Artvin’s canyon to welcome tourists

ARTVİN - Anadolu Agency

DHA photo

The “Cehennem Deresi” (Hell’s Creek) Canyon in the Ardanuç district of Turkey’s northeastern province of Artvin, which is said to be the world’s second highest canyon after the Grand Canyon in the U.S., is to be promoted to woo more tourists, according to the Artvin governor. 

“We want to promote this magnificent canyon and draw tourists to the region,” said Artvin Governor Kemal Cirit, adding that they had conducted “various infrastructure works” in the canyon in the Black Sea province. 

“For the road between the start and end of the canyon, wooden staircases have been built. But this is not enough. In the coming days, we will illuminate the canyon. If this place is to become a tourism spot, tourists should spend a few hours here. So we also need to open up various other venues in the canyon,” Cirit said. 

Despite woe in Turkey’s embattled tourism sector, Cirit said Artvin had “great expectations” from the new tourism season. 

“Rather than sea, sun and sand, we are working for alternative tourism in Artvin. The city has lakes, rivers, natural parks and biosphere reserves. The Hell’s Creek Canyon is the second highest in the world. But it does not welcome many tourists. We will focus on changing this,” he added. 

Located 34 kilometers from the Artvin city center, the canyon is little known outside the province itself. The imposing canyon has a surface of 1,068 square-meters, a height of 180 meters and a width of 70 meters.