We take you on a journey that will mesmerise you with its greenery and make you dizzy with its oxygen. The foothills of the Mount Ida are like a piece of paradise thanks to the living conditions they offer to both plants and animals. There are exactly 19 villages built on these foothills. One of them is Zeytinli, as beautiful as its name. The name Zeytinli may sound familiar because it is the home of the Zeytinli Rock Festival, the first of which was organised in 2005.
Those who have read Homer’s famous Iliad have already realised that Mount Ida is the mountain where Zeus was born. Even more interesting, it is said that Zeus watched the Trojan War from the summit of these mountains. In time, Mount Ida was replaced by the Kaz Mountains, because when the Turkmens settled in the region, the name of the sacred animal, the ‘goose’, which carried the God of Heaven on its back, was given here.
Reminder: Don’t forget to download the Piri Guide mobile application to visit Mount Ida step by step with your personal and digital tour guide!
Where is Mount Ida?
Mount Ida, which is connected to Edremit in Balıkesir province, is a mountain located between Çanakkale and Balıkesir.
How to get to Mount Ida?
To go to the Mount Ida region, you first need to go to Edremit. Various airline companies organise flights to Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport. You can take a taxi or private car from the airport to Mount Ida. Those who prefer the highway will get off at Edremit Bus Station or Akçay. There are minibuses going to Zeytinli in these two regions, you can first go to Zeytinli and then go up to Mount Ida.
When to go to Mount Ida?
Mount Ida are open to visitors every season due to its climate. However, it is not easy to visit here in winter. If your aim is to explore the mountains on foot, we recommend you not to go in winter. In the spring months, a lush green view welcomes you. It can rain here at any time, but you should especially keep your umbrella with you in spring time. If you are not one of those who like to get wet in the rain, you do not want to encounter a sudden surprise ☂️
No matter what season you go to Mount Ida, you should take some thick clothes. In other words, if you go in summer, don’t rely too much on the summer weather!
Mount Ida Places to Visit
We have listed the places you must see in Mount Ida below, but let us remind you that you can find much more on the Piri mobile application. The Piri mobile app offers you the most beautiful routes to Mount Ida, detects your location and automatically starts telling the story of wherever you are. You just need to put on your headphones and follow the route. Don’t start touring Mount Ida without downloading your personal mobile tour guide that moves completely according to your pleasure and speed!
Sahinderesi Canyon
Şahinderesi Canyon, located in the Kazdağı National Park, is known as the ‘windpipe’ of this geography because it is more than 25 kilometres long!
Here you can take a nature walk if you wish, or you can sit in the promenade area and drink tea. Let’s note for those who want to trek: Some of the trails in the canyon can be challenging for young children, so do not neglect to consult the field guides.
Şahinderesi Canyon is very peaceful in all seasons, but since the water level can be high in winter and spring, many people prefer summer or autumn months for their travels.
Hasan Drowned Waterfall
For those who are curious about the story of the name of the lake, let’s talk briefly. Hasan and Emine are two young lovers. Emine is a nomadic girl and Hasan lives in one of the neighbouring villages. Their families do not want the two lovers to marry, but when they realise that they cannot give up each other, they decide to put Hasan to a test: To carry a 40 okka (60 kg) sack of salt to the top of the mountain. Hasan, of course, loads the sack for the test and starts climbing the mountain. There are different versions of the story, but according to the most widespread narrative, Emine realises that Hasan has died in the pond here, where he got tired and went to cool off in the water, and she ends her own life with a writing she hangs on the branch of a plane tree. In other versions, the essence of the story does not change; Hasan and Emine cannot be reunited.
If you visit this lake with a sad story, do not neglect to see the ‘Sütüven Waterfall’ that feeds the pond. You will be amazed by this 17 metre high waterfall!
Altar of Zeus
This is a region that you can reach on foot from Adatepe Village and will take your breath away with its view. It is believed that Zeus watched both the first beauty contest between goddesses and the Trojan War from here. If you think ‘Beauty contest? I’ve never heard of it’, we explained it for you in our application at our Zeus Altar stop, you can listen to it.
This altar was created by carving rocks and there is a cistern called ‘Zeus Cave’ inside. The reason why there is a cistern here is to meet the clean water needs of the people living in the neighbourhood.
Antandros Ancient City
Some sources say that this region was one of the most important cities of the Troas region. Troas is the ancient name of the geography extending from the Biga Peninsula to the Kaz Mountains. Other sources argue that the region was within the borders of the neighbouring region of Mysia. In fact, we can say that Antandros was located on the border of two ancient regions.
The existence of this ancient city was first recognised in the 1840s; and in the early 1900s, the necropolis area of the city, i.e. the cemetery, was discovered. According to the necropolis excavations carried out mainly in the region, there was life in the city from the 8th century BC to the 7th century AD.
Mıhlı Waterfall & Başdeğirmen Bridge
This is another spot where you can watch the nature with tea or coffee.
It is estimated that the Başdeğirmen Bridge was the only crossing point on the river on the way to the city of Troy, located within the borders of Çanakkale. The 17 metre long bridge is made of stone. It was restored a few years ago and brought into tourism.
Since the dirt road leading to the bridge is a private property, we do not recommend you to enter this land. But if you have suitable shoes for walking on the water, you can reach the area where the bridge is located by following the Mıhlı Stream.
We invite our travellers who want to visit the island of Lesbos while coming to Mount Ida to read our Lesbos travel guide 😊
