KÖPRÜLÜ KANYON / BEŞKONAK NATIONAL PARK

Köprülü Kanyon (Bridged Canyon) National Park is located at a distance of 65 km from Side on the hillsides of the Taurus Mountains. Within the Park flows the River Köprü, 120 km long, between the valleys and canyons. The National Park covers an area of 37 thousand hectares. Mount Dipoyraz located to the east is 2.980 m high, with its hillsides covered with forests. The river valley within the Park is 14 km long and, at places, 400 m high and in the form of a canyon with steep walls. The most important morphological characteristic at the site is this steep cleft valley. Over the canyons, on the graded land near Selge, are Labyas in karstic topographic form, the local name for which is “Devil’s Rocks”. The thickest Mediterranean Cypress forest in the world is here. This long and thin species of tree with a long life span has been processed since ancient times because of its superior quality. The flora of the National Park mainly consist of Red Pine, Black Fir, Cedar, Fir, Cypress, Ash, Holly Oak and Oak trees, along with Sessile Glandules, Wild Olive, Sandalwood, Strawberry, Gum Mastic, Locust, Bay, Myrtle, Mediterranean Medlar, Sloe Tree, Oleander, Pitch-pine, Wild Rose, Heather, Spurge, Tamarisk, Thyme, Blackberry, Fern and Chinaberry. The Chinaberry Tree, which is also known under the name “Kara Günlük (Storax)” was engraved on coinage as a symbol of the city during the ancient epoch of Selge. It is observed that the local people live off grape, wine, olive and timber trade and livestock dealing. As for the animal species of the fauna within the National Park, there are deer, mountain goats, pigs, bears, foxes, wolves, rabbits, martens, partridges, pigeons, woodcocks, turtle doves, eagles, falcons and carp, and there are trout production centres and restaurants at the mouth of the canyon. Rafting and canoeing sports are organised in the canyon today.

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Links to
- Wandering in Antalya
- Wandering in Turkey
- the Hitchhiker's guide of the Elftowners
- Where should I visit

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