Do you like brown signs? Since you've read my blog, you probably love it and that's why you're here. I'm one of those people who can't stand the brown sign and change their way. While driving from Istanbul to the Aizanoi Ancient City of Kütahya, I saw the “Oylat Cave 17 km” sign around İnegöl, and I swerved there. I had never heard of or heard of it before. The cave I reached by following the signs turned out to be a 3 million-year-old formation. Where is Oylat Cave, how to get there, what is the entrance fee, what are the features You will find such information in this article. I learned most of this information when I went to the cave.
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Oylat Cave, Inegol
Located within the borders of Hilmiye Village in Bursa's İnegöl district, the cave is located on the slope of the canyon opened by Oylat Stream. The rock mass you see in the photo below is 120 meters high. When you reach the highest point of the cave, you have climbed up to the 96th meter. So the cave rises inside this rock mass.
Oylat Cave, with a depth of 665 meters, is considered among the longest caves in Turkey. You have to walk a short distance after the car park to enter the cave, which is located in a lush valley. The main entrance of the cave is quite magnificent, you definitely feel that you have entered a deep cavity.
There is a serious problem in the lighting of the cave, which is operated by a private enterprise. The cave is illuminated with ugly led strips starting from the staircase at the entrance. There are sections where there is no lighting because the leds are broken or broken in places. It is very sad that such places are left to private enterprises and that they do not pass inspection or control. Such a precious nature asset deserves much better.
In the cave, which dates back to 3 million years, stalactites and stalagmites continue along the walking path. As you move through the cave, which consists of two floors, magnificent examples of how the water shapes the rock accompany you.
Oylat Cave consists of two interconnected floors. While you can see the stalactites and stalagmites and small ponds around narrow walking corridors, the width of which does not exceed 2-3 meters and the height of which does not exceed 15 meters on the first floor, you should be prepared for a huge gallery and a steep stair climb on the second floor. The distance between the starting point and the ending point of the second section, which consists of a large depression hall, is 93 meters.
As you pass from the first part of the cave to the second part, you will encounter a fork in the road. While the right side will direct you to the second section, the left side will lead to a small gallery. I highly recommend you to see this small gallery as well.
It should not go without saying that the bats will accompany you during the cave walk. Especially towards the end of the first floor, one shudders a little when you hear the sound of bats in a very dark spot. However, bats don't attack people out of the blue, so if you continue on your way without disturbing them, without shining a light on where they are, you shouldn't have a problem.
It is said that the cave, which has a constant temperature in summer and winter, is good for respiratory diseases such as asthma, shortness of breath and bronchitis, as in many caves.
If you ask if you will be cold in the cave, you will not be cold as there is a long walking track and stairs with ups and downs, especially steep climbs. However, since it is wet or muddy in places, I recommend you to visit the cave with non-slip, comfortable shoes.
There was also a cafe at the entrance of the cave, but it was not open because I went during the corona period. Better to take water with you just in case.
Where is Oylat Cave, How to Go?
Oylat Cave is located approximately 1 kilometer from Hilmiye Village in İnegöl district of Bursa. To reach the cave, which is 23 kilometers from the center of İnegöl, you will see the fork in the 16th kilometer on the İnegöl-Domaniç road. After the fork in the road, continue for 6 kilometers and you will reach the cave. To reach the location of Oylat Cave on Google maps Click.
As you can go to Oylat Cave with your own vehicle, there are also shuttles departing from İnegöl. However, I could not find detailed information about these services.
There is a parking lot at the entrance of the cave and it is free. After exiting the parking lot, you reach the entrance of the cave by walking about 50 meters. Meanwhile, you cross a bridge on the Oylat Stream and witness wonderful views.
Oylat Cave Entrance Fee 2020
Oylat Cave is operated by a private company. The entrance fee is 7,5 TL.
If you come to Oylat, its thermal springs and waterfalls are also worth seeing. I left these behind to stop by on another trip and continued on my way to Kütahya. You can adjust your time accordingly and see these places.
Stay on track!