To anyone who begins reading this, I would like you to be absorbed by the magnificence of a serene song or melody that is a temporary transition into your self-formed reality, only to truly enjoy the experience and beauty of this place through literal methods.
Maden Deresi is a hide-out in Karasu, quite similar to the escape you must’ve formed with a song of your choice, deep into the natural canvas of breathtaking Sakarya. Getting there is a ride that you can choose to make enjoyable – there’s no public transport once you embark on the journey from the town center. It’s you, and the spirit of curiosity that you take along the winding roads surrounded with lush-greens of trees and the distracting road signs trying to lure you into a fish meal.
You arrive at the foothills of Maden Deresi, and that’s when your real preparation begins. While it is an ideal summer mini-hike, be very cautious of the shoes you wear for the paths to reach the miniature paradise.
Initially, you’d wonder if the fuss was all about the tiny stream flowing undisturbed with tables on top for a picnic by the water. You’re definitely wrong there.
The history that encapsulates this particular place is of course in its name. Maden Deresi is basically a Mineral Mine which was inhabited by French workers almost a century ago. The mine and its passage are still there – and it is indeed a path you can take to get to the anticipated waterfall at the end.
I indeed give away the real anticipation – the waterfall. But that was bound to happen eventually. For the sake of your excitement and mine, there is a waterfall that truly attracts all who set forth on the path to this part of Kocaeli.
The little heaven is well-hid behind a curtain of evergreen leaves that reflect their shades of sun-kissed yellows when the light collides against them – and you venture into this cluster of natural beauty that also encircles you with its tranquil sound of bird-hums and insect music. In truth, this musical composition of nature complimented with a canvas of raw earth is the sort of art that hardly ever receives its deserved praise – a priceless masterpiece by the artist in the skies.
The hike past the mineral mine is challenging if you’re tall, given the openings were initially designed solely to accommodate trollies for transporting the excavations. It is, of course, a thrill on its own. You question the presence of spiders and other tiny creatures once inside and are bound to play with the echo that resonates till one end of the tunnel. It’s recommended you keep a torch on you, but if you’re blessed with good vision, the dying light from the sun can be a fair enough guide as well.
The tunnels run along the edges of the hills and once outside you have to walk sideways to protect yourself from falling into nature’s thorny wrath that lies below. It’s both alarming but exhilarating at the same time – just make sure you don’t forget your sense of adventure for this particular trip.
Approximately two tunnels later you will again wind up on the single-file path that will lead you to the waters. Every now and then an average boulder will ask of you to jump over it, some spaces between the rocks will have you splitting your legs open. But, there aren’t chances of dying, let’s get that out of the way.
With a walk against nature in this secluded Shangri-la, the noise from the moving waters gets louder, and your excitement grows bigger. It is not long, although you’ve walked a good hour at least before you find yourself slowly welcomed by brighter sunlight and the sound of water crashing against the earth.
And here you are, at the waterfall.
Your feet will walk through water from here on. They will step into an opening right above the waterfall where you’ll find benches to sit, drinks to refresh with and gözleme to fulfill your arrival. By walking crosswise, an almost dam-like structure of boulders separates the calm waters you’ve passed, and the waterfall that flows down below. I personally consider it the best seat in the house, because you can look down below to where people have settled for shallow swims and showers.
The waterfall flows in its independent, undisturbed hysteria, except this hysteria is one of the most soothing experiences your eyes will go through. With your legs dangling downwards, and your eyes fixated on the white water, the serenity of Maden Deresi is at its peak, and you are on top of the miniature kingdom.
The place even allows you to play Tarzan once you decide to descend down to the waters. The path is fairly steep, so the trees bear ropes for you to hold as you do your best Tarzan impression and walk-hop your way down to the edges of the waterfall.
Once down, you can find yourself at the end of the stream and can make this route your way back to where you started.
With rocks to jump and hold between the flow and a sideways path of slippery mud and tree barks, the way back to the entrance is equally thrilling. A thick and steady stick can be a good companion for this particular journey, partially because the water causes you to lose balance and the grip of your feet isn’t sturdy enough.
This walk too will take you a good hour or two. You will contemplate as to why this won’t end, but its an energizing test of one’s stamina and endurance. Take a seat on the majestic boulders every once in a while, absorb the greenery around you. Let your feet be cleansed from the flow of the water.
All in all what is a breathless experience from an adventurer’s perspective when it comes to enjoying the collision of nature’s most powerful and sovereign elements in Earth and Water, Maden Deresi should not be kept away from the list of to-dos once you decide to travel Turkey. Especially when it comes to more intricate, locally-oriented travels. A visitor’s trip to beautiful Sakarya is incomplete if they don’t make the trip to this curtained abode of existence. Although it may seem like a lot of effort, getting their amounts to every endeavor.
Maden Deresi should be best traveled to during the humbly warm days of Spring, and the Summer is entirely appropriate because of the cool water.
It’s best to keep old sports shoes to wear when going through the water and eroded terrains since most of the walk are influenced by the two. Travel light as food is found at the feet of the stream in waterbed restaurants. A barbecue is definitely not a bad idea, either.
Iyi Yolculuklar!
