Saklikent (Hidden City) Gorge is the second-largest (20 km-long) gorge in Europe, the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey, about a 40 minutes' drive from Fethiye.  It is a spectacular place, with sculpted walls soaring high above. Four km. of the gorge is walkable after April when most of the snow from the Taurus Mountains has melted and passed through the gorge on its way to the Xanthos River.  Summer is the best time to visit as the canyon is deliciously cool and shady with cold water.

Enterprising locals have set up a series of wooden platforms suspended just a foot or two above the bubbling snow-melt of the Xanthos River. Decked out with Turkish rugs and comfy cushions and shaded by fig trees, they serve freshly-caught trout for lunch or supper and beer cooled by the ice-cold waters. All in all, quite a romantic place!

The gorge is open from the April 1 to September 30.  The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon to avoid tour groups in the high season (mid-summer). Be sure to wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet or sports sandals as the rubber shoes available for rent at the river bar but are not very comfortable.  You may also want to bring a change of clothes with you in case you get wet.

Whilst they charge for parking (and it can get very busy during summer), there is a small restaurant who's entrance is a few meters before the main car park. You can park there for free, and eat a snack and take a drink. This will cost you less than the car park, and the staff are friendly as it's a family run business. The walk to the gorge is about 1 minute further than from the official car park.