A mythological journey in the foothills of northwestern Türkiye
As a destination where nature, myth, and mastery intertwine, the storied mountain of Kazdağı provides travelers with a new frontier of exploration.
Relive old tales
Separating Türkiye’s Aegean and Marmara regions is the highest mountain on the Biga Peninsula: Kazdağı. Once known as Mount Ida, it towered over the ancient land of Troad, playing witness to the rise and fall of empires, the life and times of early civilizations, and the trials and tribulations of mythical figures.
Kazdağı has long held a prominent place in mythology. It is believed to be the marital point of Zeus and Hera and the stage for the first beauty contest in history—when three Goddesses bared their vanity. But its heights are perhaps most famed for being the viewing point for the Gods during the Battle of Troy, which resulted from the judgement of this pageant.
While its summit is steeped in legend, its foothills bring travelers back to the present day. It is at the base of Kazdağı that they can embark on their own adventures, immersing themselves in the lush nature, ancient traditions, and unearthed cities that make this corner of Türkiye a trove of possibility.
Take a breath
Located on the southern slope of the mountain across an area of 21,450 hectares, the Kazdağı National Park is a vast natural paradise. With its dense forest, rich greenery, and diverse flora, it is alleged to be one of the places with the highest oxygen levels in the world, making it a perfect destination for those seeking fresh air and tranquility.
Visitors can make the most of their pure environment on a hike of one of the numerous trails. Wind in-between the Kazdağı fir trees that are thought to have provided the wood for the legendary Trojan horse; climb the rugged mountains that provide breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding landscape; and trek to the remote waterfalls that display the raw and beautiful power of nature.
Sütüven Waterfall is particularly admired for its crystal-clear waters that cascade down a steep rock face, creating an idyllic setting for taking a refreshing dip or enjoying a leisurely picnic. Mıhlı Waterfall, meanwhile, is considered a significant historical site owing to the nearby Başdeğirmen Bridge, which was used as a transfer point between the region and the city of Troy in ancient times.
Located on the southern slope of the mountain across an area of 21,450 hectares, the Kazdağı National Park is a vast natural paradise. With its dense forest, rich greenery, and diverse flora, it is alleged to be one of the places with the highest oxygen levels in the world, making it a perfect destination for those seeking fresh air and tranquility.
Visitors can make the most of their pure environment on a hike of one of the numerous trails. Wind in-between the Kazdağı fir trees that are thought to have provided the wood for the legendary Trojan horse; climb the rugged mountains that provide breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding landscape; and trek to the remote waterfalls that display the raw and beautiful power of nature.
Sütüven Waterfall is particularly admired for its crystal-clear waters that cascade down a steep rock face, creating an idyllic setting for taking a refreshing dip or enjoying a leisurely picnic. Mıhlı Waterfall, meanwhile, is considered a significant historical site owing to the nearby Başdeğirmen Bridge, which was used as a transfer point between the region and the city of Troy in ancient times.
Travelers can gain a better understanding of this agricultural heritage on a walking or bike tour of the coastal village of Adatepe. As an oasis of olive trees, it offers visitors the chance to engage with local farmers, who continue to use ancient extraction methods.
To learn more about the process that takes olive from farm to table, visit Adatepe Olive Oil Museum, established in an old olive oil factory. Observe huge stone mills, antique olive presses, and earthenware storage jars, before indulging in a piece of freshly baked bread dipped into local olive oil.
Embrace tradition
Emerging from the Kazdağı National Park, travelers are faced with a vista of olive groves that have become a symbol of Türkiye’s Aegean coast. With many being hundreds of years old, they provide a direct link to the region’s deep culture of olive cultivation and olive oil production.
Travelers can gain a better understanding of this agricultural heritage on a walking or bike tour of the coastal village of Adatepe. As an oasis of olive trees, it offers visitors the chance to engage with local farmers, who continue to use ancient extraction methods.
To learn more about the process that takes olive from farm to table, visit Adatepe Olive Oil Museum, established in an old olive oil factory. Observe huge stone mills, antique olive presses, and earthenware storage jars, before indulging in a piece of freshly baked bread dipped into local olive oil.
Displaying the true grandeur of Roman architecture is the remarkable maritime villa. Visitors can move from room to room, taking in the beautifully preserved mosaic floors and wall frescoes. But it is the ocean view that completes the allure of this building, granting spectators an unforgettable snapshot of the Aegean’s turquoise waters.
It was alongside these waters that the mythical hero, Aeneas, supposedly built his ships after the fall of Troy, and set sail for Rome. Modern travelers can replicate this epic voyage on the Aeneas Cultural Route, registered by the Council of Europe.
Step back in time
Sharing a coastline with Adatepe is the ancient city of Antandros, where the shadow of Kazdağı blankets a magnificent display of stone ruins. Believed to date back to the 8th century BCE, these include the remains of Roman baths, cisterns, and a necropolis—each one providing an insight into the glory days of this ancient world.
Displaying the true grandeur of Roman architecture is the remarkable maritime villa. Visitors can move from room to room, taking in the beautifully preserved mosaic floors and wall frescoes. But it is the ocean view that completes the allure of this building, granting spectators an unforgettable snapshot of the Aegean’s turquoise waters.
It was alongside these waters that the mythical hero, Aeneas, supposedly built his ships after the fall of Troy, and set sail for Rome. Modern travelers can replicate this epic voyage on the Aeneas Cultural Route, registered by the Council of Europe.
Kazdağı in northwestern Türkiye enchants with its mythological lore and natural beauty. Whether hiking its legendary trails, discovering its artisanal heritage, or experiencing its historical magnitude, it promises a multifaceted journey into a world that is as ancient as it is enduring.
