Karanlık Canyon Explained

Karanlık Canyon
Other Name:Karanlık Kanyon
Map:Turkey
Location:İliç-Kemaliye, Erzincan Province, Turkey
Relief:yes
Label:Karanlık Canyon
Label Position:right
Coordinates:39.27°N 38.4976°W
Watercourses:Karasu River

Karanlık Canyon (Turkish: Karanlık Kanyon), literally "Dark Canyon", is a deep steep-sided gorge located between the İliç and Kemaliye districts of Erzincan Province, Turkey, formed by Karasu River on the Munzur Mountains.

The Munzur Mountains, which run in about east–west direction, are split by north–south directed narrow valleys formed by streams. The formation in Kemaliye area, created by Karasu River, is called Kemaliye Pass (Turkish: Kemaliye Boğazı). Its part between the Bağıştaş village of İliç and the Dutluca village of Kemaliye is named Karanlık Canyon. The canyon is long, deep and wide at the base featuring almost 90% rocky slope gradient.

The canyon offers outdoor recreational activities such as rock climbing and boat rides.