Heart Attack Hill

[Rachey]

Excellent idea Jon - and I have a question about something that''''s been worrying me and my partner  .  How steep is the hill that some call "heart attack hill"?  We''''re staying at the Emir apartments.  How long will it take two not very old, but very unfit, people to walk up from the harbour and/or the restaurants? 

Is it really that steep?     I guess the answer might just have to be stopping for a refreshing Efes or two on the way back up...in which case, what would be the best route?! 

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=1254.0

[felicity]

Hi Rachey - heart attack hill is steep - no getting away from that - and I walk up it slowly...!!  However - it is NOT the only route back up through town - but it is the shortest and quickest and steepest....!!  So - the answer is simple - just avoid it by coming up from the harbour through the centre of town and past the bars and shops and take it a bit longer..!!  To get back to the Emir apartments - it is not the only way - you have a choice...!!  If you do choose to walk up heart attack hill - there is not much up there - but you can stop for an EFES at the No Name bar - half way up it - you can''''t miss it....alternatively if you make it all the way - you can stop at the Foto nun yeri (I think its called) just by the taxi rank - or the Kaya restaurant just off the 2nd roundabout on your way home.!!

Don''''t worry - you don''''t have to dread doing that hill...there is another way..(as they say.!!) LOL - have a lovely time in Kalkan!!   

[Rachey]

Thanks so much for the reassurance Felicity.  This is more than excellent news, as it means I can legitimately tell my OH that we simply have to walk past the lovely shops on our way home!  I''ve been reading on the forum all about Infinity jewellers (aka Blue Lizard;s most favourite shop  ) and I''ll just have to make sure our route takes us past Infinity! 

[Blue Lizard]

i would gladly scale the north face of Mount Eiger if it kept the mrs away from Infinity!

[holidayfever]

It is a hill and a 1/2 more so in the heat, but for us Yorkshire folk used to hills it really isnt that bad, but then we dont walk up the Yorkshire hills in 40c+. The long way round is still steep but plenty to stop and look at on the way, and on the plus side it does burn the horrid calories from all the yummy food, and drink.

[kalkan4eva]

Rachey, I swear halfway through your holiday, you''ll be power walking up the hill no problem 

Take it slowly the first time and stop as many times as you like, pointing to something non-existent in the distance as if you were stopping for a "ooh look at the view" moment. There''s no getting away from the fact Kalkan is hilly, but like Holidayfever we''re used to hills at home (we live in Wales) - just not the incredible heat 
Be prepared to be a lather of sweat when you reach the top - plays havoc with the mascara and any attempt you might have made at blowdrying your hair. We stayed up by Emir last year and I loved the fact I could eat and drink to excess and still fit into my clothes  .
The hills have their benefits, although after the first couple of days your calves will tell you otherwise 
We do, however prefer the route that takes in Ice Sultan, Infinity and Moonlight...

[itstime]

i recommend buying an ice cream down at the harbour and aiming to get to the top of the hill before finishing it also strangely find that walking half of it backwards helps as well no idea why and not to be recommended if on your own as you need someone to warn you about traffic/people/other hazards as you can''t see what''s in front of you. It is do-able though and I am an extremely unfit smoker 

[Kim]

That hill up the the Emir is a doddle compared to our epic climb home!  UP Kalamar Road past the Asfiya, Up the horrific steep bit to the Elixir, then you hit a bit of a straight bit which is deceptive as turning right and looking UP means we have a further Everest like climb til we reach our pool (this is the steep road leading to The Suneil Villas and Apartments which we then pass and climb 50 steps UP to our front door, then UP to the Roof Terrace!

By now we have worked off the aperitifs, the dinner, the wine and the drinks we now need to recover!!

The best diet in Kalkan, and so worth in when we sit on the roof terrace, look at the Magic View and sit looking up at the Myriad of stars above us, sipping a cold G n T! 

[Kalkan regular]

The easiest way from the harbour is to start to walk up cardiac arrest hill and on the right you will see a steep flight of stairs. Go up the stairs (slowly) and this will have you half way up the hill. You then can walk the rest of the way through the town with stop off''s for Efes, Angora or G & T''s. My 88 year old dad has managed it this way and finds the steps easier than the steep slope !!!!!!! Alternatively get a restaurant to book you a taxi and have the Efes, Angora or G & T on your terrace back at the Emir. You can join us for a drink on our terrace at the Emir if we are staying in our apartment when you are there (the large covered terrace by the pool).