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Kayadibi Canyon, a natural landscape that emerged after the Yusufeli Dam in Artvin province began holding water, has become a new destination for canoeists seeking to paddle between its steep, towering cliffs.
Canoeists navigate the narrow waterway of Kayadibi Canyon, maneuvering between rock walls that rise sharply on either side of the water, a formation created when the dam submerged the region's former valley.
The canyon sits near Erzurum's Uzundere district, in an area of Artvin known for its natural beauty, where the Yusufeli Dam and its surrounding landscape now attract visitors from across the region.
Before the dam was built, this stretch of water once formed part of the old Artvin-Erzurum highway, a route now submerged beneath the canyon's still waters.
A team of about 20 canoeists makes their way through the full length of the 1.5-kilometer (0.9-mile) canyon, a journey that typically takes around an hour and a half to complete.
Paddlers pause to take in the scenery as mountain goats appear along the canyon's rocky slopes, offering an unexpected encounter with local wildlife during the excursion.
Storks and a variety of other bird species can be spotted nesting and gliding along the canyon walls, adding to the area's appeal for both athletes and nature enthusiasts alike.
Tour companies have begun organizing regular canoe trips and excursions through the canyon, drawing steady interest from visitors throughout the summer season.
Participants describe the experience as immersive, with the canyon's narrow passage and sheer rock formations creating what many call an unforgettable atmosphere on the water.
Local organizers say the canyon has quickly become a word-of-mouth attraction, encouraging visitors to discover the unexpected beauty that formed in the aftermath of the dam's construction.
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