Antalya Natural Beauties

CAVES AND WATERFALLS

Karain Cave:

At a distance of 31 km. north-west of Antalya is the location of the Karain Cave. At the foot of the Katran Mountain range, on the border of Yağci Village, the limestone formations part to reveal a natural cave which served as a habitat for the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic people in ancient times and was also used as a temple to the mountain goddess. The Greek inscriptions on the outer surface and embedded in rocks testify to this. Digs have been continuing there since 1946. These have revealed the remains of a settlement over 50,000 years old. It is the largest cave in Turkey to have been inhabited. Some of the findings are on display in the little Karain Museum and others in the pre-history section of the Antalya Museum.

Karataş - Semahöyük Cave:

Situated in Alanya, this cave is also full of stalactites and stalagmites. Due to a humidity of 90% within the cave, it is said to be effective in the treatment of the respiratory system.

Damlataş Cave:
Situated in Alanya, this cave is also full of stalactites and stalagmites. Due to a humidity of 90% within the cave, it is said to be effective in the treatment of the respiratory system.

The Zeytintaşı cave is situated at the southern slope of Zeytintaşı Hill within the borders of Akbaş Village and the town of Serik. It has an altitude of 220 m.
The cave is 14 m bellow the ground and has two levels. The upper level is 136m including the side galleries and the lower one is 97 m long. The cave has many stalactites, stalagmites columns and dripstones. It is unique with its macaroni type stalactites of 0.03 m. in width and 0.70 m. in length.
It is discovered by a. Coincidence in 1997 while excavating for a stone quarry through a man made gallery of 10 m, hot and cold drinks and food are served as well.
It has a natural beauty and an untouched environment. It is quite convenient for tracking climbing and safari and safari tours as well as photo-safari tours for the wild animals.
The location of the cave and its environs has a typical Mediterranean climate, thus all types of Mediterranean plants grow here. The air and nature of place gives you the feeling of tranquillity and serenity.
The cave was formed on clear fault line covered by ancient Sura-Kretase limestone and is surrounded by impermeable elements both at the bottom and on the sides....
The cave is named after the Zeytintaşı Hill where it is located.
The cave is 54 km to Antalya, 16 km to Serik, 10 km to Aspendos and 28 km to Belek Tourism Centre (The Mediterranean).

Altınbeşik Cave and National Park
This cave was first explored and named by Dr. Temuçin Aygen, the founder of the Speleologist Association of Turkey. This cave is one of the biggest caves of Turkey and has an international reputation. By carrying out tests with coloured water it has been proved that the river in the cave is connected to Lake Beyşehir and also to the Manavgat River. The National Park is accessible via the Antalya-İbradı road, 7 km after İbradı, from Ürünlü. It takes about a one-hour walk to the entrance of the cave. The entrance has a deep lake extending for about 200 m. It is only possible to visit the cave with a local guide as it is still an active system.

The surrounding area of the Manavgat Valley is of great natural beauty, and some of the villages are impressive examples of the almost forgotten local architecture.

Accommodation is available in Akseki, Aydınkent and Ürünlü.

http://www.ibradi.gov.tr/ (Turkish, photos of the cave)

Dim Cave 
This cave has been surveyed and documented by a Cave Research Group of the Turkish Institute for Research and Development of Minerals and Metals (MTA) between 1986 and 1989. It is located about 145 km from Antalya and 13 km from Alanya, 215 m above sea level. The cave has beautiful formations of stalactites, columns and curtains. The Dim Cave is a natural and karstic cave. It was formed by the carbonic acid rich rain and snow waters running through the faults and joints dissolving the limestone rocks.
From Alanya the road to Kestel follows the green Dim Creek Valley, charming restaurants beside the river invite for a relaxing lunch.

http://www.dimcave.com.tr/english/index_eng.htm

http://www.mad.org.tr/ (Turkish / Cave Exploring Association)
http://www.i-s-c-a.com/ (International Show Caves Association)


WATERFALLS
All streams in the region find their way to the Mediterranean and flow down the slopes of the Taurus, sometimes above and sometimes underground until they reach their destination in the shape of spectacular waterfalls. There are more than 20 waterfalls in the region. The most beautiful of these are the Düden Falls (15 km north of Antalya), the Kurşunlu Falls (18 km from Antalya, on the Antalya-Alanya highway) and the Manavgat Falls (3km north of Manavgat).