Tortum Şelalesi

Tortum Waterfall lies about 100 kilometres north of Erzurum, in the Uzundere district, at the northern end of Lake Tortum. According to the Kültür Portalı, the waterfall forms where the waters of the lake spill over the landslide mass in the Tev Valley. The water drops from a height of 48 metres; the width of the fall is given as 21 metres by the Kültür Portalı and 22 metres by the provincial tourism guide. The waterfall and its surroundings lie about 1000 metres above sea level. The English Wikipedia describes it as the tallest waterfall in Türkiye, and with these dimensions it is the best-known natural sight of the province. The waterfall owes its existence to a natural event. Sources tell how in the 1700s a huge landslide broke away from Kemerlidağ and blocked the valley through which the Tortum Stream flowed. The dammed stream formed Lake Tortum behind it, and the overflowing water cut itself a new path over the barrier. The English Wikipedia notes that some geologists date the landslide to a much older period, while others think it is only a few centuries old. According to the Turkish Wikipedia, the water falls over resistant layers of limestone and carves a large pothole below. People living in the area call the waterfall "sudökülen", the place where the water pours down. The best time to see the waterfall is late spring. The Kültür Portalı writes that the waterfall flows in full splendour in May and June and that the water decreases after June. The reason is clear; the water of the lake is diverted through channels and tunnels to a hydroelectric power plant built between 1952 and 1960. According to the English Wikipedia, because only surplus water is released to the waterfall, its bed can almost dry up outside the period when the lake is high. If you plan to go at the end of summer or in autumn, be prepared for a thinner waterfall from the start. The provincial nature guide explains that in the spring months, when the water is abundant, the spray rising from the falling water often forms a rainbow. The visit is simple and lets you see the waterfall both from above and from below. The viewing balcony in front of the waterfall is the first stop for visitors. According to the provincial tourism guide, there are staircases on both sides of the waterfall that lead up to the highest point, and by going down these stairs you can watch the waterfall from the wooden bridge below. The Turkish Wikipedia notes that you can go down the stairs on one side and come back up on the other, and that in spring the balcony gets wet from the spray. The steps can be wet and slippery, so hold the railing on the way down and wear shoes with a good grip. Go Türkiye mentions a local belief that the air around the stairs is good for shortness of breath and heart complaints; it should be heard as a piece of folklore. The scenery does not end just below the waterfall. According to the English Wikipedia, after the drop the water passes through a series of small cascades before reaching the Tev Valley. Four small lakes have formed on the landslide debris from water seeping up from underground; İncegöl and Karagöl are two of them, and their water is remarkably clear and blue. There are picnic areas and visitor facilities around the waterfall, so on summer days this is a busy picnic spot. The Kültür Portalı notes that the pool formed below the waterfall and its surroundings are today also a natural setting suitable for water sports. Uzundere is reached by minibuses leaving from the district bus station in Erzurum. Since sources give different information about which station they depart from, ask about the departure point and times before you go. The Kültür Portalı states that the waterfall is about 95 kilometres from the city centre, while the provincial nature guide writes that it is 16 kilometres from Uzundere. By car it is enough to follow the Erzurum to Artvin road; since the road runs along the shore of Lake Tortum, combining the lake and the waterfall on the same trip is the most sensible plan. The provincial tourism guide notes that Uzundere was chosen as the 11th town in Türkiye to join the international slow city network. According to the provincial nature guide, there is also accommodation in Uzundere for those who want to stay overnight.