The exciting first steps on the Historic Zengibar Road

The historic Zengibar Hiking Trail, which is 102 kilometers long and has been brought into tourism by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, hosted its first promotional hike, lasting four days. Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay expressed that they have been carrying out significant efforts to promote the cultural and natural riches of the city and enhance tourism diversity in Konya. He highlighted the conversion of the historic Zengibar Hiking Trail into a tourist attraction as one of these efforts. Beginning from Bozkır and passing through the neighborhoods of Hadim and Taşkent to conclude at Bolay Plateau, Mayor Altay recalled the completion of safety inspections, route mapping, and signage installation for nature enthusiasts along the 102-kilometer trail in recent months. He emphasized their determination to promote Konya's hidden natural beauty to Turkey and the world by leveraging this historically significant hiking route. The inaugural promotional hike saw approximately 300 mountaineers from 23 clubs and hiking groups across Turkey embark on a memorable journey along the Zengibar Road, lasting four days. This journey facilitated the encounter of nature and history enthusiasts with the rich natural landscapes and historical heritage of the region. Mayor Altay extended an invitation to all nature lovers to explore this unique historic route and experience the riches of Konya. He reassured their commitment to continue working towards enhancing Konya's tourism potential in the future, as they have done until now.

Nature enthusiasts gathered to explore the hiking route.

Following the completion of exploration, route mapping, signage installation, and arrangement works by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, the first stage hike covering a 13-kilometer section of the trail took place last December. This time, from May 1st to 4th, nearly 300 mountaineers from 23 clubs and hiking groups across Turkey assembled to explore the remaining portion of the hiking route. Participants in the four-day hiking event on the historic Zengibar Hiking Trail expressed great satisfaction in being immersed in nature and history. They commended the established hiking route and expressed gratitude to the Konya Metropolitan Municipality for the organization.

An American nature enthusiast from Antalya, who participated, stated, "I really like this geography; the mountains, forests. Hadim, Taşkent are even more beautiful than I thought. We passed by two ancient cities. It's a very nice route. I want to thank the Konya Metropolitan Municipality. They organized it very well."

Akay Samanoğlu, the President of the Iskenderun Mountaineering Club, also expressed their admiration for the Zengibar Hiking Trail, saying, "A beautiful trail has been made. I thank all the friends who contributed."

Additional trails and new routes will be added to the historic path.

In the coming days, the Konya Metropolitan Municipality will introduce additional trails and new routes on the historic Zengibar Hiking Trail, which already boasts many hiking paths, to further engage nature enthusiasts. Additionally, the "Bal Route" of the Zengibar Hiking Trail, designed for boutique hikes, will soon be unveiled. Named after the Zengibar Castle in Isauria, which was once considered one of the largest cities of ancient Rome, the hiking trail spans the boundaries of Hadim, Taşkent, and Bozkır. Guided by scientific reports, the Zengibar Hiking Trail route includes valleys, canyons, dams, ancient roads, plateaus, passes, ancient cities, cisterns, historical bridges, forests, caves, endemic plants, and vineyards.