Tourists in Antalya have discovered an interesting way to cool down and enjoy fresh air during the hot summer months: traveling to the summit of Tahtalı Mountain via Europe's longest one-piece aerial cableway.



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Located not too far from the tourist towns of Göynük, Kemer and Tekirova, the aerial cableway, which climbs 380 meters above the ground at some points, offers passengers an exciting trip; the aerial cableway serves as bridge between hot and cold weather.
Temperature have started to increase with the coming of June, and just about everyone has started mulling over how they will cool down during the muggy and hot summer season. Some plan to turn their air conditioners on and stay at home while others plan to go to the beach or relax by a pool. Like every year, this year will witness people trying out various methods to cool down.

Of these methods, the most effective, perhaps, has already been discovered by locals and foreign tourists in Antalya. In fact, their method helps them cool down so much that they eventually want to return to the coastlines of Antalya, where the temperature is around 33 degrees Celsius. The place these tourists go is the peak of Tahtalı Mountain, which measures 2,365 meters above sea level. The peak of the mountain can be reached via Europe's longest one-piece aerial cableway, which was built in 2006.

In order to construct the cableway, a separate equipment cableway was built to transport the necessary construction equipment up the mountain. A total of 3,700 cubic meters of concrete, 4,500 cubic meters of water and 420 tons of steel and iron were transported to the peak of Tahtalı Mountain. The cableway was constructed to meet the technology and safety standards of Switzerland, which has managed to build a cableway traveling 6,000 meters above sea level.

With the slogan “Sea to Sky,” the 4,350-meter cableway takes tourists to the peak of Tahtalı Mountain, which is the highest point along the Mediterranean. After clearing the pine trees located on the slopes of the mountain, cableway cabins start moving upward, traveling at 380 meters above the ground. Excitement in the cableway cabins, which can carry up to 80 people, reaches an all-time high as the lift moves up into the clouds. About 10 minutes later, tourists step outside -- 2,365 meters above sea level -- and feel the cold weather strike their faces. When temperatures near the coastline are around 33 degrees Celsius, within a few minutes, tourists can reach a place where the temperature is roughly 13 degrees Celsius. In fact, there are even pockets of snow in places that receive no sunlight.

From the summit, there is a breathtaking view of the Alanya and Anamur mountains as well as the Finike and Elmalı mountains. Facility operator Haydar Gümrükçü said it is sunny in the region 300 days out of the year, allowing visitors clear visibility. Emphasizing that the aerial cableway offers opportunities for both summer and winter tourism, Gümrükçü said: “During the weekdays, foreign tourists and, during the weekend, local tourists rush to the cableway to observe the view and cool down. There are between 300 and 500 visitors each day. The number of daily visitors will reach 1,000 as of mid-June.” The cost for the ride is TL 40. There are rides every 30 minutes, and at the peak of the mountain, there is a restaurant offering a range of dishes.



16 June 2009, Tuesday


MÜHENNA KAHVECÄ° ANTALYA