TURKEY: Evliya Çelebi Way

The Evliya Çelebi Way is a c.600 km-long trail for horse-riders, hikers and bikers. It begins at Hersek (a village in Altınova district), on the south coast of the Izmit Gulf, and traces Evliya's pilgrimage journey via Iznik, Yenişehir, Inegöl, Kütahya (his ancestral home), Afyonkarahisar, Uşak, Eski Gediz, and Simav. (Heavy urbanisation prevents the Way entering either Istanbul, from where he set out in 1671, or Bursa). The Evliya Çelebi Way is a must-do trail for walkers and bikers, and Turkey’s first route for horseriders. It mixes history and nature, adventure and relaxation. A few days on the Way can enjoyably be combined with sightseeing in the towns and cities Evliya visited. The Evliya Çelebi Way crosses some of the most spectacular and varied landscapes in Turkey, visiting villages far off the beaten track, as well as passing through, or close to, towns and cities of great historical importance in this region where the Ottoman Empire was born. It follows rivers and goat paths, tractor- and forestry tracks, and Roman and Ottoman paved roads. The terrain is rarely difficult. Narration was done by Frederic Moretti ([email protected]) #evliya #elebi #way #turkey #hike #walk #trip #travel #turkish #spring #hitchhiking #hiking #tourist #camping #tent #road #tractor #valery #shanin #backpacker #tea #foresty #track #path #ottoman #oung #family #afyon #bursa #simav #usak #documentary #backpack #adventure #explore #culture #nature #walker #group #chelebi #russian #traveller #rural #trails #trail #mountain #best #hikes #in #the #world #most #beautiful #backpacking #outdoor #tips #trek