Gökçe Gemile Trekking

Trekking at Gökçe Gemile

If you enjoy a leisurely 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 some of the most awe-inspiring trekking terrain.

Quite literally, Gökçe Gemile has an abundance of glorious walks, brimming with nature and wildlife, right on its doorstep. You just have to step through the gate and you will immediately find yourself surrounded by 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 negotiate a trail, you are almost guaranteed to find a breathtaking view waiting for you. There is also a wealth of flora and fauna, with many plant species endemic to this region. If you come in early summer, expect to be dazzled by the wonderful array of wildflowers and trees heavy with blossoms.

The start of the Lycian Way is just a few kilometers from Gökçe Gemile, and there are plenty of way-marked trails through the forests and countryside, all teeming with remarkable nature 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 compelled to leave, as were the Muslims of Greece, in what historians now refer to 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 birdwatching.

Guests wishing to explore the wild landscape in this part of the world can request the Gökçe Gemile concierge service to organize 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 choose to venture out alone, always let someone know 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. Additionally, it is one of only two regions in this part of the world where Liquidambar 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
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 found 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: