Natural Parks in Turkey

Afyon - Akdağ Natural Park: The environment, the affluence of the wild life, the interesting canyons, valleys and landscape values, and the recreation potentiality of Akdağ are the main characteristics of this Natural Park.

Antalya - Kurşunlu Waterfall Natural Park: 394 hectares of that area had been proclaimed as Natural Park in 1991, owing to its healthy forest structure where the rich plant community of the area unites with interesting water and rock forms in the Kurşunlu Waterfall, creating a unique natural landscape characteristic.
The cluster pine is the dominant tree species in the area, but also trees such as; eastern plane tree, laurel, carob tree, wild olive, mastic tree, willow tree and fig tree are present in small groups. Plants like myrtle tree, Mediterranean medlar, oleander, blackberry, wild rose, spurge tree, tamarisk, spruce tree, kermes oak, thyme, wild mint, beech tree, bracken and ivy creates the bottom flora. It is possible to observe water plants like; buckhorn, water mint, bamboo (in water), water chandelier, and green water lily.

Aydın - Bafa Lake Natural Park: The Bafa Lake, which used to be a part of Aegean Sea, had turned to be a lake as result of geomorphologic development of Great Menderes Delta. Bafa Lake is one of the least spoiled watery areas at the shore, in Turkey. The maximum depth of the Bafa Lake reaches to 25 meters. The main water sources of the Bafa Lake are the water floods of Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) River and the ground waters coming from the mountains in the environment.

The plant cover around lake consists of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The Bafa Lake shelters the ecosystem characteristics of Great Menderes Delta. Because of that reason it provides a winter quarter and a place for reproduction for many bird species which are under the danger of vanishing. The main bird species in the Bafa Lake Natural Park are pelican, dwarf cormorant and sea eagle. The Park provides a winter quarter for more than 300.000 different bird species.

Balıkesir - Ayvalık Islands Natural Park: Ayvalık Islands are geomorphologic structures that are formed when the hills in the Aegean basin sank down into the sea as a result of the tectonic movements in the Pleistocene, revealing the peaks above water level. As a result, the peaks were left over the sea and the islands formed. The extension of the old mountains played an important role in the distribution of the islands. This distribution and formation style had also affected the undersea topography, and consequently rare landscape characteristics are formed under the sea.

Bolu - Abant Lake Natural Park: The Abant Lake, which is a tectonic structure, shelters a variety of plants in itself and has a great open air recreation potential. As a result of these characteristics of the lake, 1150 hectares of it have been designated as a Natural Park in the year 1988.

The main plant species in the park are; Scotch Pine, beech tree, larch tree, oak tree, poplar tree, ash tree, horn - beam tree, willow tree, juniper tree, forest rose, tamarisk, hazelnut tree, medlar tree, priest hat, azarole, holly, dog - rose, bracken, blackberry, strawberry, mint, raspberry, ivy, nettle, mare's tail, and a variety of pasture grasses and trees. The main animal species in the park are; pig, deer, roe deer, bear, fox, jackal, rabbit, some birds of prey and singing birds.

Çorum - Çatak Natural Park: The larch tree (also known as black pine) is the dominant species in the area, and there are also some Scotch pines. Living in the park are foxes, rabbits, wolves, singing birds and partridges. The best time for visiting this natural park is between May and October. An area of 387,5 hectares was granted the status of Natural Park in 1984.

Gümüshane - Artabel Lakes Natural Park: The region is covered with geographical formations that are formed as a consequence of volcanic activities that ruled through two different geological times. The entire region of the park is filled with lakes and mountains, which forms a wonderful area for trekking. Karanlik Gol (Dark Lake) is the north-east foot of Artabelinbasi Peak, five lakes known as Besgoller, on the west of Sofraninbasi Peak, and three lakes known as Karagoller are at the foot of the eastern peak of Gavurdagi Mountain. The summers are hot and dry, and the winters cold and rainy.

The main trees in the forests are Scotch pine and fir, and there are many animals and birds in the area. The area around the lakes has very rich geologic and morphologic characteristics, especially with its rich collection of flora and fauna. An area of 5.859 hectares was granted status of Natural Park in 1998, mainly to preserve the 18 glacier crater lakes.

Isparta - Yazılı Canyon Natural Park: The area is well known for its lakes and the picturesque views, together with a rich variety of flora and fauna. 600 hectares of this region is designated as a Natural Park in 1989.

The main plant species are larch, alder, hairy oak, plane, juniper, walnut, locust, olive, oak, bay, oleander, myrtle, blackthorn, broom, wild rose, ivy and bracken. Pig, wild goat, fox, badger, sable, rabbit, squirrel, eagle, red vulture, falcon, pigeon, stock dove, and partridge also inhabit the park. The best time to visit is between April and October.

Isparta - Gölcük Natural Park: The landscape is known for its volcanic cones, as well as its flora and fauna. In 1994, the borders were reduced to 4720 hectares, but following objections by the public, the full area of 6684 hectares was reinstated as a natural park. The main tree species are black pine, cluster pine, acacia, oak, cedar, spruce and white oak. Badger, fox, rabbit, falcon, partridge, pigeon, quail, carp, snake and frog are the primary animals among the fauna inhabiting the area. The best time to visit is between April and October.

İstanbul - Polonezköy Natural Park: Polonezköy is 25 km away from the centre of Istanbul and not easy to reach by public transport. Translated as “village of the Poles”, it was established in 1848 by the exiled Prince Czartorisky, a Polish leader, who formed a community of Balkans on land sold to him by a local monastery. The Poles have since left the village, but there are sill a few remaining Central European style wooden houses with pretty balconies. Polonezkoy is within a vast green expanse, which was designated Istanbul’s first national park, and many people come to walk though forests with streams and wooden bridges. Its main species of trees include hornbeam, elm, alder, chestnut and lime. Species of wildlife in the park are mainly birds, especially storks and birds of prey that migrate here in the autumn.

Istanbul - Türkmenbasi Natural Park: There are many similarities between Turkmenbasi Park and the nearby Belgrade Forest, both of which are good spots for relaxation and recreation away from city life. It is especially popular for walking and picnicking and its cool shady areas are busy during weekends. The road leading to the park is filled with food sellers. The main species of trees are shore pine, black pine and oak. Animals inhabiting the area include jackals, wild boar, reptiles and a variety of birds. The winters can be very cold and cloudy and the area is often covered with snow, whereas summers are hot and dry with threats of droughts. It was granted the status of Natural Park in order to preserve the ecological balance, and to try and control urban development.

Kocaeli - Beskayalar Natural Park: The area of Beskaralar has a great scientific and educational importance because of the species of plants in the valleys. The 2500 hectares of forest surrounding the Sicakdere and Kirazdere rivers provide great trekking routes, and has many features to offer for a good sightseeing. The name Beskaralar, meaning Five Rocks, comes from the high rocks at the point where the rivers join.

In the area, the vast selection of plant species includes black pine, badger tree, fir, beech, oak, hornbeam, silver birch, elm, lime, chestnut, ash, poplar, hellebore, plane, hazelnut, alder, cherry, black fruit, elder, forest rose, wild apple, wild plum, wild cherry, forest ivy, smilax, blackberry, belladonna, spurge olive, arnica, great mullein, mint, yarrow, violet, fibre herb, nettle, gallium and wild strawberry. Wolves, bears, jackals, foxes, pigs, rabbits and squirrels inhabit the area.

Because of its location, being situated between Istanbul, Ankara and Kocaeli, it is easily accessible and is a popular weekend getaway out of the city.

Kocaeli - Balikayalar Natural Park: The Ballikayalar Valley is a narrow and deep pass, between 40m and 1.5 km, and there are many small waterfalls, lakes and deep cracks in the hill slopes. The bird population consists of sparrow hawk, white crow, Egyptian vulture, dove, hoopoe, skylark, and nightingale, and animals inhabiting the area include jackal, fox, pig, and mole.

Konya - Kocakoru Forest Natural Park: The town of Taraşçı and its environs have the characteristics of a steppe forest, which lies towards the foot of the Taurus Mountains. The low humidity and rainfall in the region indicate that the ecosystem of the forest is fragile. Many forests around here are under threat from industrial use, which highlights the importance of the conservation attempts of this park to protect the region’s ecosystem. The variety of trees, which includes Anatolian black pine and Taurus fir, is important to the entire area.

Muğla - Ölüdeniz Natural Park: An area of 950 hectares was designated as a Natural Park in 1983 owing to the beauty of the coastline, which is also renowned for its water-sports, the rare geological qualities and untouched flora and fauna. Cluster pine is the most common tree in the area, and small areas of myrtle, locust and maquis are also frequent. The best time to visit the park is between April and December.

Trabzon - Uzungöl Natural Park: The 1625 hectares of the park were designated as a Nature Park in 1989 because of the rich plant life, wildlife and sightseeing potential. The dominant tree species is Eastern spruce, and there are also badger, bearded, alder, horn-beam, hazelnut, oak, mountain elm and silver birch trees. Species of animals include mountain goat, roe deer, bear, wolf, wild boar, marten, badger, lynx, jackal, fox, rabbit, squirrel, wild ducks, birds of prey, trout and various kinds of reptiles.

The most important river in the area is the Demirkapi, and the Uzungol Lake was formed as a result of the rocks closing the mouth of the river. 10km south of the lake is the Norizca Mountain, with an altitude of 300m. The best time to visit the park is between April and October.