Köprülü Canyon National Park (Oluk Bridge and Selge)

Köprülü Canyon is a 14 km gorge cut by the Köprüçay, the ancient Eurymedon, through the Taurus Mountains, about a 1.5-hour drive from central Antalya. The national park around it mixes pine and cypress forest with clear turquoise water, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism calls the river ideal for rafting. Higher up, a single-arched Roman bridge, the Oluk Bridge, still spans the gorge on the old road to Selge, a hill city whose theatre is its best-preserved building. Our rafting, zipline and jeep safari combo covers the river in one day from Antalya.

Key details at a glance

A short history

According to Strabo, Selge was founded by Spartans, and it grew into the strongest city of Pisidia, able at one time to put 20,000 men into the field. Ancient writers say it never bowed to a foreign power. When Alexander the Great passed through in 333 BC, Selge sent an embassy and won his friendship; it was then at war with Termessos. In 218 BC it ended a long siege by Achaeus by paying 400 talents, with 300 more to follow. Its coins show it still flourishing under Hadrian, and in the 5th century AD it was strong enough to drive off a band of Goths. Selge was known for olive oil, wine, storax resin and an ointment made from iris root, and it later became the seat of a bishop.

The Oluk Bridge dates from Selge's best years, since its building technique points to the 2nd century AD: a single arch of about 7 m, 14 m long and 3.5 m wide, with stones set without mortar, high above the river. The park itself was declared on 12 December 1973.

What to see in the national park

• The canyon. Between the villages of Bolasan and Beşkonak the river runs through walls up to 100 m high for 14 km. Tazı Canyon also lies inside the park.
• The forest. Pine, cypress and cedar cover the slopes, and the Mediterranean cypress forest, about 400 hectares, is the park's most important plant community.
• Wildlife. Deer, mountain goats, bears, foxes, wolves, rabbits and badgers still live here, and the river holds trout.
• The Oluk and Büğrüm bridges. Both carry what is left of the ancient stone road that linked Selge with the plain of Pamphylia; the Oluk Bridge stands 7 km beyond Beşkonak.
• Selge. In Altınkaya village you find the theatre, restored in the 3rd century AD, along with the agora, the temples of Zeus and Artemis, cisterns, and stretches of the city wall and acropolis.

Rafting on the Köprüçay

On our combo day you ride a jeep up into the Taurus Mountains, raft down the Köprüçay through the canyon, stop for lunch by the water and finish on a zipline over the trees. Qualified instructors lead each part, and no previous experience is needed. Rafting equipment, safety gear, lunch and hotel pick-up in central Antalya are included; drinks at lunch and photo or video packages are extra.

The tour page does not state a minimum age, a weight limit for the zipline or whether non-swimmers can raft, so tell us the ages and needs of everyone in your group before you book. The run includes stretches of white water as well as calm, clear sections where the rafts drift.

How to get there

From Antalya. The Ministry's route follows the coast road towards Manavgat, then turns inland through Taşağıl to Beşkonak. Beşkonak is 86 km from central Antalya (about 1 hour 20 minutes without stops) and 78 km from Antalya Airport; GoTürkiye puts the canyon at a 1.5-hour drive from the city centre.

From Side, Manavgat or Belek. Beşkonak is 59 km from Side (about an hour) and 55 km from Belek.

To the bridge and Selge. The Oluk Bridge is 7 km past Beşkonak, about 15 minutes, and Altınkaya, where Selge's ruins lie, another 11.5 km, about 30 minutes. With a rafting tour you are driven to the river; for the bridge and Selge, a car or a private driver is the simplest way.

When to go

Rafting is a warm-weather trip. Antalya's long-term average high is 34.2 °C in July and 34.1 °C in August, with almost no rain, so a day on the river is a good way to escape the heat; June (30.8 °C) and September (31.2 °C) are almost as warm. For walking at Selge, May (25.7 °C) and October (26.6 °C) are more pleasant. Winter brings Antalya's rainy season, with about 12 rainy days a month in December and January, so check with us before planning rafting outside the warm months.

Combining the canyon with nearby places

• Aspendos. The Köprüçay flows on to Aspendos, 42 km downstream, where another old bridge crosses it. The Roman theatre is about 45 km from Beşkonak and easy to add on a private day; see our Aspendos Theatre page.
• Side and Perge. Side is an hour from Beşkonak, and Perge lies on the way back to Antalya; see Side ancient city and Perge ancient city.
• A history day instead. Our Perge, Aspendos, Side and Manavgat Waterfall tour costs from $90 per person, and pairs well with a rafting day.
• Planning the week. Our Antalya in 3 days plan shows how a river day fits around the city and the ruins.

Practical tips

• You will get wet: wear swimwear or quick-drying clothes, and bring a full change of clothes, a towel and a plastic bag for wet things.
• Shoes that can get wet and stay on your feet are better than flip-flops.
• Use sun cream and a hat for the jeep ride, and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.
• Bring water if you drive up to Selge.

Tours that visit Köprülü Canyon

• Antalya Rafting, Zipline and Jeep Safari Combo Day Tour: from $67 per person, about 08:00 to 18:00, with hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Antalya, an English-speaking guide, rafting gear and safety equipment, the jeep safari, the zipline and lunch.

For the Oluk Bridge and Selge as a private outing, ask us through our tailor-made tours. Our Antalya day trips guide, the Antalya tours list and the Antalya destination guide cover the other options.

Frequently Asked Questions