Şile Hiking Trails
When Şile, whose Greek name is Philee, comes to mind, Istanbul on the Anatolian side is a weekend getaway, but actually the historical Eastern A district of Istanbul dating back to the Roman Empire.. For example, the distance between Şile and Kadıköy is approximately 62 km.. The district that comes after Şile is also very close to Ağva.. Although it is about 30 km from the center of Şile, one of the mountain villages of Şile Ağva can be up to 3 km.
The word Philee was actually a wild flower like thyme.. In Şile, where you can see all kinds of flowers, especially in the spring, there are waterfalls, ponds, the sea, and most of all, the vast green of nature.. Thus, you can find many alternatives for Şile camping areas.
Don’t be surprised if you see smoke from place to place in these natural beauties.. Because some of the people in Şile earn their living from charcoal.. The carefully stacked oak woods that you will probably see on the roadsides resemble small tents.. Then the wood is covered with soil or leaves and it is ensured that it does not get air.. With the fire coming from the middle, they burn for about 10 days, and thus, charcoal, which is indispensable for barbecues, is produced.. It will be better if you do the places to visit in Şile according to the weather conditions..
In Şile, where Zeki Müren is also a regular, we went from village to village and researched where to go hiking. “Come on, what are you waiting for!” We said and listed our suggestions:
Sarıkavak Village
There is a historical mill from 188 on the track starting from Sarıkavak Village and a waterfall formed by the water coming to the mill.. On the opposite hill of the village are the ruins of a Roman castle.. The part of the walking track up to the mill follows the stream, and after the mill it passes through Demircili Village and is completed in Sarıkavak Village.
Erenler Village
Erenler Village The trek begins by following the forest road going from . to Darlık Dam.. The dam lake is followed for 3 km.. If you follow the road going north from this road, you will reach Saklıgöl.. Chestnuts can be collected at the end of October.
Kutluca Village- Taşköprü
In the canyon, located in Kutluca Village, one of the last villages of Gebze in the direction of Şile, a 2000-year-old Roman period canyon Located in Taşköprü. After starting the canyon under this Taşköprü and proceeding for 5 km, the Çobangeçidi Canyon is entered.. Since this canyon is a bit challenging, you can complete the track in 9 km by following the road leading to Elbizli Village.
Karamandere- Saklı Göl- Teke Köy
Trail It is an easy track of about 12 km. There is also a facility on the dam on the road to be followed from the edge of the Darlık pond and the dirt road in the forest.. It will end in Teke Village.
Onbirgöller Valley and Hacilli Waterfalls
The natives of Hacilli, like the people who migrated from Karaman province, in the Black Sea coastal villages They migrated from the group called Manav.
When you turn from the Göksu-Hacıllı sign at the end of the 6 km walking path, Ubeyli Village, you will arrive at Hacilli Village after 7 km.. You will follow the dirt road descending from the right of the mosque in the village.. When the road starts to curve to the right while going downhill, you can reach the creek faster by not following the road and taking the path right in front of you.. Ballıkayalar is located across the walking path.. The rocks of Ballıkayalar are named after the cracks in the triassic limestones because the bees make honey.. Triassic fossils of 300 million years old were found in Hacilli rocks.. These fossils, which can be seen by professional mountaineers, are examples from the transition years between the life forms of the Paleozoic and the Mesozoic. Take the stream to your right and continue your walk until the wooden bridge.. After crossing the bridge, follow the limestone path along the Göksu coast.. When the road meets the river for the second time, you will cross here. By following the valley upwards, you will reach the waterfalls and the province you see will start with the lake region.. Nazlı Lake, Serin Lake, Kayalı Waterfall are some of them.. You can also swim, especially in the third pond.. On the east side of the pond, Gürlek Cave, one of the first Christian prisons, has its mouth 10 meters above the ground. During the time of the Eastern Roman Emperor Diocletian (284-305), the caves in Şile and its surrounding villages became a natural shelter for the first Christians.. The soldiers imprisoned their captures in the caves here.. The cave, which is 241 meters long, was discovered in 1985 by the village teacher.. Bones found in the cave. The track ends by returning to Hacilli Village.
In addition to endemic plants in this region, you can see Marjoram (Origanum Heracleoticum), a blue colored thyme-like flower.. This area is ideal for camping in general.
Kilimli
The walking path to the east of Ağva is 5 km and you can reach Kilimli Hill or Karapınar Hill. It is necessary to cross from the Ağva Port to the opposite side of Yeşilçay Stream.. For this, you can cross by boat by paying a fee of 1 TL next to the Liman Restaurant, which is located at the point where Yeşilçay Stream meets the sea.. After getting off the boat, you can reach Kilimli Bay by following the forest road and the coastline, crossing the cliffs.. There is also a facility in the bay.. If you wish, you can pitch a tent in Kilimli Bay.. This walking route includes giant rocks, tiny coves, natural bridges and pools.. You will also witness a natural sculptural view of the rocks along the shore. The most famous of these is Bride Rock, which is now headless, formed by the wind and waves of limestone rocks.. You should definitely watch the sunset here.
Ağva has been a place where many civilizations such as Hittites, Phrygians, Romans and Ottomans passed.. B.C. 7. Ruins dating back to the 19th century can be found in the surrounding villages.. One of them is the sarcophagus showing the Roman settlement at the point where the walk started.. The 4.5 km long track can be completed at the starting point by returning from Karapınar Hill.. The first walking track, which is 2 km long, reaches the lighthouse, the symbol of Ağva, by following the pathway in the forest.. Yeşilçay, Göksu creek and Ağva beach can be seen from the lighthouse.. At the top of the lighthouse, you can see the necropolis of the old settlement of Ağva, sarcophagi, caps, column heads and other remains.. The second part of the track is completed after a 2 m walk from the lighthouse to Kilimli Restaurant.. In the second part, you will see different structures formed by Paleocene aged white limestones formed 60 million years ago.. 40-50 meters of white limestone cliffs, natural bridges, caves and bays are also part of this track.. In addition, the ruins of the Ancient Greeks, Romans, Genoese who settled in Ağva and the foundation stones of ancient works are also spread in this region.. 14. The Turks, who settled in the region in the 19th century, preferred the current Agva plain as a settlement.. You can return to the starting point from Kilimli Restaurant.
Dudu Bayırı Hill (Forest of Thousand Year Trees)- Lovers Path
2 km long hiking route, Göksu Creek It starts from the bridge on the east side of. You can reach Dudu Bayırı Hill on the opposite side by following Karaağaç Street for 600 meters.. After the walk, follow the signs on the right and enter the Thousand Year Trees Forest.. Pathways will lead to the monument tree. Then, climb the hill until you reach the dirt road and when you go down the dirt road to the left, Yeşilçay Stream will be on your right.. At the end of the road, you will come to Karaağaç Street.. The place where you turn right and cross to İskele Caddesi, which is opposite, will be Rıhtım Caddesi, i.e. Lovers Road, which runs parallel to Yeşilçay Creek for 2 km.. When you walk towards the sea, the side streets will take you to the center of Ağva.
Kurfallı Forest
The track starts by entering the forest from the slope of Kurfallı Hill.. The track, which is approximately 2 km long, you can continue downhill in the north direction from the left of the ‘Little House’.. There are pancakes at the end of the road. You can climb the opposite hill and go to the Kurfalli dunes.. Afterwards, you can either follow the stream and see the place where the Göksu Stream meets the sea and return to the center of Ağva or to the starting point.. If you continue in the north-east direction of the Little House, you will arrive at Nehir Boyu Caddesi.
Avcıkoru Nature Park
Avcıkoru Nature Park, which can be preferred in spring and summer, is a 650-hectare Nature Park. built on the field. You can also stay in country houses in the park.
Ulupelit Village
The walking route in the forest, which starts at the Green Valley facility in Ulupelit Village, takes approximately 3.5 hours and is still the same. It ends at the facility.
Şile Balkaya Waterfalls
The easy walking route along the creek side along the Balkaya Waterfalls in Tepemanayır Village, located between Gebze and Şile, is about 10 km long. .. It is possible to swim in the waterfalls and ponds.
Duraklı Canyon Dere Trekking
You can swim in waterfalls during the approximately 10 km long creek canyon walk.
Orhanlı – Yaka
The 14 km hiking trail that starts from Gebze Orhanlı Village will pass through Değirmençayırı plateau and will be completed in Şile Yaka village.
Also, Akçakese and Kumbaba can be considered for Şile beaches. .