Yazılı Canyon

Yazılı Kanyon takes its name from the writing - a Greek inscription cut into the rock face beside the old road through the gorge, quoting a maxim about hospitality and the traveller, which is the sort of detail that makes the walk worth doing slowly. The canyon carries a stream through steep limestone walls, and a path of a few kilometres follows it past a sequence of deep green pools, small falls and pine-shaded flats, with wooden bridges where the route crosses. The pools are cold and swimmable and the walk is easy by canyon standards - families do it. This was part of the ancient route between Pisidia and the coast, and the St Paul Trail runs through, so the gorge has been walked for a very long time. There are picnic grounds and a small campsite at the entrance. It is two hours from Isparta on mountain roads and it is quiet on weekdays.

What you actually see

• The green pools - deep cold water along the stream.
• The rock inscription - the Greek text beside the old road.
• The gorge path - the walk between limestone walls.
• The pine flats - shaded picnic ground along the water.

When to go

May to October; spring has the most water and autumn the best colour. Weekends bring local families and the picnic areas fill.

Honest expectations

The mountain road from Isparta is long and winding. Facilities are picnic grounds and a basic campsite. Water is very cold, and rocks along the stream are slippery.

Nearby

Lake Kovada is north toward Eğirdir; Sagalassos is west in Burdur province.