I have never been a fan of walking, instead considering it to be a waste of time when I could go from A to B much quicker using transport.
If people listed walking or trekking as their hobbies, I used to scoff, insisting my time would be better spent doing other things.
My opinions were to change after I spent an afternoon walking through Efeler Valley
Efeler Vadisi
It is called Efeler Vadisi in Turkish and is located high in the mountains of the Macahel region of the Black sea. It is not a tourist region and is as close to the natural face of Turkey as you can get.
It is a quiet location, with houses dotted all over the hillsides, sometimes in clusters with neighbours, sometimes remotely. Look beyond the houses and on the horizon are mountain tops covered with snow.
Sturdy wooden bridges, built many years ago, are placed at intervals over the fast flowing river gushing through the valley.
In the roof of the bridges are sleighs, used in winter time when the area is covered thick with white snow.
The scenery is lush green with an abundance of pine trees and colourful flowers
But every 1000 meters or so, we would come across something or someone that added an extra surprise to the walk.
The first discovery was a small mescit, a place of prayer much needed in this mountainous region when a devout Muslim might be miles away from his nearest mosque.
Next to, it was drinking fountains, located at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. They were constructed on behalf of Tahsin and Cemal Kahya.
I spent a long time wondering who these people were and tried to imagine their lives, spent in this remote valley.
Had they walked the same road I was now on?
Did they know that the drinking fountain was much appreciated, getting rid of my raging thirst on a hot summers day?
A random car stopped, filled with family members from the grand dad to the youngest baby. They knew we were strangers to the area and were checking on our well-being, following it up with an offer to go to their nearby house for refreshments.
We politely said no but I instantly realized there are still some great people in this world.
We met another woman who told us she was 89 years old. She was doubled up as she walked, with her hand on her crocked back, blaming it on years of carrying bundles of firewood.
We picked fresh raspberries from her garden, perhaps surprising her with my level of excitement because the raspberries were not shop bought.
Efeler valley is undisturbed Turkey.
The people are traditional, friendly, and welcoming.
The landscape is natural and there are no telltale signs of the fast pace world that we now live in.
That is what made my day.
Efeler valley changed my belief. Sometimes, the trusted and handy car is not needed.
The best experience can occur when you explore our world on your own two feet.
Readers Question : Do you like to walk and explore or would you rather use transport?
Beautiful. Walking is one of our hobbies, so yes, there are many times when we prefer to walk and take the slow pace.
Ashley recently wrote about..Any Old Iron
I think I would like to do some more walks in future Ashley. I can see why it appeals to you
Natalie recently wrote about..The Treacherous Drive to Karagöl : The Black Lake of Borçka
So many opportunities are missed when travelling in a car. would you have spoken to the 89 year old lady if you were driving past ?
Never would have even seen her Leeann. I think the walk on that day was also good for my health as well
Natalie recently wrote about..Göcek –Sophistication that is Not Part of My World
Lovely article and pictures this is a place that I must add to my list of places to visit. Thank you for all the useful information
You are welcome Debra, put it on your list but I know you will never make it out of Altinkum!!
Natalie recently wrote about..St. Anthony of Padua Church in Istanbul
Did you have to get special permission to visit area? Last year I was told that you still had to apply ahead of time to Artvin. But perhaps you have citizenship? I was grudgingly allowed to spend one night in area on basis of my ikamet and argument that I’d been to Georgia & so didn’t need to skip across border…
I had no problems Pat. Was originally told that foreigners need special permission to visit and then when I questioned it with the hotel, they said only if the foreigners want to stay overnight, should they apply for permission.
Either way, I had my kimlik so there was no issues. I never realised though that my hotel was only 50 metres from the border. Had a very stern jandarma man tell me to put my camera away!! Maybe you stayed in the same hotel, the TEMA?
Natalie recently wrote about..Patriotic Turks, Their Flag, and the EU
Just beautiful. What state is Efeler Valley in?
It is the Macahel region Serap, near Artvin
Natalie recently wrote about..23 Landscape Photos of Turkey
Lovely photos Natalie! Just think you never would have picked fresh raspberries, talked to the old woman and seen the rushing waters if you were just in a car.
Your photos also remind me a bit of the area surrounding Safranbolu – so lush and green! Keep up the good work!
Joy (My Turkish Joys) recently wrote about..Summer Curried Beans/Barbunya Körili
Safronbulu is on my list of places to go Joy so if it is like Efeler valley, I will be more than happy!
Natalie recently wrote about..Memories Are Everything. Remembering Alacin River
i love to walk and take in what is going on around me Phil dose it just to keep me quiet and stop me nagging him
you see much more walking and sometimes meet some very nice people
You have got a good one there Di, my hubby is not really into walking and has to be dragged along moaning
Natalie recently wrote about..My Entry Into Capture the Colour
. . don’t know how I missed this one Natalie – this is my favorite sort of post. So much enjoying your photos as my appetite is whetted for this area.
Alan recently wrote about..A Night At The Opera
Looking at the photos makes me miss the area so much Alan – never thought it would have this effect on me but loved the time, I spent there. I bet you are looking forward to your visit next year.
Natalie recently wrote about..The Colourful Wooden Mosque of Maral