Kurşunlu Şelalesi

About 22 kilometres from the centre of Antalya, in the district of Aksu, Kurşunlu Waterfall is the place to go for a day of shady forest and the sound of water close to the city. The waterfall drops from a height of about 18 metres inside a canyon two kilometres long. Along the canyon, seven small ponds are linked to one another by small cascades. According to the Türkiye Tourism Encyclopedia, the waterfall lies on the Antalya travertines at about 80 metres above sea level. The encyclopedia refers to the pool where the water falls as a giant's cauldron. By the encyclopedia's measurements it is five to six metres deep, close to 36 metres long and 45 metres wide. Mossy rocks and trees hanging over the water surround the pool; the best view of the waterfall is from its edge. The steps down to the pool and the viewing terrace can be wet from the spray, so walk carefully. The area was laid out as a park and opened to visitors in 1986. On 21 May 1991 it was declared a nature park by the Ministry of Forestry. According to the Aksu District Governorship, a section of 394 hectares was set aside as a nature park in the first declaration; the Culture Portal states that the area was enlarged in 2000. Its present extent is given in the sources as between 586 and 597 hectares. The waterfall and picnic area cover a section of about 33 hectares. The park is managed by the 6th Regional Directorate of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks. Red pine dominates the park's forest. Among the pines, singly or in small groups, grow oriental plane, bay laurel, carob, wild olive, mastic, willow and fig trees. In the understorey grow myrtle, hawthorn, oleander, blackberry, wild rose, kermes oak, thyme and wild mint. Water mint and reeds grow along the water's edge, and water lilies float on the ponds. The encyclopedia names the park's water-lily pond as one of the highlights of the landscape. The mammals recorded include wild boar, fox, hare, marten, squirrel and bat. Among the birds are hoopoe, woodpecker, turtle dove, mallard, coot, cormorant and chaffinch, and in the water pond turtle, carp and eel. The Culture Portal notes that walkers on the trails may come across hares, squirrels, woodpeckers and turtles. To see the birds, a good way is to stand quietly by the ponds early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. The walking paths that run along the canyon let you see the waterfall not from a single point but from different angles along the ponds. The park has viewing terraces, a children's playground, a car park, drinking water, toilets and a place to eat and drink. Day picnics and nature walks are the main activities; the encyclopedia also mentions tent camping. The park is open all year, but the sources give April to December as the best time to visit. Coming from Antalya, you reach the park by a road of about seven kilometres that turns north off the main road at the Soğucaksu Bridge. You can come by private car, and there are also municipal buses and minibuses; check the current routes and schedules. Check the official sources of Nature Conservation and National Parks for current entry conditions, fees and opening hours. The encyclopedia counts the park among the areas in heavy use all year, so choose a weekday or the morning hours for a quiet walk. Do not go into the ponds, take your rubbish back with you and stay on the paths.