Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi), Faralya Cliff Viewpoints and Kabak

Five kilometres south of Ölüdeniz along the wild western flank of Mount Babadağ, a sheer 350-metre-deep V-shaped limestone canyon slices down to a wide white pebble beach that has no road access from the outside world. Named after the colonies of black-and-orange Jersey Tiger moths (Euplagia quadripunctaria) that shelter in the humid, waterfall-fed back of the canyon from June to September, Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) and the neighbouring cliff villages of Faralya and Kabak represent the untamed edge of the Fethiye coast.

Important Safety Rule: The Two Ways to Experience Butterfly Valley

You can experience Butterfly Valley from sea level on the beach or from the 350-metre cliff edge above in Faralya, never attempt to hike down the vertical rock cliff between the two without a professional guide and ropes, as the unstable cliff path has steep vertical drops fixed with old ropes and is dangerous for casual walkers:

1. At Sea Level (By Boat from Ölüdeniz Beach): to swim on the beach and walk into the canyon floor to the waterfall, board either the dedicated Butterfly Valley Shuttle Boat (departing Belcekız Beach in Ölüdeniz in the late morning and in the afternoon, returning around midday and in the early evening) or one of the daily 6-Stop Ölüdeniz Boat Trips, which anchor at the beach for an hour.
2. From the Top (Faralya Village Viewpoints, 20 minutes from Ölüdeniz by Dolmuş or Car): ride the hourly Kabak / Faralya minibus (or drive) along the sweeping coastal corniche road past Kıdrak to Faralya (Uzunyurt). Pull off at the rocky ledge above the canyon (avoiding standing too close to the unrailed cliff edge) for one of the most famous panoramic photographs in Turkey, looking 350 metres straight down onto the white crescent beach and turquoise water, then enjoy fresh pomegranate juice or a sunset dinner at one of Faralya's cliff-edge boutique hotel terraces.

Continuing 10 Minutes Further to Kabak Bay (Kabak Koyu)

Stay on the same minibus to its terminus at Kabak, a deep pine-and-oleander amphitheatre valley ringed by the 800-metre peaks of the Babadağ range. Historically a rustic backpacker hideaway on the Lycian Way, Kabak now blends wooden treehouse camps and infinity-pool eco-lodges on the upper hillsides with a 20-minute footpath (or local tractor-shuttle / 4x4 minibus ride) down to the unspoiled pebble beach of Kabak Koyu and the hidden forest pools of Aladere Waterfalls.