TOPARLAR WATERFALL: A 15-MINUTE WALK TO PARADISE

Is the Toparlar waterfall considered a hidden gem? Yes, if by hidden gem you mean that it hasn’t been overrun by tourists yet. It’s technically not hidden because it’s clearly marked, but it’s still a treasure! Continue reading if it is new to you. We’ll go over how to get there in detail as well as when to go to avoid the crowds.

There are several hiking trails that lead there, but if you’re looking for a quick and easy trip, it will only take you fifteen minutes to arrive at this small piece of heaven.

HIKING THE ECO TRAILS WITH TOPARLAR FALLS AS A BONUS

As its name implies, the Toparlar waterfall is located in Toparlar, close to Köyceğiz. As a component of the Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area, Köyceğiz, one of Turkey’s Cittaslow cities, enjoys a comparatively undisturbed landscape. The ECO Trails, a system of hiking and cycling routes that bridges the distance between the Lycian Way and the Carian Trail, are also located near the town.

The three regions of the ECO Trails are the coastline paths, the northern mountainous area, and the intermediate sector.

The well-waymarked routes offer spectacular views of beaches, forests, lakes, and wetlands, including Iztuzu beach and the Dalyan Delta. You’ll recognize the trail from the red-white markings and yellow direction signs for hikers or red ones for cyclists at several intersections.

©️ ECO Trails Markings Explained

There are hiking routes leading to the Toparlar waterfalls in both the middle and northern mountain sections. The Toparlar – Frankincense route is the route in the middle. It is rated as “easy” and links the Toparlar waterfalls with Köyceğiz promenade. It will take you slightly less than 10 miles or 3 hours and 30 minutes of leisurely walking. The route in detail is available here.

Consider the Döğüşbelen – Toparlar waterfall – Yeşilköy route in the northern half if you’re looking for a somewhat more difficult hike. This moderately difficult trek is slightly longer than 19 kilometres, and it takes roughly 6h30 to finish. Naturally, you may just as easily decide to stop at the Toparlar waterfall. A thorough walk map can be found on this website.
Below is a short and simple route to the Toparlar waterfall if you’re not much of a hiker or if all you want to do is swim.

The Colors Change With The Sunlight

THE QUICK AND EASY WAY TO REACH TOPARLAR WATERFALL

It takes only a brief walk to reach the Toparlar waterfall pool. There isn’t a parking lot adjacent to it! (Fortunately!) The closest parking lot is located directly off the main D400 route that runs from Muğla to Fethiye. Drive past Toparlar and keep an eye out for the sign pointing to the Toparlar waterfall on your right if you’re going from the Köyceğiz direction.
Once you get to the end of the dirt road, park beneath the trees. You may then see the ECO Trail markers and signs leading to the waterfall. Travelling up to the waterfall via a picturesque trail takes approximately fifteen minutes. It’s amazing how close the main road is once you leave the “parking lot” behind. You are in a different universe right away.

Make sure to look out for the markings and not to miss any. You will have to cross the stream on two different occasions. Not a major issue, but this walk, while short, is not suitable for people with mobility issues. Alternatively, you could make turn this into a light version of canyoning and keep following the stream below instead of the land trails. If you do, make sure to wear appropriate footwear, as the terrain is slippery and rocky.

If you follow the path in the woods, you’ll arrive at the Toparlar waterfall some 200m after the direction sign to Döğüşbelen. The descent to the pool is a bit tricky but doable. Once at pool level, enjoy the beauty of the waterfall and take a dive into the pool, or awaken your inner Tarzan or Jane and take a swing using the rope.

Also, don’t forget to check out the waterfall adjacent to the parking lot. You can hear the water falling as soon as you arrive. And, if we’re honest, we were captivated by it. You can’t swim there, but it offers such a beautiful scene! Don’t miss it!

 THE BEST TIME TO VISIT TOPARLAR WATERFALL

Diving into that pool probably is the most rewarding during high summer, but unfortunately, that is also the time when jeep safaris visit this spot. Still, you can beat the crowds by being an early bird and making sure you’re at the waterfall early morning. If you can, come to this place out of season, and preferably not during the weekend. That’s when you have the biggest shot at having this little garden of Eden all to yourselves.

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