4a. Crossing Eastern Turkey: 34 days

Route Descriptions

1. Anacleto, Mario and Rinaldo's 2008 journey over 34 days: Istanbul, Turkey to Antioch, Turkey. The document includes a map with detailed route description, and accommodation details. With thanks to Martina Landolt.

1. Istanbul - Tuzla

From the convent of the Capuchins in Yeşilköy Bakirköy reached by public transport, maritime station of departure of the ferry to Bostanci, station arrival on the Asian side. From Bostanci follow the sea, than you know, Kartal and Pendik, and continue on this until the coast road that joins the dual carriageway turn decidedly left side go straight onto the CD Liman, old way for a road to Tuzla. At the traffic light turn left on Blv Tuzla. and reach Yayla where, going right, you arrive in Tuzla.

Partial km: 27; progressive Km: 27

2. Tuzla - Hereke

Along the Istasyon Cd. reach the station, go underneath the railroad and take the Ibis Aga CD, continue along this, cross a dual carriageway and go straight to reach the national road D100 dual carriageway. Turn right and continue along the shore to the intersection with traffic lights, where you can see that the same plane, which runs alongside the left lane (no traffic and docks), becomes one-way through and get onto the same plane and continue to Sifa. Leave the D100 junctions before taking on the left, cross a dual carriageway, take the 101.Sk that, go straight,becomes the Ali Haydar Effendi CD. At the roundabout turn right on Yeni Bagdat CD and long this reach the stage of Gebze; hence turn right on Iliyasbey Cd and, in just over 300m, it's back onD100.

Because of the difficulty in identifying the Ali Haydar Efendi Cd, as happened to us, you should not leave the D100 at SIFA, but continue along this until Gebze, and, turning left, enter the city along the uphill road, across town and back onto the D100. Long overcome this Dilovasi and proceed between the highway and the sea; leave the D100 After about 1km a Hotels in a panoramic position overlooking the sea and take a road that descends steeply to the right on the coast. Continuing along this, even when it becomes a dirt road, arriving at Hereke.

Partial km: 36; progressive Km: 63

3. Hereke - Kocaely

Ignoring the D100 out of the land along the road that skirts the sea, keeping the railway on the left, continue until just before Kirazliyali (km 8), where this road joins in the D100. And continue to exceed Korfez Sirintepe (km 18); After about 200m from the stadium of the city take the right road slightly downhill (Akgun CD reads on a pole after about 150m) that develops parallel to the D100. Once on the highway and affiancatala for about 200m, cross the railroad overpass through which branches off to the right and follow signs Seka Park; straight ahead, past the beautiful park, taking the train left. Arrived at the station underneath the bridge, turn right, go underneath the road and arrive in the city center.

Partial km: 26; progressive Km: 89

4. Kocaely - Yeşiltepe (Adapazari)

Leave the town and the beautiful tree-lined avenue and continue straight until you come on D100, continue on this, pass the junction for Uzuntarla and reach Esme (Km 23), Lake Sapanca with the right.

Continue until Yesiltepe (km 37), the large junction, turn left to Adapazari (km 5) where there is opportunity to stay. To avoid these last 5km off course, at the junction you can take one of the frequent minibus (otobus) to the center of Adapazari.

Partial km: 37; progressive Km: 126

5. Yeşiltepe - Kuzuluk

Return to the junction on the D100 and continue until you reach a big intersection with Junction, continue straight, cross the river Sakarya and the next major intersection with traffic lights.After about 1km from the intersection leave the D100 (km 6) and, entering the valley of the river Mudurnu, turn right Bekirpaşa; beyond the village and come with placing Sogut Cd, turn left and head towards this Kasanci. Leave the paved road when the turn right at right angles to overcome the highway and continue straight on beautiful dirt road that, after about 3.5 km, again becomes paved. Go over the highway and reach the first houses of Kasanci (km 18), exceeded by about 200 a sawmill does not go straight, but take far left and arrive in the village center. Exit the village and the junction with the D140, cross the road and continue for Kabakulak (km 20), turn right to come here Akyazi (km 25). Drive through the town bending sharply to the right, go along the road to Karaçalilik (km 29) and continue to take the D140 (km 31); ignore the signs Road and take an immediate left Kuzuluk reaching the highway.

Partial km: 34; progressive Km: 160

6. Kuzuluk - Taşkesti

Continue on the D140, overcome Şerefiye, Reşadive, Beldibi, reaching Dedeler (km 17) to continue and reach Dokurkun (km 22) from the road on the right off the main road. Leave the country following the old D140, which soon became a nice little road that rises gently toward the left side of the river valley Mudurnu; pass the junction for Tavşansuyu (km 25) and that for Akyokuş (km 32), falling off to the right, and continue to climb; Alakam pace, altitude 725m, the descent towards Taşkesti at an altitude of 420m. After two miserable villages and reached the D140 does not come into the country, but to reach the main road turning right after about 1km, at the 'otel situated in a service station.

Partial km: 40; progressive Km: 200

7. Taşkesti - Mudurnu

Continue along the D140 until kilometer 38 (mile-sign), when it bends sharply to the right take the road that continues straight (km 23). Getting to the D160 (km 29) and turn right on this.Turn right and at the junction ignore the signs for Ankara that lead to the right, and straight reaching Mudurnu, about 900m above sea level.

Partial km: 27; progressive Km: 227

8. Mudurnu - Nallihan

Exit of Mudurnu onto the dirt road which leads to Timaraktaş, well marked by a signpost. The road climbs to a height of 1325m Karayokus pitch, then down to 1100m altitude of Timaraktaş (km 9). In the small village turn right and go down to take the D655 (km 11), turn left, come to Ciller (km 20), continue straight and take on D170. Turn left and go Doğandere (km 22) Then Bozyaka (km 32), D170 becomes the D140 seamlessly and along this we arrive at Nallihan, at an altitude of 625m.

Partial km: 41; Km progressive: 268

9. Nallihan - Çayirhan

It leaves the city along the D140: Anatolia begins rolling plateau. Continue along the road past the northern end of the reservoir of the river and reach Davutoğlan Aladag (km 23); continue along the main road and reach Çayirhan.

Partial km: 35; progressive Km: 303

10. Çayirhan - Beypazari

Continue along the D140 and, again along this, come to Beypazari.

Partial km: 24; progressive Km: 327

11. Beypazari - Ayaş

On reaching Dibecik D140 (km 15), continue and pass Akkaya (km 21). Go straight and after about 15km you will reach the first houses Ayaş: attention, there are still at least 5km to the town, which is reached after a long stretch rose at an altitude of about 700m.

Partial km: 41; progressive Km: 368

12. Ayaş - Sincan

Leave the D140, turn right and go down in the center of the country, then straight start climbing past the antennas that are held on the left, past the cemetery and down to a small pond. From here, aiming at a large quarry, begins the long but gentle climb from 700m to 1300m of the lake port of the pass, which began the descent over the junction to Gökler (Km 9) and continue for Yenikent (km 23), at an altitude of about 800m. Do not enter the country, but go straight and when the road makes a curve to the right take the second road that branches off to the left and go back to the D140. Continue to the right, pass Gökçek and, just before a junction with junctions, merge onto a small road that branches off to the right. Follow this for about 150m, turn left and then a right, pass a channel and get in Sincan.

Partial km: 30; progressive Km: 398

13. Sincan - Ankara (not verified: see notes of travel)

Basically it is a city tour. From downtown, take the CD and continue along this Atatürk, came to Etimesgut (km 10) turn left onto the ramp that leads into Etifer CD, which reports on the D140.After about 500m take the exit right and merge onto Istanbul Yolu, continue straight, past a junction with junctions, alongside the park until it ends on the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Blv, continue straight, past a large intersection with exits and enters Istanbul CD and on this reach the center of Ankara.

Partial km: 27; progressive Km: 425

14. Ankara - Golbasi (not verified: see notes of travel)

It leaves the city along the E90-D750 (south). Take the Ataturk Blv, Güven Park and beyond the junction with the joints Akay Cd (left) and Ismet Inönü Blv turn right on the latter. After about 500m, past green area, turn left onto CD Dikmen, is a long avenue that is followed to its end, where you enter the Mevlana Cd (km 13) which is already the E90-D750. Take on the left, past a large intersection with rights and clearances, continuing straight ahead on the Konya Yolu reach Golbasi.

Partial km: 20; progressive Km: 445

15. Golbasi - Ahiboz

Along the E90-D750 leaves the small lake Mogan the right and reaches Oğulbey (km 13), pass Yağlipinar (km 17), and when the E90 turn right, go straight and enter Ahiboz.

Partial km: 24; progressive Km: 469

16. Ahiboz - Motel Soforler (Gűlbaği)

Follow the E90-D750 and switch Soğulkak (km 9); pass the junction for Bezirhane (km 4), the junction for Çimşit (km 10) and the junction with the road 06-51 (km 13) which branches off to the right. Continue on the E90, to reach Gűlbaği (km 30) and continue until you reach the Motel Soforler.

Partial km: 40; progressive Km: 509

17. Motel Soforler - Sanal Park

Also on the E90-D750 Karahamzali crossing (km 8), the junction to Kulu (km 10) and reach Şekerköy (km 31). Continue straight to reach the Tuz Golu (Salt Lake), at an altitude of 905m, and continue until Sanal Park.

Partial km: 46; progressive Km: 555

18. Sanal Park - Şereflikoçhisar

Also on the E90-D750, you enter Şereflikoçhisar onto the road which goes off to the left of the E90, as the arches of the city.

Partial km: 19; progressive Km: 574

19. Şereflikoçhisar - Altinkaya

Along the E90-D750 go into nothing, except some service station, and reach Altinkaya.

Partial Km: 43, progressive Km: 617

20. Altinkaya - Aksaray

Also on the E90-D750 exceed the junction with the D757 (km 18), reaching the junction for Nevşehir (km 32) and get in Aksaray.

If you nights in Altinkaya not go right back on the E90, but go on a road parallel to Sarayhan (km 4) and Acipinar (km 12) where you turn right, back in about 1km on the E90.

Partial km: 35; progressive Km: 652

21. Aksaray - Taspinar

For difficulty finding the way (Caddesi) you should not make the journey that, in passing, reports on the E90-D750 after the industrial area, stretching of 2-3km should immediately take the E90 (km 4). In front stands the silhouette of Mount Hasan (3268m), reached the junction to Konya (km 6), keep left for Adana. Overcoming Hamidiye (km 14) and continue until, on the right, at the usual indicators arches, comes off the road to Taspinar, this long, slightly uphill at first and then with a short descent, we arrive in the quaint village.

Partial km: 25; progressive Km: 677

22. Taspinar - Zengen

Exit and return to the south on D750-E90 (km 1), continue straight along this with about 9 km, cross the junction and the village of Karakaören Akçakent (km 11). The wide curve of the end comes off a straight road left and shortly after, right off the road is 42.28 (km 25), continue on the E90 and take on what is practically a straight line of about 40km. Straight you reach the junction with the D330 for Zengen where, at the tiny village, the stage ends.

Partial km: 45; progressive Km: 722

23. Zengen - Ulukişla

On the E90-D750 Yenikoy reach (km 12) and continue, shortly after the end of the straight you will reach the big intersection with the entrance on the highway (km 22). From here (about 900m altitude), in steady ascent reaches the altitude of 1400m about where we can see Ulukişla, which is reached with a slight downhill.

Partial km: 38; progressive Km: 760

24. Ulukişla - Çiftehan

Always follow the D750-E90; overcome Bayağil (km 4) and Hasangazi (km 12) and reach Koskonu (km 17). Continue to Çiftehan.

Partial km: 27; progressive Km: 787

25. Çiftehan-Tekir

Also on the D750-E90 Pozantı reach (km 18). Here it becomes the E90 motorway and the D750 is off to the right and begins to rise, from an altitude of about 650m with a slight slope and continues to climb up to 1200m Tekir.

Partial km: 30; progressive Km: 817

26. Tekir - Dortler

Continue along the E90-D750, get to the pass Kandilsirti Gecidi (km 8), at an altitude of 1375m, and get off at Gülek (km 14). Continue to Çamalan (km 24), pass Damlama (km 30) and reach Dortler.

Partial km: 40; progressive Km: 857

27. Dortler - Tarsus

Along the E90-D750 exceed Taşobasi junction (km 4) and reach Gürlü (a few houses on the slope of the right) to the left off a side road that goes around the hill, go straight and you reach a large quarry. Here leave the D750 (km 8) and turn right for Sağlikli (km 4); Kayadibi reach (km 5) and, along the extreme offshoot of the reservoir Baraja artificial Berdan, go straight for Dadal (km 5). Go underneath the highway straight and get in Tarsus.

Partial km: 32; progressive km: 889

28. Tarsus - Adana

Leave the town along the D400, continue along this until Yenice (km14), where you enter the city, leaving the main road bends to the right. Back on the D400, continue to the Grand Mosque in Adana.

Partial km: 40; progressive Km: 929

29. Adana - Ceyhan

From the mosque to continue along the D400, cross the River Seyhan, still in the city, and continue for a long stretch until you pass a traffic light with signs to the highway, avoid turning on the right according to the directions and go straight. Shortly after, at km 46 of the State (sign landmark), turn right under the arch of Yakapinar (km 26), through the village along the main road and waving, arrived at a large open space with entry "T" (Km 28) with the road from Geçitli, take a left. Pass the Ceyhan River and turn immediately left, keeping to the left to leave and come to the right Kizildere Çoçkapinar (km 38). Go, go underneath the highway, past a tiny village, along a straight reach Ceyhan.

Partial km: 48; progressive Km: 977

30. Ceyhan - Aşağiburnaz

Leave the town along the Inönü Blv Sarimazi and head, which allows the traffic light to cross a major road and continue straight. Pass the small town of Çiftlikler (km 8), to overcome the junction for Aydinlar (km 10) bending sharply to the right. At the junction Sagirlar (km 12) and continue straight, going up a little in elevation, reaches Sarimazi (km 18); in the country so far off the road and take left and followed for Turunçlu (ask well), the road becomes gravel, salt still slightly up to reach an altitude of 200m and, with a nice downhill, over the highway (sight Mediterranean) and leads to Turunçlu (km 24). Continue until you get onto the road 31-76 (km 27), turn left and, at the sign for Aşağiburnaz (km 29), turn right and get the second indication in the village.

Partial km: 31; progressive Km: 1008

31. Aşağiburnaz-Payaso

Continue onto the D817 (KM5), turn right, pass Yeniyurt (km 8), Yeşilköy (km 12) and reach Dörtyol (km 16). Continue along the D817 and reach Payaso.

Partial km: 28; km progressive: 1036

32. Payaso - Iskenderun

On the D817, in close succession exceed Karayilan, Azganlik, and Sariseki Denizciler (km 12), go straight and come to Iskenderun.

Partial Km: 22, Km progressive: 1058

33. Iskenderun - Mirisan Otel

Leave the town along the E91-D817, Inönü reach (km 5) and begin the long climb up from the sea port of Belen (km 19) at an altitude of 700m, passing a series of towns making up the town (Belediye) Belen . Kici down is reached (km 23), here come leave D817 and take the small road down which is marked off to the right (ask) and that, after rejoining less than 1km to the D817, it cuts the distance of approximately 2km. Continue along the main road and reach the junction with the D825 (km 31), turn right and continue for 4km and reach the Mirisan Otel, shortly before the town of Maraşboğazi.

Partial km: 33; progressive Km: 1091

34. Mirisan Otel - Antakia

Continue along the D825, passing Maraşboğazi (km 2), Ovakent (km 8) Serinyol and reach (km 12), continue without variation and arrive in downtown Antakia (Museum). Here you turn left and cross the river Orontes, and in the old neighborhood, go to Katolik Kilisesi, next to a small mosque and the synagogue, where the pilgrims there to welcome the Capuchin Father Dominic.From here, along the old road, in 3-4km you reach the church of San Pietro, the end of the stretch of our journey to Jerusalem

Partial km: 31; progressive: 1122

Maps

1. Available in Turkey

2. Mapstor.com offers topographic maps issued by military agencies in Russia and East European countries. The maps can be downloaded for free one at a time. For ease of use, these maps can also be purchased as full map sets for a nominal fee.