30 June, Gϋrϋn to Darende, 37km
Otel Darende 60TL

“Bayan yok” (ladies no). How to spoil my day in one. We are in Darende, a town of 29,000 with a beautiful canyon in its backyard. Through the canyon runs a river. Wooden walkways lead you through trees along the river bank between rock cliffs. My admittedly dated Lonely Planet mentioned a purpose built rock pool in which one can swim. I had been thinking about that rock pool all the hot day long. Things have changed since my edition was published. Now three blue swimming pools cling to the canyon wall. Strolling the canyon in the early evening, bathing costumes in our daypack, we were allowed access to view the pools, but then told only Charl could swim in them. My bad temper was somewhat mitigated by the delicious trout meal we were served on the riverbank, our food being delivered at 20:07 according to Ramazan fasting rules. Amazing scenery on this short day. Our road ran initially with a river down a narrow verdant valley bracketed by dry hills. Then we climbed into inhospitable terrain, dropping down a too steep road into the oasis that is Darende.

Between Gϋrϋn and Darende

Between Gϋrϋn and Darende

Between Gϋrϋn and Darende

Between Gϋrϋn and Darende

Darende - Tohma Canyon