Evaluating the Geomorphological Features and Geotourism Potentials of Harmankaya Canyon (Bilecik, Turkey)

Harmankaya Canyon is located within boundaries of Karahasanlar settlement near Yenipazar district and Harmanköy settlement near İnhisar district in the east of the province of Bilecik. It was declared an area of nature protection under the name of “Harmankaya Canyon Nature Park” in 2012 by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. This study introduces Harmankaya Canyon, in the first place, by discussing its geomorphological characteristics, which play a significant role in the declaration of canyon as a nature park, along with the formation. Then, it discusses the potentials born by the canyon as a newly emerging destination of geotourism. Harmankaya Canyon was created by Harmanköy Stream, one tributary of Sakarya River, within Bilecik limestones of Mesozoic age. The canyon is 2.3 km long and 650-700 m deep, with a difference of altitude of 136 m between the entrance and the exit. Having quite an impressive view, the canyon was mainly formed as a result of fluvial processes under the control of lithological, tectonic, and climatic factors together. Thanks to its geomorphological characteristics, the Harmankaya Canyon Nature Park offers both sports and social attractions, like geotourism bound by geographical formations, canyoning relying on natural sources, trekking, rock-climbing, rafting, paragliding, and photography. Considering its location close to the larger Turkish cities, such as Istanbul, Bursa, Kocaeli, and Eskişehir and accessibility, the Harmankaya Canyon Nature Park is thought to meet all criteria for a destination of day-trips and weekend excursions for a relief from urban stress or for indulging in nature. SWOT (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis was performed to unveil the touristic potential of the canyon. As a result, it was found to pose far more strengths and opportunities than weaknesses and threats.

Bayraktar, E., Kılınç, İ., & Erkocaoğlu, F. (2018). Classification of Sportive Canyons in Turkey. Anatolia Canyoning Club (ACC). Retrieved from http://acc.org.tr/kanyon-siniflandirma/.

Bilgin, T. (1980). Structure, Surface and Drainage in Middle Sakarya Plateaus. TBTAK Projesi, Proje No: TBAG275, s. 302.

Bozic, S., & Tomic, N. (2015). Canyons and Gorges as Potential Geotourism Destinations in Serbia: Comparative Analysis from Two Perspectives-General Geotourists and Pure Geotourists. Open Geosciences, 7, 531-546.

Dowling, R. K. (2013). Global Geotourism―An Emerging Form of Sustainable Tourism. Czech Journal of Tourism, 2(2), 59-79.

Dowling, R. K., & Newsome, D. (2006). Geotourism. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.

Hose, T. A. (1995). Selling the story of Britain’s stone. Environmental Interpretation, 10(2), 16-17.

Hose, T. A. (2008). Toward a history of geotourism: Definitions, antecedents and the future. Geological Society, London: Special Publications.

Hose, T. A., Markovic, S. B., Komac, B., & Zorn, M. (2011). Geotourism―A short introduction. Acta Geographica Slovenica, 51(2), 339-342.

Koçan, N. (2013). Using and Protection Potential of Kızılcahamam-Çamlıdere Region Geological Heritage. Kastamonu Üniversitesi, Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 13(1), 36-47.

Newsome, D., & Dowling, R. K. (2010). Geotourism: The tourism of geology and landscape. Oxford, UK: Goodfellow Publishers.

Newsome, D., Dowling, R. K., & Leung, Y. F. (2012). The nature and management of geotourism: A case study of two established iconic geotourism destinations. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2(3), 19-27.

Newsome, D., Moore, S. A., & Dowling, R. K. (2013). Natural area tourism: Ecology, impacts and management (2nd ed.). Bristol: Channel View Publications.

Ólafsdóttir, R., & Tverijonaite, E. (2018). Geotourism: A systematic literature review. Geosciences, 8, 234.