The name Babadag is found all over the world and is translated from Turkic as “Father Mountain” (baba - grandfather, father; dag - peak), once again recalling the antiquity of its origin. The chronicler Strabo speaks of the importance of the mountain range in the southwest of modern Turkey, calling the northern peak of Babadag by the Greek word Cragus, and the southern peak Antikragus. Once upon a time, at the foot of Babadag stood the city of Kragus, which gave its name to two opposing peaks.
According to Strabo, the “ancient mountains of Cragus” had seven capes and eight peaks, from which the entire valley of the Xanthus River was clearly visible. Situated among the rocks, the city minted its own coins during Roman rule and was no less an important part of ancient Lycia than Xanthus or Pinara.
The amazing Mount Babadag is located in the southwestern part of Turkey, on the territory of historical Lycia, next to it passes the famous tourist trail “Lycian Way”, and at the foot stretches the Kidrak natural park. The mountain has a rich history, of which only echoes have reached us. However, the descendants of the people who once lived in these parts do not forget this beautiful place, descending from the centuries-old peaks of Babadag to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea on paragliders.
The area around Mount Babadag is important to modern conservationists. Endemic (not found anywhere else in the world) and Red Book species of plants grow on the slopes and at the foot of the mountain. The rich flora of this place includes dozens of plant species, including a rare species of maple (Acer undulatum), growing at an altitude of 1400-1800 meters above sea level. m., and cedar, used in shipbuilding. That is why the UNESCO World Heritage Fund included Mount Babadag in the list of sites that need to be preserved and protected.
At the foot of the mountain is the Kidrak Nature Park, overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in the Oludeniz resort. The waters of the lagoon are among the cleanest in the world.
Mount Babadag is located 5 km from the sea coast. Its rocky peaks are visible from anywhere in the Belchegiz Bay, located at the western foot of the massif. The waters of the bay also wash the famous Valley of Butterflies, which is surrounded by the Babadag rocks on all sides, making it mysterious and inaccessible to tourists.
Paragliding lovers rush down to the coast from two sites - the upper and lower start. The main start, neatly laid out with paving stones, is at an altitude of 1642 meters. People come here not only to fly, but also to admire the enchanting views of the coast.
On the eastern side of Babadag there is a road that runs along the top of the mountain and many small trails, so you can climb it on foot, turning it into a wonderful walk. This is exactly what the instructors of the “Unknown World” do when leading participants on a trek across Turkey to the top of Babadag. Walking along rocky mountain paths, the tourist is imbued with what he sees, and much more beauty remains in his memory. Sometimes the mountain is covered with clouds, gradually floating into the valley, reminiscent of a ghostly sea, and sometimes its whitish cliffs shine in the rays of the setting sun.
The top start was chosen by real paragliding professionals, practicing dangerous flight conditions here. The area, 15 meters long, is densely strewn with stones. After running 6-7 meters, the paraglider falls off the cliff and flies about 5 km to the sea. Newcomers fly to the coast from the lower platform.
Flying along the Babadag ridge, pilots descend into Oludeniz, directly onto the beaches, and immediately cool off in the sea. Those who are not afraid to take risks take home a lot of positive emotions and impressions.