Cehennem Deresi Canyon

Cehennem Deresi Canyon ("Hell Creek Canyon") is a narrow, deep and steep-walled karst gorge in the Ardanuç district of Artvin, in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region. It lies at the 25th kilometre of the Artvin-Ardanuç highway, roughly 7 kilometres from the district centre. Carved over millions of years by the Ardanuç Stream cutting through limestone, the fissure is famed for cliff walls that reach up to 200 metres, passages so tight a single person can barely squeeze through, and karstic caves and sinkholes. The canyon was officially declared a Nature Park on 1 May 2018, covering approximately 31.8 hectares.

Natural and geological features

The gorge runs for about 2.5 kilometres, widening to some 70 metres in places while pinching to shoulder-width slots elsewhere. Caves, sinkholes and small cascades shaped in the karst terrain give it a wild, primeval character. Although it is popularly claimed to be "the world's second deepest canyon after the Grand Canyon"—an exaggeration—it is undeniably among Turkey's most dramatic and least-spoiled canyons. The humid regional climate cloaks the steep slopes in dense vegetation and supports rich wildlife.

Tourism value and guided tours

As a natural waypoint on the Artvin-Ardanuç route, the canyon is heavily featured by agencies, largely because it pairs easily in a single day with Gevhernik (Adakale) Castle and the Yeni Rabat (Bulanik) Church. Nature-focused tours include a short but technical descent toward the canyon: the stony, wet and steep paths and narrow passages demand care. Average visit time is 45-60 minutes for photography and viewing at the entrance, or 2-3 hours for a walk into the gorge itself. The best photo spots are the upper viewing area overlooking the canyon from the road and the mouth of the narrow slot dropping to the water. Access is by private car or tour, about 25 minutes from Artvin city centre. Roadside parking for cars and tour buses is available, but the interior trails are not suitable for disabled access. The ideal season runs from late spring, once the snow melts, through autumn (May-October); summer is peak season, while winter snow and ice make the walk unsafe. On a route from Ardanuç, it is best taken as the first stop before continuing to Gevhernik Castle and the town centre.