Hittite Trail

Trek and bike on ancient Hittite roads

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The Hittites

The Anatolian Peninsula is a cultural mosaic, a synthesis of successive civilisations that left their mark on this land and on humanity. Of these civilisations, the Hittites were a ‘superpower’ of their times. The Hittites are famous for producing the first written constitution and an advanced criminal code; for making lightweight war chariots, the awesome weapon of the era; for kings who were masters of strategy; for a pantheon with one thousand gods and goddesses; and for splendid cities. The ancient city of Hattussas is one of ten Turkish sites that form part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Hittites also left us extraordinary cuneiform tablets, now part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The Hittite Routes explore the region’s rich cultural heritage amid tranquil surroundings – a truly special experience for lovers of history, culture and nature.

Hittite Map

Hittite Map

About the Route

The focal point of the Hittite Routes is a beautiful National Park, established in 1988 over 2634 hectares of land in Boğazkale County. The National Park contains the ruins of the ancient Hittite city of Hattusa and the Alacahöyük earthen burial mound. The Hittite Trekking Routes and Bike Trails follow the historical roads connecting corners of the triangle formed by Hattusa, Alacahöyük and Şapinuva. The routes were drawn up by the Governorship of Çorum and the work was completed in October 2010. The 17 trekking routes covering 236 km. are marked along the old roads plied by the trading caravans and by successive waves of migration. Counting the alternative roads, its total length reaches 385km. Six exciting mountain-bike trails stretch over 406km.

 

More photos and information on the website of the Çoruh Governorship