“Just don’t let go” and “pull yourself up” they shouted. I felt the pain in my fingertips, they were too tired. I felt myself falling down the cliff face, then snap, my climbing buddy caught me. I dangled on the rope like a worm on the end of a fishing line. I’ve never been so scared for my life as I was rock climbing in Turkey.
Now I am no expert at rock climbing and I hadn’t climbed since I was 16 years old but I felt like I was doing ok until we attempted a second climb here in Turkey, near Antalya. I am well known for not being scared easily and to me, rock climbing is all about trust and basically climbing from one hand and feet hole to the next. Well so I thought, but this was something else!
After a morning of climbing, I had decided to attempt a harder climb. This was unbelievably hard! My friends Maurice and Feliz were like mountain goats, leaping up the sheer rock face whereas I was more like a suicidal lemming.
I’m in the mountains above Antalya in Turkey, an area frequented by climbers. With routes clearly marked, there is a massive climbing community here. You can come alone and find a climbing buddy at one of the many campsites here. This also shows how rock climbing in Turkey is a favorite among tourists.
There are climbs for all skill levels and it is a great way to spend your day . . .and to build on your trust as you become the ‘holder’ of the rope for the climber.
If you haven’t got much experience with climbing then I would really recommend getting a guide to make the best out of your day and to teach you the safety required. Maurice, an expert climber and guide, comes highly recommended by myself and others. A speaker of a lot of languages, his personality will have you rolling down the rock face in laughter. It definitely made me feel more at ease rock climbing in Turkey.
So get yourself off the beaches in Antalya and up the mountain. There are many things to do in the area such as hiking, ghyll scrambling and rock climbing.
Disclaimer: I went rock climbing in Turkey with my friend Moris (Maurits) who is also a guide, on his day off with his wife. He is an excellent climber and guide who I can highly recommend. Check out Demavend Travel company which he works for who arrange adventure tours around Turkey.
I also went snow climbing in Turkey with Moris which you can read about HERE.
Eek! Your first photo totally freaked me out! A silly fear of heights. It looks 110% worth it but I could never do this and will have to continue to live vicariously through your amazing experience! Kudos to you for getting your climb on
Wow what an amazing experience – you must be so proud too! This looks like such a great adventure that I would love to try one day! Thanks for sharing!!
This looks amazing! I used to go rock-climbing at an indoor centre when I was a lot younger but have never branched out into the real world. I’d love to give it a try some day, though, and Turkey looks like it could be the perfect place!
Wow! What a fun adventure! I’d love to give climbing a go but I have terrible upper body strength! Good for you for trying the more difficult second hike too!
Despite it being scary, it sounds like you had a blast going rock climbing! I’m not the best rock climber myself, but this would definitely be a great experience! How would you say having a guide helped you?
Ahhh how dope is this?! I have never been rock climbing, but if I ever started it would be at an indoor facility, not in Turkey! lol I try to be as fearless as possible when traveling but I think this might have had me at my limit.
Oh my this looks so good, I am a big scrambler and do it in Wales. I have rocked climbed but always indoors, always keen to do it outside and you post makes me want to do it more. I also have been to Turkey but to go paragliding, however it did make me laugh when I read your comment that there is more to Turkey than just beaches in Antalya so true
OMG I’m hyperventilating just reading this! I give you so much credit for climbing. It looks like a beautiful view from those rocks – although I’d probably be too scared to actually enjoy it!