The relationship between nature sports and geomorphology in Levent Valley

This study aims to examine the relationship between the geomorphological characteristics of the Levent Valley, located within the boundaries of the Akçadağ district in Malatya province, and its potential for outdoor sports. Spanning approximately 28 km, the valley stands out for its geological accumulation ranging from the Permian to the Pliocene and its morphological structure shaped by intensive karstic processes. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted for the study; in addition to a literature review, extensive field observations, GPS data, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses were utilized. As a resulde of the research, it was determined that the canyon structure, steep slopes, and cave formations in the valley offer high potential for adventure sports such as trekking, mountain cross, slacklining, rock climbing, mountain biking, off-road driving, and paragliding. Through field studies, seven different hiking routes, climbing sectors, and cycling tracks were documented with their technical parameters (slope, distance, difficulty level). The findings reveal that the geomorphological heritage of the Levent Valley is a strategic resource for regional development within the framework of sustainable tourism and geopark projects.