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Waterfall, cave and ancient settlements
in Karacasöğüt

Eleven kilometres along the Marmaris-Muğla road there is the turn for Karacasöğüt, with the road passing through the pine forest, bringing you to the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Gökova.

The ports of Karaca and Söğüt are important stopping points for the boats on the Blue Cruise. There are still traces of the big fire of some years back which swept a large area to destruction.

In order to get to the Söğüt Şelalesi (Waterfall) and to the Karacain Mağarası (Cave) you take the turn to the right two or three kilometres after you come to Okluk Cove from Karacasöğüt. Since there are no signposts on the road ask villagers for directions. The waterfall cascades down from a height of 25 metres and beneath it there is a natural pool.

The cave has two sections, one known as the Somalıkaya Düdeni (chasm), and the other being the Suçıktı Cave. One of the main entrance points to the Somalıkaya Chasm is from here. To enter into the cave you need to have an inflated boat with you as you can only go through the galleries by water. These sections of the cave has a length of 421 metres and a depth of 15.5 metres. An area of 342 metres in the cave is accessible and has two lakes in it. Amateur travellers should have a guide with them if there are to visit the cave. They should not go more than ten metres from the guide at all times.

The Suçıktı Cave is one kilometre to the west of the Samlıkaya Chasm and is one kilometre long. Part of this cave has been mapped out by cave explorers, though the rest is uncharted. The area of the cave and waterfall has been put under a nature protection order. Work is continuing to open up the cave to tourism.

Two kilometres to the south east of the village of Söğüt, on the top of the Altınsivrisi Hill, there is the ancient city of Euthena. Those who dare make the climb up to the ancient city, which is 700 metres above sea level, should first go to the village of Karaca in the Ovacık district, and take the narrow and steep path up. Those who are not familiar with the area should ask the villagers for directions as to the right path. As you get closer to the hilltop you will see the city necropolis and, going a bit higher, you get to see the ruins of the ancient city walls, cisterns and rock tombs. On the hilltops, apart from the remains of an ancient temple, you will also the cottage of the forest watch official. If you are lucky you might get a tea for your tiresome climb here. It is believed that Euthena was an ancient city that was associated with Rhodes in antiquity.

There is another ancient city near to the village of Söğüt, this being Amnistos, which is on the point nearby. The ruins that survive are parts of the city walls and the walls of the port.