rock climbing in geyikbayiri, turkey


The quite new climbing area Geyikbayiri in the mountains near the town Antalya in Turkey offers superb rock climbing. The culture and the people in the mountains can be a little bit hard to get to, but in this area of limestone there are more climbers than locals. Near the camping grounds the routes can be a little bit polished, but walk for 15 minutes and you get the most excellent climbing.
We stayed at the camping ground JoSiTo, and if you like German businesslike perfectionism and a lot of people, then it is a good choose. If you want a calm place, choose some of the smaller camping grounds in the area or rent a room in the village Geyikbayiri.

The area is far to hot in the summer and Turkey is best during wintertime, winter means a weather that can change so be prepared for some rain.
The climbing itself is a little bit similar to what you will find on Kalymnos, Greece, or in El Chorro in Spain. Both could be a alternative for winter journeys. Since the crags of Geyikbayiri is located further South it can be a little bit warmer but the area is in the mountain, so,.....
We spent the Christmas and New Year in the area, nights was quite cold (5 to 8 Celsius) and during mid day we climbed in short pants an T-shirts.
The local restaurants offers good food, quite expensive compared with the price in Antalya, and the hospitality and enthusiasm when we was visiting these local restaurants was so nice. Local camping grounds and the small nice food shop in the village offers beer, some of the local restaurants does not offers else than coca and water.

We took a cheap flight to Istanbul, and from there to Antalya. Istanbul airport was a really crowd place, with to much people, to much passport control and a queue system that is different from Europe. Don't take the same flight, and if so, count at least 3 hours for to be in time for the connection flight.
Buy the climbing TOPOS at the German camping ground, or buy it on Internet before you go there.

During resting days, take a walk up to some of many summits, during the winter that could mean snow, or take a walk and then the local cheap Bus to Antalya. If you stay in the valley, bring cash since no one accept card and the nearest mini bank is to be found in Antalya. All the camping grounds accept Euro.