The Canyon Walk

We took this photo one morning after walking up to the top of the canyon with friends.  Our picnic backpacks were full of our breakfast and from memory we left at 7am.  It took us about 45 minutes to walk up.  If you are going to do the canyon walk you will need to be fit enough to walk up steep slopes that sometimes have loose stones.  In summer you really need to start early morning, before the sun is overhead and it is too hot.

These are my notes from my journal, written some time ago.    We found the walk by ourselves back in 2004, not knowing it was part of the Lycian walk.  We understand the route was used by villages and traders. Today we do not see anyone else walking but we have had close run-ins with goats.  The entrance to the canyon is down the road from Rosmarin.

What to do in Göcek | Strolling

We’ve called this ‘strolling’, as opposed to walking, because walking generally means at some sort of pace but we don’t have much of a pace. Anyway, when strolling we think we see much, hear and smell a lot more of our surroundings.

view from the top of the canyon walk

It takes us about 20 minutes to stroll down to the village and depending on the time of day about 40 minutes to stroll back up. Stroll may not be the correct word when talking about getting back up to Rosmarin with one's own leg but we are used to it and just think of what pert bottoms and firm thighs we will achieve. In summer we try to avoid walking in the heat of the day.


Early morning and evenings are special – the light, smells, sounds and comfortable temperatures.


If we feel energetic and have friends or family visiting we take them with us through the canyon to sit on the plateau for glorious views of Göcek bay and the 12 islands of Turkey. This is not a stroll, not a walk but more a climb. You don’t have to be a rock climber but you do have to be sturdy on your feet. The effort is well worth it and we often take up a bottle of wine and some sandwiches.

you may see a goat or herd of goats on your canyon walk



and you may see one of these plants on your walk - don't smell it though - it attracts and eats insects



In the village we go back to strolling. Strolling along the esplanade looking at the boats we would never be able to afford – such wealth is amazing. Strolling along the main street to the newsagent, to visit Mustafa at the post office, drop into Kebab Hospital for a coffee or beer or West Café for a variety of great food and drink.

you may also see a donkey on your walk back up to Rosmarin from the village

Strolling and then sitting -  a wonderful pastime.