My visit to Saklikent Gorge still feels like one of my bigger travel mistakes. Guidebooks I had read described the canyon as a dramatic landscape: walls rising roughly 300 meters and a length of about 18 kilometers, earning it the name that translates to “hidden city.”
The gorge’s narrow formation means the sun barely reaches the rushing stream fed by the Akdağ Mountains, so even in high summer the water is icy cold.
In winter the canyon is off-limits because of dangerous floods, so timing is important when planning a visit.
While staying in Ölüdeniz I signed up for a guided excursion that combined Saklikent with the ruins of Tlos, the village of Üzümlü and the scenic Yakapark. The day was well organised: reliable transport and a guide who knew the area.
Arriving at Saklikent Gorge
At the entrance our guide led us beneath a small bridge to the canyon mouth. A metal walkway clings to one side of the rock, taking visitors to a stony section where you can, if you choose, wade through freezing water and walk several kilometres deeper into the gorge.
That’s where the dilemma hit me. The route involved stepping on slick rocks and moving through waist-high, fast-flowing water that could easily knock you off balance. As a solo travel writer with camera gear, I had to choose:
1: Put my equipment in a waterproof bag and forgo good photos.
2: Continue into the canyon and risk damaging my camera.
3: Admit I’d packed the wrong gear, turn back and call it a lesson learned.
All I could think about was my new DSLR. If it got ruined I would be devastated—and it would jeopardise the rest of my month-long Mediterranean trip. Solo travel is rewarding, but it can mean tough choices when safety and valuable equipment are involved.
Rather than risk it, I explored the nearby restaurant terrace and browsed the small shops. The owner of a souvenir stall handed me a leaflet for a rustic hotel nearby offering tents, camping spots and treehouses. The leaflet mentioned guided canyon treks, rafting trips, hiking trails and fishing—activities that promised a more immersive experience if I came prepared.
Saklikent is popular as a day trip from the coast, but that busy, schedule-driven approach left me feeling like I’d only scratched its surface. That’s one downside of group tours with fixed itineraries: limited time at places that deserve longer. I left eager to return with proper waterproof gear—a GoPro and better footwear—and to stay overnight so I could hike deeper into the gorge and try rafting or trekking with a guide.
Disclaimer: I write freelance for travel projects and occasionally collaborate with partners on destination features. This account is my personal experience in the Saklikent area.
