Paragliding on Babadağ
Having a holiday in the dreamland of Ölüdeniz means more than only swimming and lying next to the pool. Thanks to paragliding you can view this wonder of nature from 1975 metres above, before slowly descending. From this height you are not only looking at Patara Beach and Dalaman but also in clear weather you can see the island of Rhodes. There are agencies that organise paragliding with outlets at Ölüdeniz. You have to book a day ahead or in the morning to be able to take off into the air.
After a bit of training in the morning, in theory by experienced pilots, you are driven by jeep to the 1,700 metres high point on Babadağ (Father Mountain), your take off point. The road to that point is 25 kilometres long and is tough and rough and the trip up takes 50 minutes.
If the wind is not convenient at this level, you move another 200 metres up to summit at 1,900 metres. You put on your full body suit and helmet. Then you sit in the harness that is linked to the parachute and pilot. With the pilot pulling on the parachute it begins to fill, you run for a few steps, rise into the air and you are flying.
Once you start gliding in the air you feel an excitement but this is combined with the joy of the enchanting scenery, encompassing St. Nicholas Island, Ölüdeniz, Gemile Cove and Kumburnu. In order to be able to keep this extraordinary experience and the incomparable scene alive forever you should not forget to take along a camera or a video camera.
The adventure of flight that goes on with its minor ups and downs last about 30 minutes according to the wind.
The experienced pilots can go as high as 3,500 metres and their flying times can last about five hours. Wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sports shoes are recommended.
Babadağ and Ölüdeniz have drawn so many paragliders to the area that it is now the venue for a paragliding championship, with the International Air Games staged in Ölüdeniz taking place in October every year.
What about safety or risks and dangers? The facilities that teach or provide paragliding services have to have the Tourism Sportive Activities Certificate issued by the Turkish Tourism Ministry. All pilots have to have certificates of flying experience. Up till now, thousands of people have flown. The accounts of accidents are so low as to be almost zero.
Paragliding Companies:
Aventura Tel: 0252 617 03 14
Easy Riders Tel: 0252 617 01 14
Focus Tourism Tel: 0252 617 04 01
Sportif Havacılık (Ikarus) Travel Agency
Tel: 0252 617 00 18
Kelebekler Vadisi (Butterfly Valley)
One of the most striking places in the Fethiye region is Butterfly Valley. On the 8th of February 1995, the site was declared a first degree natural protected area and ant type of construction has been prohibited. The valley is rocky and pine covered and is a bit hard for climbing but it gives you an astonishing feeling to see millions of butterflies covering the trees and rocks like a soft colourful scarf. At first, you do not notice them at all and you think it is the natural look of the place. However, with one sound or movement the butterflies take off, covering the sky and casting a shadow over the valley.
By renting or using one of the shared boats that work like water taxis, you can go from Ölüdeniz to Butterfly Valley beach. This is also known as Kötürümsü Cove. In this half an hours trip you can also stop at the Mavi Mağara (the Blue Cave). You can give yourself to the green and blue waters of the cave. There are two paths that lead you to Butterfly Valley and to the foot of the 2,000 metres high Babadağ. One of them goes through a waterfall and the other through the village of Faralya. If you have no trekking or natural sports experience you should not try to climb to the higher parts of the valley and just be satisfied by getting to the first water fall. Those with self confidence and who cannot turn away from the extraordinary call of the valley should continue the trip up and will come across the stunning view we will now describe.But wearing professional trekking clothes or shoes and carrying professional equipments is highly advised.
The path that leads up to the village is really steep and there are couple of points where you need to climb up in the path. Do not take this if you don’t have mountaineering experience. However, the view from the village is really wonderful. Follow the signpost that says, "George’s House," and you might get very nice village food with your ayran.
There are no accommodation facilities at the Butterfly Valley beach. You can set up a tent or stay in makeshift bush and leaf covered shelters.
There is one restaurant set up on the beach in summertime. The owners will help you, showing the paths to follow.
Saklıkent (the Hidden City)
If one day you get tired of the heat of Fethiye do something different. Go to a very narrow and high canyon that cannot get the sunlight and walk through ice cold water. Go to Saklıkent.
Take the Fethiye-Antalya road towards Kemer. After driving for 25 kilometres take the turn to Saklıkent and, once past the sign for Tlos, drive another 10 kilometres to Saklıkent. On the way to Saklıkent you will see lots of restaurants on both sides of the road and you can get a gözleme and ayran
After you get to the village of Kayadibi you leave your car at the canyon entrance and pay your entrance fee. The Eşen Stream bursts forth 100 metres inside the canyon.
It flows so crazily in summer and winter that it makes it almost impossible to progress against the current. You walk on the wooden footpath attached to the canyon walls. You form a one person line and go to the location where the stream erupts. When you watch the picturesque view of the furiously and loudly flowing stream you can enjoy a gözleme ayran or a trout dish in the restaurant.
If you wish to do so you can cross the freezing water and progress towards the deeper part of the canyon. Do not neglect to get a pair of cloth or plastic shoes. However, if you do not have them tourism is at your service, you can buy or rent them in the "Plastic Shoes Sales Shop" at the entrance of the canyon. The canyon is quite long, with the path at times being rough. If you try to walk it all the joy may turn into a burden. It is the best to go for a few hundred metres and return after that.
However, if you rely on yourself, on your return throw yourself into the cold waters of the canyon and instead of using the walkway let the current carry you to the end of the canyon.
