Day-8 | Valley of dreams, Bezirgan

Kalkan to Sarıbelen | 18.1km

To avoid the heat I got up at 5.45am to pack and prepare for a 6.30am start to hike 
the two kilometres to the start of an 800m climb up and out of Kalkan and to the valley village of Bezirgan.

Early morning view from Kalkan

The climb was broken up into two parts, separated by a plateau of pasture and the toughness was increased by the rubble strewn scree surface.

Up, up and away

Part way up and looking back

At the summit, the climb opened up onto a flat trail into peaceful and beautiful Bezirgan. Aftre passing a large clearing of old historical grain storage huts (ambars) I stopped for some tea at the village çaycı and picked up some supplies from the small village store. The cool valley wind soothed the midday sun and perfectly complemented the beauty of the village and I floated across the valley floor. Then it was a short climb out of the other side of the valley and down a few kilometres of main road onto the less interesting village of Sarıbelen.

Beautiful, peaceful Bezirgan

The villagers we met were the nicest and kindest people I have ever come across. They came over to chat, their children showed their toys and magazines, they stopped to give advice on where to get water, a cup of tea and even where to camp, which left us pitching up for the night in a wonderful shady grassed grove next go an abandoned shepherd's hut. 

Campsite next to shepherd's hut

One shepherdess, who was particularly chatty went home and came back to give us some matches when we asked her if she had any meths stove fuel. A misunderstanding. She also offered us her daughter Fatma... she said she'd send her over to us... another misunderstanding or..? We waited until nightfall and then lit a fire, only to be surprised by a nearly blind 80 year old farmer making his way home who stopped to chat to us (and snaffle all of my walking compadre's cigarettes) for a good 45 minutes, before toddling off into the darkness with his stick.

Bivy bag out. Campsite for day eight