The ‘Hidden Valley’ where adventurers trek through frigid waters to discover a secret waterfall

In the most serene and sun-soaked destinations, we often find ourselves drawn to the darkness and chill of nature’s raw beauty. This paradox, paired with jaw-dropping vistas that flood your camera roll, helps explain the allure of Saklikent Gorge.

Nestled near Turkey’s southwestern 'Turquoise Coast,' a stunning stretch of the Mediterranean, Saklikent lies just beyond the usual tourist track, where visitors often lounge on the beach before returning home.

Some daring travelers go off the beaten path, and in under an hour of driving, they discover one of Turkey's most awe-inspiring natural wonders: a towering, narrow canyon with glacial river waters cascading down from the Taurus Mountains.

Stretching for about 18 kilometers (11 miles) and with cliffs rising up to 300 meters (984 feet), Saklikent is Turkey's largest canyon. Situated within its own national park, it’s often called the 'Hidden Valley' or 'Lost City.'

As summer arrives, the gorge becomes a popular spot for tourists and day-trippers who gather at its lower reaches for a refreshing dip in the cool waters, enjoy a riverside kebab, admire the towering canyon walls, and float down the river in inflatable tubes.

Many day tours include Saklikent in their itineraries, departing from coastal cities like Ankara, Fethiye, or Kaş, as well as smaller resorts along the way. However, these trips are typically brief.

For those with time and a taste for adventure, there are deeper, less explored chasms to discover. These spots are not for the faint-hearted or clumsy, but they offer an adrenaline rush and, once back in the sunlight, the satisfaction of having emerged unscathed.

'High danger'

Saklikent doesn’t pretend to be risk-free. Before and after entering, large warning signs highlight the potential dangers ahead. 'The first 500 meters of the canyon's trail are safe for children, provided they are with an adult,' the signs state. 'Beyond that, the risks increase.'

Even for adults, the warnings are stark. Anyone venturing over a mile upriver without a guide or proper gear 'faces significant risks to their safety and property.' While these signs deter many, others take them as a call to adventure.

The trail soon opens up into a vast natural basin where icy water flows in torrents from every direction. There are food stalls and picnic tables where visitors relax, dipping their feet in the chilly river while sipping hot Turkish tea.

Laughter and excited shouts fill the air as people frolic in the cool, gentle rapids, relishing the refreshing splashes before basking in the sun to dry off. As the day goes on, the crowds grow. It’s a lively, joyful atmosphere – but only when the weather is favorable.

'In winter, when the rains come, all of this is a washout,' says Salih Demirel, one of the guides who helps visitors navigate the higher parts of Saklikent. He recalls torrents of water sweeping through the picnic area following heavy downpours.

For this reason, Saklikent is best visited from late spring to early autumn. Even during the summer months, it’s wise to check the weather forecast, as sudden storms can pose risks – two people tragically lost their lives here in July 2014 after a rare summer flash flood.

Visitors are advised to wear hard hats, available for rent, though few actually do. Proper footwear is essential and can also be rented, but any shoes sturdy enough for climbing rocks and wading through water and mud will suffice.

Raging rapids

From the picnic area, an easy, flat path winds along the canyon floor, weaving between towering cliffs. Along the way, pools of water serve as impromptu mud baths for some, while others smear the gray sludge on the rocky surfaces, leaving handprints and simple artwork.

Then the journey gets more challenging – and truly breathtaking.

In some spots, the murky water stretches across the entire canyon, leaving no choice but to wade through without knowing how deep it may be. Naturally, unsuspecting legs stumble into hidden holes, bags are dropped, and children, perched on their parents' shoulders, cling tightly as the parents' faces twist in alarm.

At times, the canyon narrows, forcing adventurers to crawl beneath massive boulders that have crashed down from above and wedged themselves between the cliff walls. It can also grow dark as the sunlight struggles to reach into the constricting fissure.

After walking a few kilometers, the path leads into a chamber where the only way forward is to scale a series of tricky rock ledges, often slick with rushing water, and wade through deep, cold pools.

This is the point where the warning signs come into play.

At this stage, most visitors turn back. Those who choose to continue are encouraged to hire one of the local guides who are usually available to assist. While a guide isn’t mandatory, it can be invaluable when navigating this potentially dangerous terrain.

'We know where the water is too deep and where the most dangerous spots are,' says Kadir Suyabatmaz, one of the canyon guides. 'We witness many accidents and have had to carry people out with broken legs.'

Continuing with fellow guide Demirel leading the way, it’s clear why these precautions are necessary. The sheer rock walls pressing in from both sides and the rushing water create a nerve-wracking environment, even before you have to scramble up through a waterfall, searching for footholds and hand grips.

Demirel points out hidden ropes and assists with boosts on steeper climbs. He also finds safe paths through the wading pools. Eventually, the route opens into a vast cavern, shaped over millions of years by immense natural forces and scattered with massive boulders.

Up ahead, there’s a sliver of daylight. After one last climb over jagged rocks and a final splash through a shallow pool, the end of the journey is in sight.

A small waterfall greets those who make it this far, along with a low cave entrance suggesting that more adventures lie beyond – though further exploration isn’t possible from this point. The upper parts of the canyon can be explored, but not from here.

It takes about an hour to reach this point – a journey that’s nerve-wracking at times, yet equally thrilling and invigorating. The 30-minute return journey is just as exciting, with many of the same challenges in reverse.

The gradual return to warmth and sunlight feels like a well-earned triumph, especially when you reach the crowds near the entrance, most of whom will never experience the hidden wonders of the valley.