Stage 59: From Antalya to Kemer

Today, in the best weather, I cycled southwest. Since Laura will only arrive in Antalya in two days, there was enough time to visit the Olympos National Park. It was only about 35 kilometers to the accommodation in Kemer, so I could enjoy the route along the coast even more relaxed.

10 kilometers before Kemer, you could already guess how touristic the region can be in summer. Some luxury resorts stand empty at the roadside, one of them resembling a cruise ship from the outside. You can stay at the 'Transatlantic Hotel' for a mere 600€ per night in the off-season, a real bargain! My accommodation in Kemer was a bit more modest, but with an even better view of the national park and the western Taurus Mountains. Kemer itself was like a ghost town, as German and Russian tourists stay away due to Corona. Apart from me, only some local tennis players were in the accommodation, there seems to have been a small tournament at the time.

The next morning, I continued by bike towards the south through the mountains, but luckily the luggage stayed in the hotel room. I wanted to visit the 'eternal flames' (Yanartas), which have been burning since ancient times and are kept alive by continuously escaping methane gas. It was about 35 kilometers to the vicinity of Cirali and from there a few kilometers on foot up to 'Mount Chimaera'. According to Greek mythology, the fire-breathing Chimera lived here and was killed by Bellerophon with the help of the winged horse Pegasus. But why are the fires still burning today? Creepy...

Well, the ride and the climb to the fire field were more spectacular than the sight itself, but the trip was still worth it. On the way back, there were some more meters of altitude to overcome. If you are nearby, you can also consider taking a cable car ride to the Turkish Olympus (Tahtali Dagi), but I found the 10-minute ride for 25€ disproportionately expensive.