In Türkiye, home to multiple civilisations for hundreds of years, you’ll encounter historical structures belonging to different cultures in almost every region. Structures that imitate nature or integrated with nature in ancient times were established close to water, which is a basic human need. These older settlements and regions offering the exquisite gifts of nature are now under official protection, as they have been granted the status of national parks. National parks are open to both local and foreign tourists and will bless you with memorable experiences.
BLACK SEA REGION
The Black Sea Region, which offers different natural beauty in every season, is also very rich in national parks;
Hatila Valley National Park: The national park, 10 kilometres from Artvin city centre, is located on a valley with a high slope. You will encounter various rock structures and plant species throughout the valley. The relatively less inclined areas designated for camping are also very convenient for daily visits.
Kaçkar Mountains National Park: Located within the borders of Rize, Artvin and Erzurum, Kaçkar Mountains National Park is between Hemşin and Fırtına Creeks. The region has suitable conditions for many activities such as nature photography, sport fishing, nature camping, mountain biking. You can reach it by traveling a distance of 75 kilometres from the Black Sea coastal road. Remember to conserve the battery of the video recorder along the way or you might miss the best parts of your destination!
Karagöl-Sahara National Park: The national park located in the district of Şavşat in Artvin also hosts the Sahara Pancarcı Festivals on the wide plains located by the Laşet Stream. The national park welcomes crowded groups of visitors during the festival.
Altındere Valley National Park: The valley where Sümela Monastery, the subject of many folkloric stories, is located, is found in the south of Trabzon. The monastery, erected in 1349, has been preserved in splendour for centuries and amalgamates beautifully with the surrounding nature. Sümela Monastery, which rises above the clouds, offers an unforgettable viewing pleasure.
Yedigöller National Park: In the west of the Black Sea region, within the borders of Bolu province, Yedigöller National Park, formed by landslides, always keeps the interest of local and foreign tourists fresh with its vibrant diversity and nature. Transportation is very easy, with short trip opportunities from Ankara and İstanbul. Yedigöller, the primary choice of camping enthusiasts, allows you to purge the fatigue of the whole year with its natural blessings, especially in the spring months.
Boğazköy-Alacahöyük National Park is located on the border of Boğazkale in Çorum province, home to Hattuşaş, the capital of the Hittite Empire. In addition, Hattuşaş, which hosted Byzantine, Roman, Phrygian, Hittite and Assyrian civilisations, is of great importance in terms of human history. Yazılıkaya Temple, one of the most interesting structures you can see in the region, is known as the most important and largest open-air Temple of Hattuşaş.
Küre Mountains National Park is located within the borders of Kastamonu and Bartın provinces in the Western Black Sea Region. The Küre Mountains, declared a national park in 2000, are considered “Türkiye’s Gift to the World”. The national park took its place among the significant hiking areas in Türkiye in 2012 when it received the PAN Parks certificate. Due to its proximity to big cities and borders with many of them from the Black Sea and Marmara Regions, it is a suitable destination for your daily travel plan.
CENTRAL ANATOLIA REGION
İstiklal Yolu (Independence Road) Historical National Park: The İnebolu-Kastamonu-Ankara line, which was the most vital route of what is called the “National Struggle” during First World War, known locally as the War of Independence, was granted protection as the 44th national park of Türkiye. İstiklal Yolu, partly located within the borders of Kastamonu province, has been known as the “Independence Road and Atatürk Walk” since 2006. It is also the third longest trekking trail in Türkiye. If you want to relive this historic victory with a nature walk, include this place in your itinerary.
Sakarya Meydan Muharebesi (Sakarya Pitched Battle) Historical National Park: On the border of Haymana and Polatlı districts, the area where the Battle of Sakarya (the turning point of the “War of Independence” within Turkiye) took place. The national park is located within a distance you can reach in a short time from the city centre of Ankara; it is a suitable place for your daily travel plan away from the city.
Soğuksu National Park: The national park, located in Kızılcahamam district of Ankara province, is 80 kilometres from Ankara city centre. Due to the fact that it is a volcanic region, the hot water and cold water sources around the park are used as hot springs and host thousands of guests seeking health tourism. Kızılcahamam hotels, where you can have a holiday in touch with nature and benefit from spa facilities, also await you.
Yozgat Çamlığı National Park: Türkiye’s very first national park, established in 1958, has been hosting many visitors since then. The park, which is about 2 kilometres from the city centre of Yozgat, offers the opportunity to spend a quiet time during your planned adventures.
Beyşehir Lake National Park: Türkiye’s largest national park is located in Konya. Located at the foot of Dedegöl Mountain and around Beyşehir Lake, Türkiye’s largest freshwater source, the park offers viewing pleasure with its camping areas and turquoise lake. The national park, about 102 kilometres from Konya city centre, is a region that you should definitely add to your spring and summer travel plan.
EASTERN ANATOLIA REGION
Mount Ararat National Park: Mount Ararat, the highest mountain in the European Continent and Türkiye, was declared a national park in 2004. The park, which is 100 kilometres from the city centre of Ağrı and 80 kilometres from the city centre of Iğdır, is exactly the place you are looking for if you are interested in mountaineering, hiking, paragliding and angling.
Sarıkamış-Allahuekber Mountains National Park: The park is located within the borders of Erzurum and Kars provinces. At the place where the Sarıkamış Operation, which is remembered by Türkiye with great sadness, occurred, you’ll find memorials to the Dikenli Tepe, Ağababa, Sarıkamış and Bardız Pass Martyrdoms. You can travel by train or car to the region, which welcomes many guests for winter sports, and stay in Sarıkamış hotels.
Malazgirt Meydan Muharebesi (The Battle of Manzikert) Historical National Park: The area where the battle of the Seljuks against Byzantium was fought gained the status of a national park in 2018. Victory celebrations are held here every year on August 23-26. Should it fit your holiday calendar, you are welcome to join the locals in these celebrations.
Munzur Valley National Park: Munzur Valley, located between Tunceli city centre and Ovacık district, was declared a national park in 1971. With its unique nature, various living species, and the Munzur Mountains which reach a height of 3000 meters, you can camp in the most popular national park of the East and explore the springs along the valley.
