Travel websites describe the burning flames of Chimaera as “fascinating”. They recommend the eternal fire of Lycia is a “must visit” when in the Antalya region. One travel writer even went as far to describe a mystical presence which mesmerized her.
The flames burn from crevices in the rocks of the Cirali Mountains and ancient beliefs credit this location as the source of the myth of the Chimera, a ghastly creature which is composed of the parts of various animals and who breathes hot fire flames in defence.
For hundreds of years, sailors could see the flames from sea and used them as a landmark while tales of their origins were colorful and varied. Even though the scientific explanation for the flames is natural methane gas oozing from the rocks, I bought into the hype and mystery, placing Chimaera on my list of places to go.
Now that I have been there and seen it, I can describe Chimaera to anyone who wants to know but my version will be totally different from the guidebooks.
The burning flames of Chimaera are overrated and the most disappointing place that I visited on my solo tour.
Walking To The Flames of Chimaera
I was told to take a torch as the path leading up to the flames at night time is poorly lit. I should have been told to take a flood light instead! I slowly made my way up the slippery 800 meter stony path that twisted and turned. Sections of the path with no safety barriers ensured my overactive imagination feared that if I accidently walked over the side, the mountain of Chimaera would be my last resting place.
The night time air was hot, damp patches of sweat appeared all over my t-shirt and my hair was sticking fast to my face. A combination of tar filled lungs and thin mountain air ensured that by the time I made it to the top, I seriously thought I was going to throw up all of my inner body parts.
My reaction on seeing the flames was that I had been conned. To be fair, I have since learned that the height and strength of the flames depend on barometric pressure, at the time of visiting. However the long and horrendous walk up to the top of the mountain is just not worth the effort. I could produce the same effect from pumping up flames in my garden BBQ.
If you want to be mystical about it, head up to the flames with some exotic and illegal smoke, then let your imagination go wild. Otherwise don’t be too disappointed if you do not make it to the burning flames of Chimaera.
Readers Question : Have you been to the burning flames of Chimaera? If so, were you as disappointed as I was.
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Yeah seriously. I think the big clue is in the words “overactive imagination” Regarding the thin air, it was thin for me. The words before it indicate I am a smoker. I was also expecting bigger flames with more drama from the previous reviews, I had read. Everyone has different experiences Leah. Neither yours or mine experience is wrong. Please respect that.
” Sections of the path with no safety barriers ensured my overactive imagination feared that if I accidently walked over the side, the mountain of Chimaera would be my last resting place.”
Wow seriously?? I was’t worried about safety walking up that path at all! And there is no ‘thin mountain air’… You have to go like 3000m up to begin experiencing ‘thin mountain air’… the flames are only a few hundred metres!
I’m not really sure what you were expecting… I was expecting flames coming from the rocks and that’s what I saw. Honestly the most disappointing thing for me were the number of people who hogged the flames which made exploring all the different flames and taking photos a bit difficult.
I agree with you – it is the company that you are with but I was travelling solo 🙁
Hey Natalie, I appreciate your honesty! We were in Olympos a few weeks ago and went to see the Chimera and actually had a great time. I didn’t have very high expectations, plus maybe the flames were bigger than the time of year you went. But my favorite part was spending the night outside and having conversations with others who made it up to the flames. It was kind of like a campfire setting. May not be for everyone though (and like you said, certainly depends on the conditions!). Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
Good point Paul – would rather have the picnic
I enjoyed it…. sure it isn’t mystical or overwhelming, but where else do you see flames coming out of the ground? Murchison in NZ? http://www.naturalflames.co.nz/ I went in a group and we had a good time. Hard to completely dismiss something like this, what else would you suggest instead if doing this one evening? would you rather have a picnic on a flaming mountain or one in a local restaurant?
I honestly disagree about the flames, I went there last night and was so glad I did. If you go there hoping to see a fire bigger than humans can produce, forget it. But the mere fact of seeing eternal flames sprouting out of the earth was amazing to me. It’s an element I didn’t know even existed in nature, without being ignited. The awe of the scene comes from considering that it’s one of only two places in the entire world where fire bursts organically from the ground. If you go there thinking you could make a better fire with your BBQ, then yes, it won’t be very moving.
Wow that must of been freaky Robin. Perhaps you walked exactly the same steps as someone in history. Look forward to finding out if anyone else has experienced it as well although not heard of it.
I made the hike in the mid 90s. It was one of the most memorable times of my life because I had a disturbing past-life experience as I was walking up those awful steps in the heat. It was my first and so far only time seeing into a past life. The steps I climbed were worn but during this experience the steps appeared to be recently hewn from the rock. And my feet looked completely different, wearing rough leather strap sandals. I am still astonished I had this spiritual experience. I wonder if this has occurred to others as well.
Yes, Maybe that is it. Thank you for the name and info. You have a great Blog. I have spent a lot of time reading. Have a good day.
James
Hi James, you are welcome. Do you mean kekova as the city under water, many people go sea kayaking over it
Thanks for the photos and the information. I passed by on a tour bus on the way to Kale/Demri where I had a wonderful time. Are you familiar with the City that is under the lake near Kale Area?
I cannot remember the name of the city although I took a wonderful boat ride on the lake and had seafood cooked on the boat. I took many pictures but do not remember the submerged city.
Thanks for the information about the Chimaera as I felt I had missed a wonderful site.
James
The steps themselves should have a health warning Jools. Never again!
I climbed those horrendous steps at around 4 in the afternoon. I had to stop a couple of times on the way up. and was embarrased to be passed by a Turkish Grandmother in all her clothes. Made it to the top, and after reviving my lungs, sat with a beer and watched the amazing sunset. Worth it just for that. But it is funny to see the Turkish Families using the flames for Barbecues, and I went because the Turk I was with, did not believe this was a natural occurance. I have photos of them looking for a man underneath with a lighter or something:))
Nice topic; nice place and nice comments.I liked all 🙂
Hi Elif, maybe like you say, because of your background you can appreciate it more. My other regret was that I did not go on my own and could not keep up with the group on the way up.
I’m a Classical Greek graduate and I might be biased due to my background but Cirali is definitely a fascinating historical site to me. However, I was extremely upset to see people using the area for picnic and to barbecue sausages on the flames. What a shame…
Hi Julieta, Glad to read that you enjoy my blog and glad that you are enjoying Cirali as well. I could quite easily spend more time there as well, however there is so much more to see and do in Turkey. Definitely plan to return one day
Hi Natalie! I am currently living in Cirali, around 2 km from Chimera, but I haven’t visited it yet. To tell you the truth I’m not expecting something grand or mystical so your post didn’t surprise me! I’m just wondering where can I find here some “exotic smoke” 😀
Just to tell you that I enjoy very much your blog, your article on Cirali was an important item I considered when I decided to come here to spend the Winter… perhaps also Spring!
¡Besos!
Ha ha Shane – yes, my tar filled lungs got the surprise of their life as well!
We only ended up there because we went for a stroll along the beach from Olimpos and just carried on walking (most unlike me).
I went up alone as Deirdre couldn’t be arsed to climb the mountain and though it was nothing special it felt good to surprise my own tar filled lungs once in a while.
Underwhelmed is the best word to describe my reaction Alan 🙂
. . with you on this one Natalie – went there years ago and was totally underwhelmed! The most interesting thing there was the old sign explaining stuff in ‘pigin’ English – like wot she is not spoke!!
Derek – Cirali is definitely rewarding. The beach, the close distance to olympos and the ruins is a must visit. Also Phaselis can be done from that location as well
True – I would always be saying I wish I had gone there and seen it. We wonder more about things that we have not seen with our own eyes
You said it Jack – My imagination went wild. Add that to the ordeal of walking up there and the whole experience was disappointing
Interesting. There are very few destinations that I have seen firsthand and been disappointed with, but judging from what you say this could be one of them… unless I followed your advice in the last paragraph lol.
Sounds like exploring Cirali itself might be a more rewarding experience…
sorry to read this Natalie but thanks for letting us no thats one to miss
but if you’d not gone to see it you would have been thinking what if
I must admit I was a bit let down by the underwhelming pilot light. I guess we just have let our imaginations run riot and think the way the ancients thought – it’s a miracle.
Don’t go in a group. Go independently so you can take your time. Cirali as a destination is a must visit, however I felt different about the flames. I suppose it is whether you want to say that you have been there and done it.
Hi Hazel, I loved Cirali but just think the walk up to the flames is not worth it. Mind you, I did visit at a time when the flames were not meant to be at their full potential.
Interesting to hear, as I too have only hear really incredible things. I would probably still visit just to get a glance… but this makes me wonder if it would be worth it!
I love Cirali and the walk up to the Chimera, but I love walking and exploring. It is best to visit out of season and in the dry. It can be very majical but it all depends on where you stay the weather and the company. I have been many times and all very different. The last time was in a horrendous thunder storm and the rain had put all the flames out but we had fun seeing how many we could reignite.
In that case, take a back up of supply of air and wear as little as possible. I went at night time in October and the heat was horrendous
Got the message loud and clear with that one Natalie! We’ve never been but I think I’d still go after this post – just to see if it as you said. 😉
Julia