Çoruh River, Artvin
Türkiye really is one of the best places on Earth for rafting and the Çoruh River is one of the best places for rafting in Türkiye. Set in Artvin, this rafting area attracts thousands of visitors for its epic beauty as well as its water sports. In fact, the Çoruh River, one of the fastest flowing rivers in the world, is considered second only to the Zambezi River in Africa for rafting.
About 450 kilometers long in total, the Çoruh River originates in the Mescit Mountains and empties into the Black Sea within the borders of Georgia. Within the borders of Artvin, the River is approximately 150 kilometers in length.
Starting from Bayburt and ending in Artvin, the rafting route features four tracks: the 106-kilometer track between Bayburt and İspir is considered a Class 2-3 in terms of difficulty. The 28-kilometer İspir-Çamlıkaya track ranges between Classes 3-4-5. The 44-kilometer Çamlıkaya-Tekkale track and the 83-kilometer Tekkale-Artvin track also range between Classes 3-4-5.
In addition to fast-flowing waters, visitors to the Çoruh River within the borders of Yusufeli can observe churches and castles along the riverbank in addition to the area’s lush nature.
Fırtına (Storm) Creek, Rize
Another important rafting center in Türkiye is Fırtına Creek, in Rize. The Creek is fed by the streams merging on the Black Sea side of the Kaçkar Mountains. The 60-kilometer-long Fırtına Creek empties into the Black Sea in the Ardeşen district of Rize.
The Storm Creek rafting track is approximately 25 kilometers, generally beginning around a kilometer south of Çamlıhemşin. As the stream bed is rocky, rafting in Fırtına Creek ranges from Class 3-4-5.
Duygulu Waterfall, at Kilometer 12 of the track, is an intriguing point of interest, but the route also features views of tea plantations and orchards and historical bridges.
Munzur Stream, Tunceli
Munzur Stream, in Tunceli, has emerged as a destination for avid rafters in recent years. The Stream originates from Ziyaret Hill in the Munzur Mountains, joins the Pulumur Stream in the center and flows into the Keban Dam Lake. While rafting is available throughout the year, the favorite season for rafters is autumn.
The Munzur Stream passes through Munzur Valley National Park, an outstanding representation of the beautiful nature of Tunceli. The Ovacık-Tunceli section of the Stream also features wildlife and unique flora, including numerous endemic species, and the Ovacık-Yeşilyazı section reveals the region’s famous birch groves, visible on both sides of the Munzer Stream.
The Stream’s most ideal rafting area is considered to be the 20 kilometer stretch between Aşağı Torunoba Sarıtaş and Halbori; this Class 3 track also features canyons, waterfalls and rock formations. In addition, 36 kilometers of the Munzur Stream have been declared an international rafting track. Last, the Munzur Stream is considered sacred by the people of the region.
Dalaman Stream, Muğla
Among Türkiye’s rafting areas, the Dalaman Stream – known in antiquity as the Indos – is probably the most prominent.
Located in Muğla, the Dalaman Stream originates in Koçaş Mountain and flows into the Mediterranean via Ortaca. The total length of the Dalaman Stream is approximately 230 kilometers and its water is almost always warm and clear, due to the natural limestone in the riverbed. Throughout the year, thousands of local and foreign tourists raft along the Dalaman Stream, which is in one of Türkiye’s most touristic regions.
The Dalaman Stream rafting track, with an average length of 8 kilometers, is accessible from Fethiye, Dalaman, Marmaris and Turunç. In the Akköprü Village section, the track divides; the upper track is considered Class 5, while the lower track is Class 3-4, and Class 3 when the track reaches Akköprü.
September and October are exciting months on the Dalaman Stream, as the water levels rise.
Melen Stream, Düzce
Melen Stream is also a prominent rafting destination in Türkiye. With its basin mainly located in Düzce, the Melen Stream empties into the Black Sea from an area called the “Melen Mouth”. The 60-kilometer-long Melen Stream is considered one of the safest rafting tracks in the country.
The Melen Stream rafting track is approximately 12 kilometers, with the first two kilometers offering an ideal track for beginning rafters to learn the sport. The remaining 10 kilometers are considered Class 3-4 in terms of difficulty.
The rafting track starts from Dokuz Değirmen village in Düzce and ends in Kocaali Beyler village, offering magnificent views of Düzce’s pristine nature along the way.
Stories knock at your door!
You can easily download images, and share on your social media accounts via your smartphone. Just press and hold the story, and save or share the image you have selected via the menu that appears.
