The mysterious passage: Şahinkaya Canyon
Şahinkaya Canyon, which is located in the Vezirköprü district of Samsun and is the second largest water canyon in Turkey, fascinates those who see it with its mysterious structure. The natural wonder Şahinkaya Canyon is among the first choices of citizens who are overwhelmed by the noise and heat of the city. A unique view welcomes the citizens who reach the canyon with private vehicles and tours. Altınkaya Dam Lake, where green and blue are intertwined on one side, and the mysterious canyon on the other. The dam lake, where the Kızılırmak River turns blue, the lush pine forests and the grandeur of the canyon embrace nature lovers. The canyon receives a lot of visitors, especially on weekends.
The new favorite of nature lovers Şahinkaya Canyon, located on Altınkaya Dam Lake in Türkmen District in Vezirköprü district, offers an insatiable view to people with its natural beauty. Located 17 km northwest of Vezirköprü, the canyon draws attention with its feature of being the deepest and thinnest part of Altınkaya Dam. The canyon, which is approximately 1500 meters in length, 106 meters in water depth and 350 meters in height, fascinates those who see it with its majesty as the mysterious passage where the waters of the Kızılırmak find their way between steep cliffs. Şahinkaya Canyon and its surroundings were declared a national tourism region in 2011, and day trips are currently being made to the region. The dazzling Şahinkaya Canyon on the Kızılırmak River is frequently visited by local and foreign tourists. Many boats in the canyon provide tour services to the visitors. The canyon, which attracts great attention, welcomes hundreds of people, especially on weekends.
Canyon formation It is estimated that the mountain formation occurred as a result of earthquake or stream erosion. Many natural caves stand out in the limestone bedrocks that form two walls in the canyon. The area hosts activities such as nature walks, landscape watching, daily activities, camping, plant and wildlife watching, photo safari, water sports, boat trip, amateur angling, rock climbing, paragliding, underwater diving, gastronomy. The current state of the canyon emerged as a result of the Altınkaya Dam, which was built in 1988, and the start of water retention in the region.