Şahinkaya Canyon

Şahinkaya Canyon is located in the Vezirköprü district of Samsun, within the basin of Altınkaya Dam Lake on the Kızılırmak River.

Şahinkaya Canyon, the second largest water canyon in Türkiye, is approximately 1500 metres long, with an average water depth of 106 metres and a canyon height of 340 metres.

Through thousands of years of erosion by the Kızılırmak River and orogenesis, a narrow and winding canyon has formed. This canyon divides the Altınkaya Dam Lake into two parts with a natural appearance. Şahinkaya Canyon contains the narrowest and longest passage of the Kızılırmak River, its steep slopes covered by dense and lush vegetation.

^{Şahinkaya Canyon (}https://samsun.bel.tr/icerik/sahinkaya-kanyonu⁾

The narrow and steep-walled gorge, stretching five kilometres, exhibits the characteristics of a classic incised valley. Due to its exceptionally steep and narrow slopes, it has a morphology distinct from other gorges in the lower reaches of the Kızılırmak River.

In addition to its natural beauty, Şahinkaya Canyon contains historical sites. Within the canyon there are coves, fjords and ancient settlement areas. Remnants of the Hittite civilization are found here, and the region of Vezirköprü is where Hittite kings were anointed upon ascending the throne. Additionally, natural caves formed in limestone bedrock are among the canyon’s notable geological features.

^{Şahinkaya Canyon}(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/samsun/gezilecekyer/sahinkaya-kanyonu)

In 2012, Şahinkaya Canyon and its surroundings were declared a national tourism area by decision of the Council of Ministers. In 2015, the canyon gained the status of a nature park and came under protection.

Various nature-based activities are carried out in and around the canyon. These include boat tours, water sports, canoeing, camping, picnicking, plant and wildlife observation, fishing, mountaineering and hiking. The canyon can also be viewed from above via hiking trails.

Boat tours operate from two different points within the canyon: Türkmen Village and Vezirsuyu Nature Park.