Babadağ

Babadağ rises 1,969 metres directly above the Aegean coast of Muğla Province, overlooking the famous Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz. It is considered one of the premier paragliding launch sites in the world: pilots take off from the summit plateau and ride thermals for up to 45 minutes before landing on the beach below, covering a vertical drop of nearly two kilometres. The ancient Lycian Way, a 540-kilometre long-distance trail tracing Turkey's southwestern coast, passes west of the summit, making the mountain accessible on foot as well. Jeep transfers run year-round up a winding mountain road to the launch plateau, where dozens of tandem flights depart daily. The view from the top — jade and turquoise water enclosed by pine-covered headlands — is among the most photographed coastal panoramas in the eastern Mediterranean.