Yaka Park and Gizlikent Waterfall: a day trip from Fethiye

Inland from Fethiye, the road towards Antalya runs along the flat Eşen valley with the high Akdağ mountains on one side. Tucked into those foothills are two of the coolest spots in the region, in every sense: Yaka Park, a shady trout park above the village of Yakaköy, and Gizlikent Waterfall, a hidden cascade at the end of a short wade up a mountain stream. Both sit close to the ancient city of Tlos and Saklıkent Gorge, which makes them easy to fold into one relaxed day out from Fethiye, especially when the coast feels too hot.

What is Yaka Park?

Yaka Park is a large garden restaurant and trout farm on the hillside above Yakaköy, a farming village in the hills behind Tlos. Ice-cold spring water from the mountains is channelled through the grounds in small canals, pools and little falls, and the trout are raised in these clear pools. Tables sit under old plane trees and beside the running water, and some seating areas are built right over the channels, so you can hear and feel the water while you eat.

The main reason people come is the setting and the fresh trout, usually grilled or pan-fried and served with salad and bread. You can watch the fish in the pools before lunch, and children tend to love feeding them and spotting the bigger ones. It is also simply a pleasant place to sit with a tea in the shade while the valley below bakes in the sun. If you want to know more about local dishes to order elsewhere, see our guide to what to eat in Fethiye.

Getting to Yaka Park from Fethiye

Yaka Park lies about 40 km from Fethiye town. Drive east on the main D400 road towards Antalya, take the signed turn for Tlos, pass the ruins and keep climbing for roughly another 6 km, following the signs. Allow about 45 minutes to an hour by car or taxi. The last stretch is narrow and winding with steep bends, so take it slowly and watch for tractors and oncoming minibuses.

Public transport is less convenient. Dolmuş minibuses heading for Saklıkent pass the Tlos turn-off, but they do not climb all the way up to Yaka Park, so you would need a taxi or a long uphill walk from the main road. Many visitors simply join a jeep safari or Saklıkent tour from Fethiye, as Yaka Park is a common lunch stop on these.

What is Gizlikent Waterfall?

Gizlikent means roughly “hidden town”, and the name suits it. The waterfall sits in a narrow, green side valley just north of Saklıkent National Park, on the same side of the Eşen valley. From the entrance you walk down a long flight of wooden steps into a shaded ravine, then follow the stream upstream for a few hundred metres, partly on rocks and partly wading through the water itself, until the valley closes in around a tall waterfall pouring into a pool.

It is a short adventure rather than a hike: most people spend an hour or two there, including time to cool off at the bottom of the falls. Around the entrance you will also find extra activities such as zip-lines and river rafting nearby, offered separately, plus places to eat.

How to get to Gizlikent from Fethiye

Gizlikent is a few minutes’ drive from Saklıkent Gorge, about 45-50 km from Fethiye, so allow roughly an hour each way by car. Signs point the way from the Saklıkent road. By public transport, take a Saklıkent dolmuş from Fethiye’s minibus station and ask the driver to drop you at the Gizlikent turn-off, or walk from the Saklıkent stop; the walk adds around half an hour. Plenty of organised Saklıkent tours include Gizlikent as an extra stop, often first thing in the morning before the gorge gets busy.

What to wear and bring for the waterfall walk

You will get your feet wet, and probably your knees too. Water levels change a lot with the season: in high summer the stream can be little more than ankle deep, while in spring or after heavy rain it is colder, faster and can reach waist height in places.

• Water shoes or old trainers with a good grip. Flip-flops slip off and give no protection on the rocks. Shoes can usually be hired at the entrance if you forget.
• Swimwear or quick-dry clothes, and a towel and dry change of clothes left in the car or bag.
• A waterproof phone pouch, since you will want photos and it is easy to slip.
• Something warm for after the walk outside summer; the ravine stays shady and the water is cold all year.

Combining them into a day trip

Yaka Park and Gizlikent fit naturally around two of the area’s headline sights, so it is worth planning one longer day rather than two short ones. A comfortable order looks like this:

1. Morning: start early at Gizlikent while the stream is quiet, then walk into Saklıkent Gorge nearby.
2. Midday: drive back towards Fethiye and turn up to Tlos to see the rock tombs and acropolis.
3. Lunch or late afternoon: continue the short climb to Yaka Park for trout in the shade before heading back down the valley.

If you are short on time, Gizlikent and Saklıkent pair well on their own, while Tlos and Yaka Park make a gentler half day. Both options slot easily into a longer stay; our Fethiye 3-day itinerary shows how an inland day can balance beach days on the coast.

When to go

Both places are at their best from late spring to early autumn. In the hottest months the cool water and shade are a real relief from the coast, though Gizlikent gets busy when tour groups arrive, so mornings are calmer. Spring brings full streams and fresh green valleys, but the water is very cold and higher. In late autumn and winter some services around both sites can scale back or close on quiet days, and Gizlikent may be closed when the stream runs high, so it is wise to check locally before setting out. For more on visiting out of season, read our guide to Fethiye in autumn and winter.

Good to know before you go

• Entry arrangements, parking, shoe hire and activity costs change from season to season, so ask on the day.
• Mobile signal can be weak in the Gizlikent ravine and on the mountain road above Tlos.
• Bring cash as well as a card, as card machines are not always reliable in rural spots.
• Drive back down to the coast before dark if you are not used to mountain roads.