Yanartaş (Chimaera)
A rocky hillside where methane flames have been burning for millennia, linked to the fire-breathing Chimera. Go at night.
You walk up a forest path in the dusk, torch in hand, until you see flickering lights among the rocks. That’s Yanartaş – the eternal flames of ancient Lycia. Natural gas seeps from the mountain and stays alight, day and night, rain or shine. It’s not a big dramatic inferno, but a cluster of small fires that give the hillside an uncanny glow after sunset. Some say this is the very spot that inspired the myth of the Chimera, the fire-breathing monster slain by Bellerophon. No monster here now, just the quiet crackle of burning methane and a view that connects you to centuries of travellers who came to witness the same impossible fire. The walk up takes about 20–30 minutes over uneven ground. Bring sturdy shoes and a proper flashlight; phone torches are a bit dim. The site is at its most atmospheric when the last light fades from the sky – you can watch the flames sharpen against the dark.
“Eternal flames from natural gas vents, tied to the myth of the fire-breathing Chimera.”
Aim to arrive 30 minutes before sunset. That way you'll see the flames emerge as darkness falls, and you won't have to hike down in pitch black.
The narrow, rocky footpath is steep and has no step-free access; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Good to know
- Is Yanartaş (Chimaera) free to visit?
- TL 50. Night visit is traditional; bring a torch for the forest path.
- How long should you spend at Yanartaş (Chimaera)?
- ~1h
- When is the best time to visit Yanartaş (Chimaera)?
- Sunset
- Is Yanartaş (Chimaera) wheelchair accessible?
- The narrow, rocky footpath is steep and has no step-free access; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
