Nif Dağı

About Nif Dağı

Nif Dağı is the forested mountain that rises east of İzmir between Bornova, Buca and Kemalpaşa, and one of the main hiking areas within reach of the city. OpenStreetMap marks its summit peak at 1467 metres in the Kemalpaşa district. Visit İzmir, the official city tourism guide, names Nif Dağı among the main places in the province for green forest walks, and the 500 km Efeler Yolu long-distance trail crosses the mountain on its first stages from Bornova. Official routes The provincial culture and tourism directorate publishes several walking routes on the mountain: - Kemalpaşa, from the Taş Duvar area to Nif Karlığı Tepe and the summit: 8 km on village tracks and footpaths, hard with a steep final climb, about 3 to 4 hours, recommended October to April. - Buca, Kaynaklar to Nifkarlığı: 10 km, hard, about 5 to 6 hours. - Bornova, Gökdere to Nifaltı and on to Kaynaklar in Buca: 12 km, medium, about 6 to 7 hours; Gökdere to Nifaltı and Kavaklıdere: 16.4 km, hard; and Kavaklıdere to Nifaltı: 10.6 km, medium. - Kemalpaşa, Nazarköy through Kurudere Kanyonu to Dede Dağı, the Nif trout farm and Kemalpaşa: 15 km, medium to hard. Practical notes Most routes are rated hard and climb steeply, so start early, carry plenty of water and check the weather. Several clubs listed by Visit İzmir, including the Turkish Mountaineering Federation İzmir office and local mountaineering clubs, can advise on conditions or organise group walks. Kaynaklar village in Buca, with its climbing crag and Gürlek waterfall, is a convenient starting point.