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Walking to the peak of Asar Mountain

Those who have faith in their fitness should try walking from Muğla centre to the peak of Asar Mountain. The walking tour beginning from the upper part of the Saburhane district and leading up to the peak takes about an hour. Asar Mountain is also known as Masadağ (Table Mountain), understandably,this name was given by locals since the top is as flat as a table. The reward of the hike is a stunning view and numerous ancient ruins scattered around the peak. The remains are possibly from Mabolla Castle, which is mentioned in Hittites writings. You can also see the remains of structures such as houses on the flat area to the east of the castle. In the area beneath this level, there are open sacred sites that reveal evidence of the Anatolian Hittites of the 2nd millennium BC, the Phrygians from the 1st millennium and the ancient Urartians, traditions of which remained until the late Carian and Lycia times. The southern sections of Mabolla Castle, built from rectangular shaped hard stone, are well preserved. On some of the stone blocks that have slid down the slope have holes that show they were held together with wooden clamp holes, suggesting the building dated from the 5th century BC.

Near to the northern flat area in of the Masadağ there is a Middle Age palace sited on a high terrace, which had at least three storeys and was made of rubble stone held together with mortar. On the eastern and western hills near Mabolla Castle there are tombs hewn into the stone, which were sadly pillaged recently.

Either on the way to or back from Mount Asar you can take the opportunity to visit the Değirmen Stream. A one hour walk in the direction of the stream will take you to the waterfall that then forms a lake. The trip gives you the chance to see the ruins of an historic church and the natural scenic views. You can take photos of the waterfall from above by using the stone path next to the riverbed. Beware of the slippery stones on the path. In hot summer days do not forget to pack your swimming costumes. The ending prize for a tiring walk would be jumping into the cooling waters of the lake.