Ölüdeniz Babadağ

Babadağ offers us the most beautiful views of Ölüdeniz.

The summit of Babadağ is 1,969 meters high. Its shape resembles the back of a dinosaur. It is not broad; instead, it has a narrow, elongated ridge. The foothills of Babadağ extend all the way to Ölüdeniz.

Babadağ is like a mountain made for paragliding. It holds a very important place in the world. The wind currents necessary for paragliders to take off make Babadağ ideal for jumping at any time of day.

There is also a cable car on Babadağ. A point that is sometimes confused is Denizli Babadağ, which also has a cable car. For this reason, these two mountains are sometimes confused.

Babadağ: It is located in the town of Ovacık, on the way from Fethiye to Ölüdeniz.

There are officially five takeoff areas on Babadağ. The appropriate takeoff area is selected based on an assessment of the season, wind conditions, and other weather factors, and paragliders take off from that area.

Babadağ 1200 Ski Run

The Babadağ 1,200-meter paragliding launch site is a run we primarily use during the winter or when adverse weather conditions occur. During the winter months, the upper parts of the mountain are covered in snow, so the roads are usually closed, and the cable car is not operated due to the decrease in tourist numbers; therefore, we are forced to use the 1,200-meter run. At times, however, the higher-altitude runways are unsuitable for flying due to factors such as strong winds or cloud cover, so we can use the 1,200-meter runway as an alternative.

However, the 1,200-meter paragliding launch site does not allow for takeoff when winds are from the north or east. The optimal wind direction for paragliding on the 1,200-meter runway is south and southwest.

When it comes to paragliding, taking off from Babadağ at 1,200 meters affects the flight duration by approximately 8 minutes. While an average paragliding flight lasts 25 minutes, if we take off from 1,200 meters, the flight will be slightly shorter. However, if weather conditions are favorable, it is also possible for us to extend our paragliding flight time somewhat by utilizing certain air currents.

There is a restaurant on the 1,200-meter slope at Babadağ that is open year-round; for civilians, the best way to reach the 1,200-meter slope is by cable car. The road for civilian vehicles is in very poor condition.

Babadağ 1700 Trail

The 1,700-meter Babadağ launch site is the most frequently used by paragliders. As summer approaches, the 1,700-meter launch site is the first to open. Even if other runways remain closed due to ice and snow, the 1,700-meter runway typically opens as the weather begins to warm up.

When considered as a takeoff wind, winds blowing from the south allow for paraglider takeoffs from the Babadağ 1,700-meter runway.

A paraglider taking off from Babadağ at an altitude of 1,700 meters typically stays in the air for about 25 minutes, though this duration can be extended by utilizing thermal currents and other air currents.

Even if you haven’t taken off for a paragliding flight yet, you can still enjoy the view of Ölüdeniz from Babadağ at 1,700 meters. You can also enjoy beautiful views of Fethiye from the bridge behind the cable car station at 1,700 meters.

There is also a restaurant at 1,700 meters on Babadağ. This restaurant is open only during the summer months. You can reach the 1,700-meter elevation by cable car or car, though the mountain road is a bit challenging.

In addition to the restaurant and cable car, Babadağ features many other facilities, including restrooms, a lake, an observation deck, and a scenic bridge. You can reach the 1,800-meter-high slope from the 1,700-meter level by car or chairlift.

Babadağ 1800 Trail

The 1,800-meter launch site at Babadağ is used during the summer months. Since the wind can change direction very frequently, the 1,800-meter site can often be misleading, and it is common to see paragliders come here only to move on to other launch sites without being able to fly.

The 1,800-meter runway is suitable for paraglider takeoffs in northerly winds.

A paragliding flight taking off from Babadağı at an altitude of 1,800 meters typically lasts about 25 minutes, though this duration can be extended if conditions permit.

At this paragliding launch site, there are restrooms and a burger café. The 1,800-meter runway is accessible via a chairlift. Paragliding pilots, however, typically drive up. The 1,800-meter access road is closed to the public. Vehicles must be parked along the roadside at the 1,700-meter mark.

Babadağ 1900 Trail

The Babadağ 1,900-meter slope is the second most popular spot among paragliders. However, paragliders tend to avoid coming here during the summer months, especially around noon, because the wind changes direction frequently and dust devils form.

The 1,900-meter runway is also known as the Patara runway. This is because it offers a direct view of Patara Beach. Paragliders generally prefer the 1,900-meter runway when southeasterly and easterly winds are blowing.

The 1,900-meter-long track is accessible only by car, and there are no facilities such as restrooms on-site.

Babadağ 1969 Runway

At an elevation of 1,969 meters on Babadağ, there is actually a fire lookout tower. During the summer months, if a fire breaks out, the staff at the tower alert helicopters, and the fire is quickly extinguished while it is still in its early stages.

The 1,969-meter launch site is also known as the North Launch Site. When winds blow from the north, paragliders use the Babadağ 1,969-meter launch site.

The wind at the base of the mountain can sometimes be deceptive, so when paragliding instructors are unsure, they usually head to the summit to confirm the wind conditions. The mountain’s summit usually indicates the prevailing wind direction, and once we’re certain of the wind’s direction, we can select the correct launch site for a safer and easier paragliding takeoff.

When taking off from Babadağ at an altitude of 1,969 meters, a paragliding flight lasts an average of 30 minutes. The duration may be longer if weather conditions permit.

There are restroom facilities at the Summit slope; access to the North slope is by vehicle only. The road is closed to civilian traffic; only paragliding vehicles are permitted to use it.