The so called, by us, Western part is a huge territory of Turkey, that covers land with many different geographical characteristic. From the lowlands of European part of Turkey, through part of Black sea coast to the huge nothingness of Anatolian plateau.

Though I said that this area has nothing much to offer, the truth is that we did not spend to much time around this part, so may be after deeper touch with this land lot's of great places for climbing could come up. Still, it is a proved fact that in internet there is not much info about climbing location.

The impression that we got while traveling around was definitely of a huge space of land and nothingness. Big and middle size cities located at a 150 - 200 km one from another and between then villages and hilly land. Still there are parts of the Taurus Mountains that offer higher mountain terrain, as well.

Another important thing is that two of the biggest cities of Turkey are here - Istanbul (17 million) and Ankara (4 million, the capital). So, if you are looking for a contact with local climber, shops for equipment or climbing wall, these are the cities.

ISTANBUL

Overview: Istanbul is the biggest town in Turkey with population over 15 millions. It forms a huge agglomeration combining many villages and small cities. This, of course, makes navigation through this urban labyrinth a bit of a challenge, especially if you are a hitch-hiker. Being the biggest city and apparently mostly influenced by eastern and foreign impact, the city is a place where you can get in touch with many climbers and seek for detail information. Check external link section for link to local climbing walls, clubs and shops.

What we did and saw:We spend only one night in Istanbul on our way east to the Balikkaylar climbing location. Getting out of the city was fun. We choose public transport as you have the opportunity to travel a distance of 60 km for 1,5 lira per person, still this will not be enough to leave the agglomeration of the city.

What we heard of: We find only one crag near the city, detail information further the page, but we spoke with many people and nobody share information about another place for climbing near the city
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BALLIKAYALAR

Overview: Ballikayalar is a medium size crag located 60 km south-east from Istanbul near the city of Gebze. The crag offers around 80 routes covering large scale of grades starting from 5b. Route are spread around several sectors on both sides of the canyon. The rock it self is white limestone, a bit eroded at some of the sectors. Climbing is possible almost all around the year, still during the winter depends on the current weather conditions.

What we did and saw: We spent only one night at Ballikayalar. Actually, we used the place much more like a campsite than a climbing location, still we had some bits of climbing. However, for s getting to the crag happened to be much more fun than the very stay there. Though, it is near to Istanbul, getting there without having a car is a bit tricky. We go there with public transport as it is much faster than leaving Istanbul hitch-hiking and the price if the tickets is more than reasonable. We changed several means of transport starting with a ferry, changing with a train, two of the typical stuffed minibuses used as a pulic transport in Turkey and finally hitch-hiking, though we didn`t plan it.
The exact name of the location is Ballikayalar Tabiat Parki, which happened to be some sort of preserved territory, though it didn’t look like this. It was easy to understand that we are at the exact place as after following the signs that deviate from the main road we reached a lake where the road finished. There is something like forest restaurant with campsite that was out of order, but in process of restoration as we were welcomed by two of the workers who were also sleeping there.
We choose to visit the sectors on the left side of the canyon. Routes that we find were varying from overhangings to plates and dihedrals. All were single-pitch routes, sufficiently bolted, but still bolting around the sectors was very different in age and type.
Free camping is possible and very pleasant there though you are near the civilization and constantly hear and see signs from it.

What we heard of: Many people said to us that this is the only place for climbing near Istanbul, but still I seriously doubt that fact, so some further inquiry might be useful. We visit the place on 22.12.2010 and temperatures were perfect form climbing, however in other cases it can be impossible.
More pictures here:
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KARAKAYA

Overview: Karakaya is one of the well-known climbing crags around Turkey. It is located near the town of Eskisehir, next to the village of Kaymaz. The formation represents a granite ridge that dominates the plateau landscape. The solid granite, split by variety if crags, offers perfect conditions for pure crack climbing. Totally, there are around 80 routes, many of them bolted nowadays. Most of them single pitch. The area is developed as boulder crag, as well.

What we did and saw: We did not visit Karakaya.

What we heard of: We spoke with many climbers about Karakaya as we have great interest toward the place. Most of them, like the place and refer to it as great place for climbing. However, tension can be felt when locals speak about the crag. In my opinion, the reason for this is the fact that some of the Turkish climbers disapprove of bolting the routes on Karakaya as they offer perfect opportunities for natural protection. Others support the opinion that if you want to trad a route you can always trad it even if it is bolted.
Though the ethical problems, Karakaya is both interesting place for climbing and a natural formation. Camping is possible.
More pictures here:
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ANKARA

Overview:Ankara is the capital and second largest city in Turkey. Though located in the heart of Turkey, amidst the Anatolian Plateau, the way it is organized is much different from the rest of the Turkish towns. Everything is calm and look well coordinate, but still public transport is sort of a challenge. There are two climbing walls, shop for equipment (link further in the review) and small crag for outdoor climbing within the city. Also getting in touch with local climber is easy and possible, they are very helpful and self-motivated to share information with you.

What we did and saw: We mange to meet with several climbers in Ankara. First our CS host Kerim and his friend Murat, than a group of young climbers in Hacettepe University. Climbing in Hacettepe University was amazing experience that perfectly represents the Turkish notion of hospitality. We had some hitch-hiking experience inside the huge campus of the university with English teacher that drove us to the climbing wall, where we easily found the person responsible for climbing and mountaineering who allowed us to climb for free in the university. At the wall we met some local young climbers, with who we exchange some info, though our Turkish is a crap. We also manage to visit the local shop for gear that offers everything that you might need, including some skiing equipment.


What we heard of: There is another boulder wall maintained by the Turkish search and rescue called AKUT. We couldn’t visit the local climbing crag, which offers mainly single-pitch trad routes
More pictures here:
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