tigris currents, especially March-May; keep out of the river, as no lifeguards operate
Hazard: Unmarked cave openings and sharp basalt on the Karacadağ lava field; wear boots and watch each step
Hazard: Fenced or closed wall sections and construction areas in the Hevsel Gardens; follow signage
Hazard: Stray dogs near farm tracks and villages; keep a calm distance