Roadbook Y Beach Pinarcik Koyu

Y Beach Pinarcik Koyu

Y beach was the northernmost Allied landing place in the Helles sector. The operation, which was to be carried out by 2000 troops, was seen as a sideshow to divert attention from the main landing beaches further south. On 25th April, the 1st King's own Scottish Borderers, the 2nd South Wales Borderers and the Pymouth Battalion of the RND, landed here without meeting with any Turkish opposition. After climbing the cliffs using Y Ravine, they stayed inactive for the better part of the day.Late in the evening, the Turks attacked and a battle developed, which was to last all night. The following morning, confusion among the Allied forces about who was in command and a number of misunderstandings, led to an unforeseen withdrawal. While the British soldiers were being picked up by the navy, the Turkish forces, who had lost half of their strength, also fell back and left the place deserted.Y Beach was only recaptured by the Allied forces after the battle of Gully Ravine during the first week of July, and remained in their possession till the end of the campaign. Y Beach and Y Ravine were used as an advanced post to bring supplies to the front line and to evacuate the wounded.

Access : Y Beach is not accessible by road. To reach it, there are three possibilities, but none of these is easy. 1. To Y Beach by the coastline : Start from the entrance to Gully Ravine and follow the beach in a northern direction for about 2.5 km. The Beach is strewn with rocks, but with the right amount of caution and some boulder hopping, the walk is not too tough. Y beach is easily recognised because Y Ravine is the first substantial break in the cliffs. The sandy beach itself is pretty narrow and only some 100 m wide. The Ravine is completely overgrown with prickly bush and trees among the boulders at its bottom. 2. To Y Beach by Gully Ravine : Start from Gully Beach and follow the ravine for some 3.5 km until you reach the concrete barricade that once formed the British frontline. From there on, the left side of the Ravine gradually becomes less steep and can be climbed. Once on top, you will find yourself at the edge of a cultivated field. Cross the field in the direction of the sea, where the cliffs are overgrown with trees. Follow the trees to the left until you arrive at the head of Y Ravine, near the corner of the field. There are actually two ravines : Y Ravine is the left one that runs deeper inland. You can follow part of its downward course by walking on the high ground at its right hand side. 3. To Y beach from Nuri Yamut : Park under the trees near the Nuri Yamut monument and start walking south for about 1 km until you reach the cultivated fields mentioned above. You cannot get lost, as you will be walking with the cliffs to your right and the overgrown Gully ravine to your left. Carry on for another km to the entrance of the ravine. Duration : whichever route you take, expect a rough walk of at least 3 hours.
		Approaching the ravine by way of the beach


		The entrance to the ravine from the beach

Caution : Reaching Y Beach or Y Ravine always requires a long walk, whichever way you choose, and the area is completely uninhabited. Take enough water with you and be aware of the fact that a sprained ankle could be a real problem. Never go alone.

If you opt for the beach route, trying to climb Y Ravine can be done, but is extremely difficult because of the prickly vegetation and the rather steep ascent. Here and there it is also dangerous because of instable boulders. Do not forget that when you reach the top, you'll have to walk another 5 km to get back to Gully Beach if you left your car there. Think twice before you try it.

If you start your exploration from the top of the Ravine, the descent is at least as tough as the ascent. Not to mention the prospect of having to climb back up again. Do not bet on the other gully nearby for your return, as that one is even more precipitous and even more overgrown.

The completely overgrown Y Ravine


	Your best bet Ok, you've been warned now but still feel a visit to Y-Beach is just what you need. If you cannot be deterred, what follows is probably the best way to do it. Not exactly the itinerary you find in battlefield guides, but probably quite a bit less dangerous and certainly involving the minimum effort. Mind you : the trip remains (a bit) risky, it will take you 2 hours and you will be out of breath afterwards, but I'm afraid that cannot be helped. Here we go :

	- See to it a) that you have a map of the area, good shoes and a supply of water and b) that you DON'T try this alone. - Park your vehicle at the Turkish Nuri Yamut monument. Your starting point is situated at its entrance.

	- At this spot you are close to Fuseliers Bluff, situated between the monument and the sea. Start following the coastline heading south, keeping to the edge of the wilderness with the cultivated fields at your left. - Try to count the gullies you pass. Although this is not indispen- sible (as Y-Ravine is bigger than the rest), it may help : you need the 6th big gully. Try using your map. - Do not be misled by Bruce's Ravine. It is pretty big too, but if you want to make the descent here, you will get stuck halfway down. And even if you roll down the cliffs, you will not land on Y-Beach either. Y-Ravine is just behind Bruce's Ravine and bigger, running further inland.
			If you see this, turn back. Y-Ravine is behind the headland in the middle of this picture.

	- Once you have found Y-ravine, find the little path going down to the sea in front of the big gully. At some points it's steep, certainly the last part of it, but if you are a bit careful, there are no insurmountable problems. - By the way :halfway down the path you get the best possible bird's- eye view of Gully Beach on the entire peninsula. Follow the path till you reach the beach. - On the beach, have a look at the entrance to Y-ravine and marvel at the fact that nothing much has changed here since April 1915. - Then start wondering how to get back, as the way you came would be a pretty stiff climb. There is a simpler alternative though :
			This is it : Y-Beach. Careful now, it's steep.
	- Start following the coast to the north. - The beach under the cliffs is only some 2-3 m wide and strewn with small boulders, but although the walking is a bit rough, you should be fine. - Proceed for about 1 km, till you come to a small semi-cercular pier, made by some local fishermen. If you look uphill, you will see a primitive hut on the flank of the hill, where they keep their gear. Climb the path to this hut. - A path runs uphill around the hut. Although it is a bit steep and becomes rougher as you proceed, it's easy to follow. After some time, you'll discover that you are walking in an old trench : this is the old British frontline trench running to the top of Fuseliers Bluff. Among the bushes you can still find their rusty bully-beef tins. - When you reach the summit, you'll discover you are back at Nuri Yamut, at the spot where you left your vehicle.