Fethiye Kelebekler Vadisi/ Butterly Valley
Butterfly Valley (Turkish: Kelebekler Vadisi) is a valley in Fethiye district, Muğla Province, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The valley is home to diverse butterfly species.[1]
Valley
The valley is situated at the foothill of Babadağ, a 1,975-metre-high (6,480 ft) mountain nominated for preservation as world heritage. A wide-strip sand beach at a bay on the Turkish Riviera protrudes from the valley.
In the form of a narrow canyon stretching over around 3–4 km (1.9–2.5 mi), the valley's steep walls are 350–400 m (1,150–1,310 ft) high. A trail in the valley leads to two small waterfalls dropping from 60 m (200 ft) all the year around. In the middle of the valley, a creek runs, carrying water from a spring in nearby Faralya village to the sea. A road from Ölüdeniz to Uzunyurt, which is part of the Lycian Way Ultramarathon route, runs atop the rocks around the valley.[2][3][4]
Flora and fauna
The valley, rich in flora and fauna, takes its name from the large number of butterfly species found here.[5] Scientists recorded some 147 flora species belonging to 54 families and 105 butterfly species from 15 families native to the valley. The butterfly species include the Jersey tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis). Butterflies of many varieties in a wide range of colors can be observed in the valley between June and September.[4][6][7]