Mount Babadag

✍ Kostiantyn Klynov

Babadağ - Babadag

Babadag is a dominant height in the Fethiye-Oludeniz region. The literal translation of the name is “Father-Mountain”. Paragliding and trekking center. Due to the features of the relief, it is sometimes called a ridge. The height of the main peak is 1969 meters above sea level, the distance from the peak to the coast is about 5 km. At the top there is a huge flagpole and an equipped observation deck with a 360-degree view.

Where is it located?

Türkiye, Mugla district, Fethiye district, suburb of Ovacek/Oludeniz
GPS coordinates N36.53032577° E29.18094012°
Babadag on Google map

How to get to the mountain and peak

First, from Fethiye you need to take transport going from the center of Fethiye to Oludeniz to get to the suburb of Ovacek. If you rented a car, this will not be difficult. If you use local transport, then you need Dolmuska going from Fethiye to Oludeniz. Then there are many options.

Asphalt road. The turn onto this road takes place directly in Ovacek. This road is a mountain serpentine, so be prepared for a surge of adrenaline, but also for the fact that many can get motion sickness. Until recently, the Oludeniz - Baba Dag minibus was operated along this road during the season. In addition, it is also used by paragliders with their equipment.

Ropeway. Let's talk about it in more detail, it consists of three lines. The first stage (up to an altitude of 1700 m) - comfortable closed cabins. The second and third stages are open chairlifts. The highest station is at the top. The lower station of the cable car is located directly on the Ovacek-Oludeniz highway, approximately halfway along the route. The second and third stages may not work in winter; the chairs are removed from the cable. The road took a long time to build and was opened for the summer season of 2021. Now a significant increase in the flow of tourists to Baba-Dag is expected.

Hiking trail. The hiking trail also starts from Ovacik. And its first part is the famous Lycian Way. Directly from the arch and up to a height of approximately 700 meters. Then you have to turn off and follow a less traveled path that goes out onto the ridge directly below the cable car and ends at station 1700. There is also an option to climb along a dirt road from the village of Kerme. But they are used less often.

What to do on the mountain?

Paragliding. You can jump with an instructor, or you can jump on your own if you have the appropriate training. Or you can simply watch and photograph paragliders taking off. Multi-colored baths and the dynamism of what is happening make this activity quite exciting! There are five(!) starting sites on the mountain in different directions. The main launch site is at level 1700. There is also a restaurant there with a beautiful outdoor terrace. Where can you watch the flights?

Tracking. Of course, a lot depends on your physical condition and mood. You don't have to go to the top. It is enough just to walk along a section of the same Lycian Way and enjoy the views of the sea, the Oludeniz lagoon and the surrounding mountains.

Mountain biking. Recently, another type of recreation in the mountains has been gaining momentum. Moreover, just on Baba-dag, taking into account the fact that there are more than one roads to the top and from the top, this is becoming very popular.

Service

The most popular place is the restaurant at the starting point 1700 meters. In addition to the restaurant itself with a terrace there is an artificial pond, a cable car station, and a bridge with a paved floor leading to the restaurant. The place is quite equipped and well maintained, there are toilets. Above this place there are only launch pads.

On the trekking trails you will also find small family cafes where you can relax, drink juice and admire the views.

Accommodation

Hotels. There is no housing directly on the mountain. Therefore, those who prefer comfort are advised to look for hotels in Ovacek.

Tents. In the villages along the trekking routes you can find a couple of campsites. The mountain is large and, if you have time, you can find quite a lot of convenient places for setting up tent camps on its slopes. True, the nearest spring is located far from the top - at an altitude of about 1300 m near the expensive Babakamp glamping site (N36.51615710° E29.17318009°). Theoretically, you could bring water with you or get it in the toilet at the upper station of the cable car. But now there are no secluded sites left directly on the top. At least during the "season". You can try to quietly set up one tent, somewhere on a bend in a technical road (dirt road), but nothing more.

Prices

Prices greatly depend on the season and the influx of tourists. Especially for paragliding services, especially since the service also includes delivery to the top of the paraglider, instructor and equipment. Transport is becoming more affordable, at least prices are fixed. Dolmus Fethiye-Ovacek in November 2021 cost around 9 liras per person. The situation with the cable car is more complicated. Here the staff quickly responds to changes in the situation and, for example, in September 2021, the price of a round-trip ticket reached 100 lire.