km Cycling in Turkey – Van to Diyarbakir (385 km)

0 Van Town centre (1700m) – Go down Kazim Karabekir Caddesi (off Cumhuriyet Caddesi (the
main road through the town) until you reach a large junction. Aim at the Rock of Van.
3 Junction – Turn Left on to main road – this is the road around the South shore of the lake and
stays close to shore line (1655 m) for the next 55km
17/25 Camping advertised
33 Road joins main road from Iran (Gurpinar)
40 Camping advertised
48 Free camping on terraces above restaurant opposite Akdamar Kilisesi ferry quay
50 Camping advertised (1655 m)
58 Road leaves lake and starts climbing gently up valley to left
68 Village / Shops (1800 m)
77 Top of climb (2230m)
116 Back by lake after a few small ups and downs (1655m)
122 Road starts climbing again for next 6km up to 1860m
141 Back to lake (1660m)
145 Tatvan (1650m) – Kadoil Petrol station on right, camping behind OR Kings Hotel is the next
small track on right to bright blue building (no sign). A bit noisier but guard dogs and
restaurant / bar
150 Turn left for Bitlis (1740m)
150.5 Turn Right for Nemrut Dag volcanic crater – 13km climb from 1760m to 2500m (see profile)
160 Top (1810m)
171-173 Bitlis (1550m)– cobbled streets. From here road continues to descend down the river valley
190 Cafe / Restaurant / Shops (1240m)
206 Camping up valley to right, followed 1km later by a restaurant
227 Lowest point at turn for Siirt (750m)
237 Top (925m) – Great camping anywhere on climb
247 Water tap near army base
251-253 Kozluk town (740m) – shops etc.
257 Top of small climb (890m) Road then drops down to 750m before climbing again
265 Left turn just over small pass takes you to quiet fields with good camping opportunities
279 Roundabout with left turn for Batman (low point 680m)
283 Village / Shops. Road begins to climb
295 Top of climb (1000m)
300-304 Silvan (930m) Shops etc. after Silvan the road undulates annoyingly climbing 100m and
dropping 100m regularly for the next 80km. The climbs seem to have a cycle of about 5km. The
downhills being great, the uphills hot and tedious. Silvan has a hotel (somewhere)
324 Petrol Station (water) (860m)
332 Water fountain, followed swiftly by Petrol Station / Cafe / Bus place (770m)
355 Petrol Station (825m)
362 Village / Shop
375 (860m) dropping to (700m) over river before Diyarbakir, followed by one last climb to 830m
381 Top. At junction turn left and follow for 4km to the old city
385 Diyarbakir Old Town. You are at Dag Kapisi (Harput Kapisi) gate to the old town
© Simon Taylor 2009 http://hk-to-uk.blogspot.com