Olimpos Teleferik is the longest cable car in Europe on Mount Tahtalı.
Mount Tahtalı
Along the entire Mediterranean coast of Turkey stretches a range of high mountains. These are the Taurus Mountains, also known as the Toros Mountains, which translates to "bull." The ancient Greeks believed that gods of storms lived in these areas, and their symbol was the bull. Thus, the region gradually came to be known as Taurus.
Among the Taurus Mountains, one peak stands out: Mount Tahtalı, or Olympus. It is one of the highest mountains in the Kemer area, with an elevation of 2365 meters. There is a beautiful legend associated with the Taurus Mountains and Mount Tahtalı.
Myths and Legends
Among the gods living above Kemer was the god Taurus, who fell in love with a mortal girl named Tahtalı. One day, while walking in the forest, the girl was bitten by a poisonous snake and died. Taurus longed to be with his beloved, but to do so, he had to enter the realm of the dead, and the gods are immortal. So, Taurus turned to Zeus and asked for permission to be with his beloved. Zeus agreed to grant his request on the condition that Taurus would create something remarkable—something that would allow him to be remembered for centuries. And Taurus raised majestic mountains. Thus, the Taurus Mountains and the peak of Tahtalı were formed.
The other name of Mount Olympus is linked to the fact that in ancient times, the Greek people referred to all high mountains in their lands as Olympus. In modern Turkey, there are seven sacred mountains called Olympus.
“From Sea to Sky”
For a long time, only hiking routes led to Tahtalı. Mostly climbers and trekkers ascended the mountain via these trails. In 2007, a Swiss company built a cable car that rises to the very summit, where a viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramas of the mountains and the coast.
Olimpos Teleferik is the longest cable car in Europe. The ascent to the summit takes about 15 minutes. Its romantic name, “Sea to Sky,” indicates that the cabin lifts visitors almost from the shore to the cloud-topped peak. Indeed, during the ascent, the climate changes from hot to cool and often windy.
Up to an altitude of 1900 meters, the mountain is covered with dense vegetation, home to many wild animals. Beyond that, the terrain becomes rocky and is covered with snow from January to April.