Lycia, which is situated between Antalya and Fethiye, is famous not only for its historic and tourist values, but also with 'Beydaglari' that covers the whole area and consists of 4 groups of mountains, namely; Tahtalidaglar with Kizlarsivrisi reaching 3070 meters, Bakirdaglari, Central Beydaglari and south-west Beydaglari. If you like, we can go towards Bakirdaglari and get some information about the peaks of this chain of mountains together.

The reason for naming those mountains Copper Mountains is that in the spring and the summer, before the sun advances toward west and is about to rise, the surfaces of those mountains turn into a kind of copper red with the sun rays. Anyone wishing to see the colors of Beydaglari, where the ski-center is situated, should come to the 'Scenery Point' on the way to Saklikent, where the necropolis of Trebenna antique city is, and watch the peaks of Beydaglari while the sun is rising in September. Tourism agencies that organize tours in winter give their clients the chance of observing those mountains by providing a short stop there.

In order to reach Bakirdaglari, the first place to get to is the above mentioned Saklikent. To get to Saklikent, which is 55 kilometers from Antalya, it is advisable either to rent a car or to take the minibuses that take the peasants to the highlands in Summer.

Bakirdaglari is separated from the other chain of Beydaglari by 'Tunektepe' in the south, and Pozan Dagi (2774) in the south-west. On the other side of Tunektepe, Tahtalidaglar,and from Pozan Dagi, Central Beydaglari begin. Let's have a look at the Bakirdaglari one by one.

Tahtali Dagi (2366 m.)

Tahtalidag, which was called "Tasolyma" in antiquity, is one of the biggest members of "Tahtalidaglar" chain that lies north-south of Antalya Bay. It rises sharply from the sea and reaches a height of 2366 meters, so it can be seen from every direction with its full magnificence. There is no other mountain above 2300 meters and so close to the sea.

The parts which are 1700-1800 meters from the sea level are covered with forests. Above 1800 meters, rocky areas begin. The main summit shapes the peak like a conical hat. Some flat areas on the way to the summit are suitable for camping. Since it is difficult to find water in May, campers should take some water with them. Next to the flat areas there are lime holes called "dolin". The sight of those lime holes when filled with snow in the winter is magnificent. Its southern part is slightly sloping. Although the east and the west sides are steep, the north is rocky. Incline is 70 degrees from place to place, only at certain places it is 50-80 degrees. For this reason a climber should have suitable equipment with him before an attempt to climb the north side of this mountain. There are some other heights of more than 2000 meters around Tahtali. They are; Dazkir Tepesi (2014 m.) and Teke Dagi (2155 m.). Both of them show the physical characteristics of Tahtali mountain very well.

HOW TO CLIMB TAHTALI

In order to climb Tahtali, the first place one has to get is Beycik Koyu in Kemer. Beycik, which is 830 meters high from the sea level, is a pretty village in a pine forest. It is reached after traveling on the Antalya-Finike highway for 65 kilometers taking the side road that leads to the village. The road is asphalt for about 4 kilometers. After spending a night at the village, one has to get up early. By following the path, passing through the pine forest first and then the cedar forest and going up, one gets to the bare area at a height of 1700-1800 meters. Before leaving the village, the villagers should be consulted about the path that lead to the forest. There is a well watered highland called Emzik Cesme at the border of pine and cedar forests at a height of 1270. On getting to this highland, where the local people come to spend their summer, and where there is a fountain with pergolas around, one sees that there is only one path leading up. If the red marks on the paths are not followed the mountain can not be climbed, because only this path goes through a pass on the east side of the mountain. There is no other pass except this one. On passing through this passage and reaching the flat area, a huge cedar tree of 100 years old welcomes you. At the end of this pass and upon turning left, the cedar trees are passed and a bare area of 1700-1800 meter height is reached. If one goes up from here it is not difficult to get to the ridge that extends along east to west. After getting there, the main summit of 2366 meters can be reached in 4-7 hours.

PLACES TO BE OBSERVED FROM THE SUMMIT

The summit of Tahtalidag is not very wide, besides it is open to every kind of air current. Unfortunately there is not a diary on this summit, because all the diaries placed here in the past were lost. Whatever the weather conditions should be, except for unusual conditions, clouds usually cover this mountain. It may be because of its closeness to the sea. Tahtalidag is covered with clouds even on the sunniest days, while no other mountain has any clouds. Naturally this prevents the observation of this mountain. If the weather conditions are suitable, one can perfectly see the beautiful coast that extends from Serik to Manavgat in the east. In the south, Finike Bay is in front of you. Various size inlets ( Phaselis, Olympos, Ceneviz Harbor), bays ( Adrasan, Finike), beaches, sandy coasts and shores between Antalya and Finike offer spectacular scenery. In the west, central Bey Daglari, and towards the north Bakirdaglari presents a fantastic sight. Especially the scenery of Tuncdagi (2649) and Bakirtepe (2547) is wonderful. The highest point in Antalya is Kizlarsivrisi (3070) and can easily be observed at the central part of Merkezi Beydaglari, but not as a sharp point but similar to a fist. It is seen as a sharp point only from the west.

A MYTH ON TAHTALIDAG

A few kilometers after passing Beycik turn, a road sign shows a left turn to Cirali. Following the road down about 7 kilometers, Cirali Koyu is reached. On going north from Cirali about 2 kilometers, one comes across a U shaped mountain. The side of this mountain which faces the sea is green, but the other side is not. It is only soil. After you pass the last row of houses, a road consisting of two wheel tracks of carriage attracts one's attention. If you follow this road you will enter this U shaped area. When this road ends, pine forests begin. From this point on, if you follow the path with red signs for about half an hour, you will arrive at a place of 250-300 meters high where a group of fires is flaming. According to Anatolian mythology these interesting, widespread fires have been flaming for over 3500 years.

Bellerophon, the son of the king of Argon, kills his own brother at a hunting party by accident and so is sent into exile. He crosses the Aegean sea and comes to Anatolia and starts a new life. He works as a servant for one of the kings in the area. He is said to be very handsome by several sources. For this reason the king's wife falls in love with him. She shows her love to this young man, but he is honest enough not to have an affair with her. He refuses her proposals. The queen gets angry and accuses him of forcing her to have an affair and that she hardly saves herself. The king becomes furious, but doesn't want to kill him. Being falsely accused by the wife of this king, he is sent to the court of Iobetes in Patara, carrying with him a sealed letter requesting that he be put to death. Bellerophon comes to Xhantos and delivers the letter to the king. When the king gets the letter he is very surprised. He is affected by Bellerophon's honesty and purity, and so the king doesn't want to kill him. By way of executing his commission Iobetes sends him to destroy the monstrous Chimera that used to live in Tahtalidag. Chimera is a creature that has a head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a snake. Scorching flames rush out of its mouth and nose. Accepting this mission, Bellerophon sets out. On the way he catches Pegasus and flies to the site to meet Chimera. Chimera, on seeing them tries to kill them by sending his scorching flames. Bellerophon observes every movement of this monster near the summit of the mountain. He prepares his arrows and has an attack on this monster. He throws his arrow with such a great force that the leaded arrow goes through its mouth. The stomach of the monster is scorched. This awful monster falls down and dies but even now flames still continue to come out of his mouth, although its body is decayed.

Some sources have claimed that the first sacred fire used in the Olympic games was brought from here.

Bakirtepe (2547 m.)

It is the second largest member of Bakirdaglari. It stands vertically to the south of Saklikent. Of the Bakirdaglari it can be said to be the easiest to climb. Its northern part which overlooks Saklikent is very steep and rocky. The peak seen from here is called "Manzara Zirvesi" (scenery peak) (2480). On the eastern part of Manzara Zirvesi, there is a second peak called "Manzara Kayaliklari" (Scenery Rocks). The eastern part of Bakirtepe is slightly, and the western side is partly sloping, and the other parts are rocky. If one goes towards south from Manzara Zirvesi and after passing 3 rocky areas the main peak of 2547 meters can be reached.

The first place to get to Manzara Peak is Saklikent. After leaving Saklikent, one has to turn west and then continue up and shortly afterwards a height of 2480 meter is reached. Here, there is an observatory of TUBITAK. Though it might be a bit tiring after Saklikent, and also requires technical equipment for climbing in the winter, the Neslihan Bogazi route in the north may be preferred. After leaving Neslihan Bogazi one can get to Manzara Zirvesi and then go south and reach the main peak. A diary is provided there.

Saklidoruk (2503 m.)

Saklidoruk, as a peak, is a solitary mountain that rises between Bakirtepe and Tuncdagi. It is the third largest member of Bakirdaglari. When observed from Konyalti Public Beach in Antalya, it can hardly be noticed between Tuncdagi and Alabelen. Saklidoruk is named as "Curuk Bel" by the local people. Actually it is like part of Tuncdagi that is seperated with a sunken fault.

In order to get to Saklidoruk, one has to walk about 2 kilometers of the 7 kilometers long road between Saklikent and Karcukuru highlands. Then climbing becomes easier on walking north. From its peak the sight of Bakirtepe, Tuncdagi and Alabelen Mountains is marvellous. Especially in clear weather the scenery of Konyalti Beach and the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea leaves unforgettable memories with the climbers.

Alabelen (2422 m.)

Although it is one of the smallest members of Bakirdaglari, this expedition takes the longest. The mountain starts to rise from Karcukuru Yaylasi on the north of Tuncdagi. When observed from Antalya we see its ridge extending north to south. As one approaches Konyalti Beach, it may not be seen clearly because "Geyiksivrisi" hinders the sight.

The biggest peak of Alabelen is to the south of this extension. On one side of the peak there is a huge hole in the ground. When one throws a stone into, the echo gives the impression that it opens into a cavern.

To climb this mountain, the first spot to get to, as in Tuncdagi, is "Karcukuru Yaylasi", From Karcukuru Yaylasi, by taking the south route, one can reach 2422 meter in two hours. If there is enough time, one can walk from the peak to the north.

Tunc Dagi (2649 m.)

Tuncdagi is the highest mountain. It starts from Konyalti, one of the famous beaches of Antalya and rises from the sea right away in a magnificent way. It is, at the same time, an Olympos ( so-called sacred mountain in the ancient times.). It has 3 peaks and the one in the middle is the highest. Apart from the peaks 2640, 2648, 2649 in order, has another peak of 2519 meters in the east. It is called "Bereket Zirvesi" (Peak of Blessing).

Tuncdagi is called with different names by the local people such as; Beydagi, Kemikli Dag, Feslegen Dagi, Bereket dagi and Develi Dagi. The northern part is slightly sloppy and in this area there are two snow passes. The southern part is very steep and so technical equipment is essential to climb. The western part, except the outskirts down below, it is slightly sloping. In order to reach the mountain, the first place to get is "Karcukuru Yaylasi" (Yukari Doyran Yaylasi, Bahtili Yaylasi) that is 7 kilometers to the east of Saklikent. It is possible to find local minibuses (called Dolmush in Turkey) from Antalya during the summer months. On getting to the highland of 2030 meter height camping is possible; hence a three hour climb from Karbogazi I is also possible. At the end of a direct climb to the main peak, at a 2600 meter height a beautiful flat area is observed between the peaks of 2649 and 2648 meters.

Mountaineers from Antalya have climbed Tunc Dagi several times. It has gained popularity to make camp on the flat area at the height of 2600 meters and return the next day. In 1988, at a height of 2648 of the peak of that mountain, named Cataltepe, a diary was placed for the memory of Recep Catak who had lost his life on Mount Ararat and another peak at a height of 2616 is named "Kayatepe" after Adnan Karatepe, Izmir City Mountaineering Representative. This peak has also got a diary.

Ardictepe (1960 m.)

It is the smallest member of Bakirdaglari. It rises up from the north of Alabelen. In comparison with the other members of Bakirdaglari, Ardictepe has the widest forest area. The peak of Ardictepe, which is shown as Karadag on maps and called Baklacik Dagi by the local people, is completely bare. The name Ardictepe gets its name from the juniper trees that cover the mountain almost up to its peak. Pine trees can only be seen on the lower outskirts.