I know exactly how Hell’s Gorge earned its name. It is nothing to do with the deep canyon or the narrow and stifling walking path between two massive mountains.
No, I believe Hell’s gorge refers to how I felt after I had climbed it. I had been to hell and back again!
I struggled over large boulders with sweat trickling down my forehead. I felt a tremendous strain in my upper leg muscles as I battled up tall stone steps one after the other.
Any view of the bright blue sky had disappeared, yet the energy needed to climb started to make me perspire like a tap flowing.
Not used to extreme exercise, my whole body was screaming at me to stop and the lungs of this hard-core smoker were starting to pant heavily and loudly, unable to cope with the demand and need for more air.
Cehennem Deresi – Hells Gorge
In Turkish, the name is Cehennem Deresi, referring to the fast flowing river that flows through the canyon. Not content with just seeing the river, the final destination for us was to be an open green plain.
I never thought I would reach it and was on the verge of giving up. For the last 100 metres, I had to be pulled up the steep path, until the narrow slits in the rock opened up to reveal the hidden landscape.
I collapsed on my back sucking in the fresh air and listening to the echoes as our shouts vibrated off the walls of the canyon.
Can you see me?
If you are not a lover of nature, you will not appreciate Hell’s Gorge. The beauty lays in the pure silence, lack of tourism, green plants and flowers as well as eagles circling around nests they have laid in the mountain rock face.
Located in the Ardanuç province of the north east, Hell’s Gorge will test every muscle of your body and put you through an endurance test that I had known about beforehand, would not have completed.
The walk down was considerably easier on my body. Physical strain was no longer needed and it was a gentle stroll.
Can I now say that I have come back from the depths of hell?
. . new one for me, Natalie – we were so close a few years ago but didn’t know about it. Good reason to go back soon – thanks for the tip/
Alan recently wrote about..Suffer The Little Children . . .
If it was not for the guide Alan, I would never have known about it or found it. Also would not have attempted it on my own but it turned out to be good fun in the end
Natalie recently wrote about..Walking Hell’s Gorge
I always find the greater challenge on the way back from exhausting hikes. Glad it wasn’t so in this case.
Italian Notes recently wrote about..A Leaning Tower and other sights of Pisa
Coming down was a breeze, I wish the whole walk had been like that. There were a couple of occasions when I decided to slide down the rocks sitting down though! The humid weather can make them very slippy.
Natalie recently wrote about..Brilliant Beekeeping : How The Turks Make Sweet, Golden Honey
That made me laugh i can imagine you puffing and blowing half way up the hill i can also imagine you at the top laid on your back gagging for a fag
i can see you in the 2nd pic how long did it take to walk through it and was someone waiting for you at the other end
not for the faint hearted this one so well done for doing it
It seemed like hours Di but in truth, it must have only been about 45 minutes. The guide was with us the whole way. Glad he was because I would never have made it without some moral support!
Natalie recently wrote about..Ear Cropping of Dogs – Ignoring An Age Old Tradition
Maybe nicer on a cool fall day? I went down to “Cennet” in Mersin on a hot summer day and it felt someything like that. No air!
Carolyn Abiad recently wrote about..On War & Independence
I don’t know Carolyn. I think my health had more to do with the discomfort than the weather. I am a heavy smoker and felt the tug on my lungs. Perhaps a wake up call!
Natalie recently wrote about..The Friendly Locals of Ani Village
Looks lovely there. Glad you succeeded with the walk so you got to see all of this.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently wrote about..A Guide To Getting The Most From Our Hotel Pages
I am glad I did as well. Looking back now, would have felt disappointed if I did not make it to the end. Would think twice about doing it again though.
Natalie recently wrote about..This Turkish Woman Is More Than 100 Years Old
Haha, loved this. I know this feeling all too well
Brooke vs. the World recently wrote about..Could This Be the Best Planned Hostel in the World? You Decide…
The feeling of pain, we must like inflicting it upon ourselves!
Natalie recently wrote about..Memories Are Everything. Remembering Alacin River
But worth the view at the end, right?
I just had a bit of struggle climbing Mt. Nemrut last week. The winds were so cold and strong that I had my husband hold my hand and pull me along. I could hardly see anything and was afraid of getting swept off the side of the mountain!
Joy (My Turkish Joys) recently wrote about..Celebrating 4th of July Abroad – Year 2
Oh definitely worth it Joy. Mount Nemrut is on my bucket list, if you struggled, I had better pack the fags up!
Natalie recently wrote about..The Basilica Cistern of Istanbul and the Heads of Medusa
Sounds exhausting! I’m not in the best shape, so I know I wouldn’t even try something this. The photos do look gorgeous though!
Ali recently wrote about..Heidelberg – Sleeping With the Locals
If it had been described to me before we set off then I certainly would not have done it Ali, but it was worth it at the end
Natalie recently wrote about..Galata Tower and a 360-Degree View of Istanbul
I love a good hard hike! It’s one of my favorite forms of exercise!
Alexandra recently wrote about..Eat The World: Food Tours In Hamburg Germany
Alexandra, this would be perfect for you then. Hard hike is describing it lightly!!
Natalie recently wrote about..Flower Passage and Istanbul Nostalgia – Portraits From The Past
That rocky terrain looks slippery – I’m never a fan of hikes where I’m unsure on my feet. Very pretty though!
Andrea recently wrote about..Travel Memories: Crete and Santorini (or, the story of how we met)
It was slippery in some places Andrea so I ended up sliding down on my behind! There was no ways, I was going to fall over there
Natalie recently wrote about..Turkish Food Blogs to Tempt Your Taste Buds
Didn’t make it here when we went to Turkey but we have just one more (of many) reasons to go back now!
There is always millions of reasons to come back to Turkey Steve, this is just one of them
Natalie recently wrote about..Memories Are Everything. Remembering Alacin River
Seems to be appropriately named
I think so Stephanie. Would think twice about doing the walk again!
Natalie recently wrote about..23 Landscape Photos of Turkey
Weird name. We live at the end of Hell’s Valley in Freiburg too.
We walked a gorge in Cappadocia. It wasn’t so bad in the end, but a few conflicting words from tour guides made us worried during it whether we would be able to manage.
Andrew recently wrote about..Mercado Central, Valencia
The tour guides make me nervous Andrew – Often climbing in some dangerous place. They must get used to it as the do it every week but for first timers it can be nerve racking
Natalie recently wrote about..Turkish Food Blogs to Tempt Your Taste Buds
Well, walking through it would probably feel like hell, but it looks beautiful.
The sweat and pain was worth it Sherry!
Natalie recently wrote about..Kümbet Mosque, aka The Church of 12 Apostles
Ha ha… well, despite your horror description of the physical demands, it looks like a beautiful place!
Turtle recently wrote about..Visiting the origin of the Olympics
It was. I just need to cut down on the fags next time!
Beautiful landscape, must be a really enjoyable (yet hard!) walk.
Angela recently wrote about..A trip, a photo – Beach of Canoa Quebrada, Ceará, Brazil
I would like to do it again Angela, when I have given up smoking and the weather is cooler!!
Natalie recently wrote about..The Simplicity of Simena and My Desire to Return
I’m a fan of no tourist, nature, and quiet. However, it looks like this hike is probably best during cooler temperatures!
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently wrote about..NYC Photo Gallery- Going Green In New York City 2
Very true Mary – End or beginning of summer is the best time to attempt this walk