Ağlasun: Sagalassos, the Plane Tree and Hiking Trails

A stay in Ağlasun can be planned around a variety of themes: Sagalassos lies seven kilometres north of the town, while the historic plane tree stands in Cumhuriyet Square. Hiking routes pass through the neighbourhoods, across groves to Yeşilbaşköy, and from Ağlasun to Sagalassos. If you are looking for a hotel in Ağlasun, these destinations provide concrete starting points for planning your stay.

Sagalassos and its buildings

Sagalassos lies on the slopes of Akdağ at an altitude of about 1,700 metres. The ancient city is considered one of the best-preserved in Asia Minor and was added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List in 2009. The Antonine Nymphaeum is considered its most striking structure. The Neon Library has been restored; the Roman bath is among the ancient city’s surviving standing structures. These varied features give the site a clear archaeological focus, which you can take into account when planning your time in Ağlasun.

Historic traces in town

The historic plane tree stands in Cumhuriyet Square. It is approximately 1,000 years old and has a diameter of 3.30 metres. The surrounding area has been landscaped with greenery and enclosed by a metal fence so visitors can sit beneath the tree. Fifty metres downhill to the east of the tree, a small Seljuk hammam stands in a courtyard. It was built around 1220 as a caravanserai hammam. Check the current condition of the area around the tree and the hammam locally before planning your visit.

Landscape and hiking routes

Ağlasun lies on the southern slopes of 2,276-metre-high Akdağ, in the inner part of the Western Taurus Mountains and in the Lakes Region of the Mediterranean Region. The Tuzlu Çay flows through the centre of Ağlasun District; a fertile, U-shaped plain lies along the stream. A watermill on the Tuzlu Çay is still in operation. Ask locally whether it is currently running.

A hiking route through Ağlasun’s neighbourhoods takes either 1.5 hours over 3.2 kilometres or 2.5 hours over 5.1 kilometres. A second route passes through the groves and landscape of Ağlasun to neighbouring Yeşilbaşköy and takes about 1.5 hours over 3.8 kilometres. The third runs from Ağlasun to Sagalassos and takes approximately two hours over 4.8 kilometres. This lets you compare the routes by time and distance. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Regional cuisine and getting there

There are eight trout farms in Ağlasun and Yeşilbaşköy with restaurant areas where trout is served to visitors. As individual businesses may change, check in advance which options are currently available. Ağlasun is also known for cherries and walnuts. This adds a regional perspective on food to the historical and landscape themes without assuming that there is a specific market or tasting venue.

Ağlasun District is accessible only by road. Check local road conditions before setting out.

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