Mount Ilgaz National Park, situated in the Ilgaz Mountains along the boundary of Kastamonu and Çankırı provinces, represents an important protected region in Turkey. The park encompasses 742.38 hectares and was officially designated as a national park on June 2, 1976. Hikers, winter sports aficionados, and environment lovers will find great value in the park since it is known for its varied natural resources and offers several leisure chances. Mount Ilgaz National Park, which located in Turkey’s western Black Sea Region, is a valuable site for tourism and conservation because of its varied geological features, great abundance of ecosystems, and several leisure activities.

Situated at the junction of Central Anatolia and North Anatolia, a transitional region accentuating its own geological characteristics, the Mount Ilgaz area Different geological features come from the serpentinite, schist, and volcanic rock that define the terrain. The area boasts several remarkable examples of mountain building. One major geological feature of the park is the North Anatolian Fault, which crosses Mount Ilgaz’s southern foothills. Among Turkey’s longest and most active geological faults, this one adds to the dramatic geological past of the country.

The Gökırmak River borders the national park to the north and the Devrez Creek to the south, therefore defining the area’s hydrographic limits. Rising on the northern slopes of the Ilgaz Mountains, the Gökırmak River runs from west to east finally joining one of Turkey’s longest rivers, the Kızılırmak River. Aligned with the North Anatolian Fault, Devrez Creek helps to form the Kızılırmak River. With its highest peaks at Büyükhacettepe at 2,587 meters, Küçükhacettepe at 2,546 meters, and çeþtepe at 2,394 meters, the Ilgaz Mountain range stretches around 23 kilometers in an east-west orientation. The park’s attractiveness is improved by the panoramic views of the surroundings made possible by the tall mountains.

Mount Ilgaz National Park has a continental climate, much affected by Central Anatolian traits. The usual annual temperature of the park is 9.8°C. While July achieves the maximum average temperature of 20°C, January notes the lowest average at -0.8°C. Every year the park gets a lot of precipitation—about 485.6 mm. While the higher parts of the park might get up to 1,200 mm of precipitation, the lower areas of the park experience about 400 mm. Spring and early summer bring precipitation peaks. Particularly on higher elevations, the northern slopes of the park see more precipitation. Winters bring heavy snowfall, which accumulates on mountain slopes for up to six months, so making the area fit for winter activities.

Mount Ilgaz National Park’s rich and varied flora and fauna define its ecological features; this is a result of its position at the junction of the Black Sea area and Central Anatolia. Of the park’s total area, about 81.7% is covered in forest; variations in forest type match altitude. Lower altitude forests mostly consist of fir trees, European black pine, and Turkey oak. Hornbeam and beech forests predominate as height rises; Turkish pine and Scots pine define higher altitudes. Rare and indigenous species including dwarf shrubs, which fit the harsh circumstances of high mountain habitats, abound in the alpine zone above 2,000 meters.

Mount Ilgaz’s fauna is rather varied, thanks in great part to the park’s plenty of water and flora. The park boasts about thirty different mammal species, ranging from brown bears to lynx to deer and wild boar to gray wolves. Red fox, wildcat, European pine marten, and European otter among other bird species find home in the park. Sixteen different taxa have been recorded in the park’s environment by research, underscoring the amazing diversity found here under protection.

Mount Ilgaz National Park is a popular summer and winter destination since it offers several leisure activities for guests. In the warmer months the park is suited for hiking, camping, and caravans. There are great chances for ecological research among the different landscapes, great biodiversity, and wildlife. From mid-June to mid-September, anglers in the fishponds along Karasu Stream in Baldıran Valley can enjoy fishing; trout are year-round from nearby hatcheries.

Mount Ilgaz’s appeal is improved throughout the winter since its snow-covered slopes become the hub for winter sports events. From the 1990s, skiing has been a popular sport at the Ilgaz Ski Resort, often drawing guests from big cities including Istanbul and Ankara. Designed in 1997, the ski resort features an 800-meter ski slope reachable from a surface lift and a chairlift. For the people living in Ankara, the resort is the closest ski resort; it offers a handy winter vacation.

State road D.65 easily connects Çankırı and Kastamonu, then runs northward to the Black Sea coast. Mount Ilgaz National Park The park lies over 450 kilometers east of Istanbul and 200 kilometers northeast of Ankara. About 25 kilometers separates the closest settlement, Ilgaz, from the park. The area provides a variety of lodging options, thus well ready to welcome guests. The Ilgaz Mountain Resort has 118 suites, or 446 beds overall; the national park’s total accommodation capacity is 666 beds. Comprising social amenities, a holiday village, and a hotel, the Kastamonu side of the park offers guests a pleasant lodging choice.