ABOUT TAURUS MOUNTAINS
| TAURUS MOUNTAINS QUICK FACT BOX |
| Elevation |
12,323 feet, 3,756 meters |
| Location |
Turkey, Central Anatolia |
| Range |
Anatolia, Taurus Range |
| Coordinates |
37.8167000 latitude 35.1667000 longtitude |
| Convenient Center(s) |
Nigde |
| Nearest Major Airport |
Kayseri Airport |
Taurus Mountains (Turkish: Toros Dağları) are a mountain complex in southern Turkey, from which the Euphrates and Tigris descend into Iraq and Syria. It divides the Mediterranean coastal region of southern Turkey from the central Anatolian Plateau.
The system extends along a curve from Lake Eğirdir in the west to the upper reaches of the Euphrates and Tigris in the east. It has many peaks rising above 3,000–3,700 m, (10,000–12,000 ft).
The Taurus complex is divided into four ranges:
Beydaglari mountain range, western, highest peak Mt. Kizlarsivrisi 3,086 m (10,125 ft)
Aladaglar mountain range, central, highest peak Mt. Demirkazik 3,756 m (12,323 ft)
Bolkar mountain range, southeastern, highest peak Mt. Medetsiz 3,524 m (11,562 ft)
Munzur mountain range, northeastern, highest peak Mt. Akbaba 3,462 m (11,358 ft)
Mercan mountain range, within the Munzur
The highest point in the central Tauruses is the summit of Mt. Demirkazık.
GEOGRAPHY
In the Aladaglar and Bolkar mountains, limestone has eroded to form karstic landscapes of waterfalls, underground rivers, and some of the largest caves of Asia. The Manavgat River originates on the southern slopes of the Beydaglari range.
ALADAGLAR MOUNTAIN RANGE
Forming part of the Central Taurus range, the Aladaglar range runs from the southwest to the northeast for approximately 50 kilometers. It is between 25 and 30 kilometers wide and boasts the region's highest peak, Demirkazik which stretches to 3756 meters. Other high summits include Kizilkaya in the center (3725 m), a peak that reaches 3688 meters in the south and Mount Vayvay in the East (3565m). The long range is situated in the provinces of Nigde and Adana and rises between Lake Ecemis and the Zamanti river.
The geological formation of the area is responsible for the interesting rock formations and waterfalls. The erosion of limestone has created a fascinating karstic topography and hydrography, especially in the Yedigoller valley, where karstic underground rivers and caverns collect the surface water. Both the Mediterranean and Anatolian weather systems influence the climate of the Aladaglar bringing warm summers and cool winters to the mountains.
Climbing Routes
Researchers and mountaineers ascending the Aladaglar usually begin their climb from either Camardi or Cukurbas villages. Those attempting to climb the Demirkazik summit depart from Demirkazik village. Both of these villages lie 65 km from Nigde and can be reached by asphalt road.
Regional attractions
The yaylas of the Toros (Taurus) Aladag are the summer homes of entire villages and the summer grazing of herds of animals. Be sure to see the rounding up of all the animals for milking. Traditionally women of these encampments have produced some of Turkey's most beautiful carpets and kilims, and it is often possible to see a carpet still in progress.
The Taurus highlands are found within the provinces of Gaziantep, Hatay (Antioch), Adana, Içel, Antalya and Mugla.
Season and Weather
The best season to climb the mountains is during June, July and August when the alpine meadows of higher elevations are rich in vegetation.
Flora and Fauna
Exposed to the gentle Mediterranean breezes, the snow-covered peaks of the Taurus Mountain Range intermingle with the foothills spread out like a colorful nomadic carpet of flowers dotted with fruit orchards, pine, fir, cedar and juniper trees.
The wildlife in these mountains presents the same diversity as that of the rich plant cover. Taurus Mountains are home for birds such as pigeons, blackbirds, francolins, partridges, quail, turtledoves, woodcock as well as for eagles, sturnidaes, falcons, chaffinches and orioles. Animals that can be observed here in their natural habitat are deer, fallow deer, bezoar goat, boar, lynx, roe deer, fox, wolf, jackals, martens, rabbits and hyena.
In this beautiful natural site, seven different springs on the mountainside fall from heights ranging between 30 and 70 meters. An important one to see is Kapuzbasi waterfalls.
