Trekking at Gökçe Gemile

If you like a stroll, a brisk walk or perhaps a more strenuous trek, don’t forget to pack your walking boots, hiking poles and a hat when you come to stay at Gökçe Gemile. You see, you don’t have to go very far to find the most awe inspiring trekking country.

Quite literally, Gökçe Gemile has an abundance of glorious walks, brimming over with nature and wildlife, right on its doorstep. You  just have to walk through the gate and you will immediately find yourself surrounded by of some of the most beautiful countryside, spectacular walking routes and extraordinary history in the Mediterranean.

In this part of Turkey hardly anywhere is flat but once you negotiated a trail you are almost guaranteed to find a break-taking view waiting for you. There is also a wealth of flora and fauna and many plant species are endemic to this part of Turkey. If you come in the early summer expect to be bowled over by the wonderful array of wild flowers and trees heavy with blossom.

The start of the Lycian Way is within a few kilometres of Gökçe Gemile and there are plenty of way-marked trails through the forests and countryside, which are full of wonderful nature, all of which is on an impressive scale.

If you are interested in history as well as walking, visit the abandoned hillside settlement of Levissi, in the Kayaköy valley. Here, back in 1923, the Greek Orthodox Christian community who lived in this small town were (as in the rest of Turkey) compelled to leave, as were the Muslims of Greece, in what has become known by historians as the Population Exchange. It was in Levissi that the British author Louis de Bernières was inspired to write his classic novel, Birds Without Wings.

You may want to bring your binoculars too, as there will be many opportunities for a spot of bird watching.

Guests wishing to explore the wild landscape in this part of the world can request the Gökçe Gemile concierge service to organise a trekking expedition, where guests will be accompanied by a qualified and knowledgeable guide.

This is a wild, rugged and remote part of the world. If you do choose to venture out alone, always tell someone where you plan to go, dress appropriately, take plenty of water and never forget to carry your mobile phone with you.

Local wildlife

Flora

Gökçe Gemile is surrounded by Maquis, carob trees, olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods.

In Af Kule and Gökçe Gemile alone there are 33 indigenous plant species. Among these are a species of snowdrop, as well as a type of pink daisy.  Also, it is one of only two regions in this part of the world where Liquid Ambar trees can grow.

Other examples of flora growing in this area include:

Ceanothus spp. (mainly Ceanothus tomentosus)
Big-berry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca)
Scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia),
Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum)
Silk-tassel bush (Garrya flavescens)
Garrya veatchii
Mountain-mahogany (Cerocarpus betuloides)
Soapbark Tree (Quillaja saponaria)
Cactus (Echinopsis chiloensis)
Bromeliads of genus Puya Trees
Peumo  (Cryptocarya alba)
Boldo (Peumus boldus)
Mayten (Maytenus boaria)
Chilean Wine Palm (Jubaea chilensis)
Mallee eucalypts
Melaleuca spp.
Acacia spp.
Hakea spp.
Dryandra spp.
Banksia spp.
Isopogon spp.

Fauna

Examples of fauna growing in this area include:

Fox
Hare
Hedgehog
Wild boar
Tortoise
Wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis)
Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita)
Anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus)
Mediterranean, Lebanon viper (Montivipera bornmuelleri)
Black whip snake (Dolichophis jugularis)
Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus)
Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)

Birds

The area around Gökçe Gemile is also a popular stopover for many migratory birds. Some of the birds that may be seen depending on the time of year include:

Eleonora’s Falcon
Syrian serin (Serinus syriacus)
Slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris)
Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni)
Azores bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina)
Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita)
Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti)
Imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti)
Raso lark (Alauda razae)
Horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale)
Bonelli’s eagle
Eurasian jay
Wood pigeon

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