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The
Aladaglar are a mainly limestone range of mountains forming part
of the Taurus chain, which runs west to east along the southern
part of Turkey. Aladaglar means ‘red mountains’, and they
are named from their fiery glow in the light of the setting sun.
They are situated approximately sixty kilometres from Adana, forty
kilometres from Nigde and fifty kilometres from Kayseri, and cover
around 1,100 square kilometres. Climbers concentrate on a smaller
group of peaks known as the Beyaz (white) Aladaglar.
There are several permanent lakes dotting the uplands and some impressive
waterfalls on the east side of the range. Trekking is most popular
in June – July, as the passes are then open, and the flora
is a lush green surprise. The most popular trek runs from Camardi
to Ulupinar on the east side of the range. Rock climbing is also
a popular sport; the Turkish university clubs use the ski lodge
regularly. The best time for rock climbing is from mid July to mid
September.
Skiing is very limited; there are no lifts so only cross-country
skiing is possible, but winter mountaineering is made attractive
by long periods of settled weather in the early spring. The mountains
are also popular with bird watchers, looking for the caspian snowcock,
the wallcreeper and the alpine accentor.
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