Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park

Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains Overview

Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park, known locally as Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Dağları Millî Parkı, is one of Turkey’s most spectacular and remote national parks, located in the southeastern corner of the country in Hakkâri Province near the borders with Iraq and Iran.

The park spans approximately 171 square miles, or about 443 square kilometers, and encompasses some of the country’s highest and most rugged peaks. Dominating the landscape are the Cilo and Sat mountain ranges, part of the greater Taurus-Zagros system.

The centerpiece is Uludoruk (Reşko), which rises to 4,135 meters, making it Turkey’s second-highest mountain after Mount Ararat. The terrain is defined by dramatic glacial valleys, jagged granite spires, highland plateaus, and pristine alpine lakes such as Sat Gölleri, formed by ancient glaciers that still linger on the highest slopes.

The vegetation in the park transitions from subalpine meadows and mountain steppe to alpine tundra, depending on elevation. Lower elevations support patches of oak and juniper, while the upper slopes burst into color in summer with wildflowers, including endemic species unique to this remote region.

Icefields and snow cover many of the higher peaks for much of the year, adding to the park’s dramatic beauty and supporting rare plant life adapted to the harsh climate.

Wildlife in Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park is as dramatic as the landscape itself. The park is a stronghold for several threatened and elusive species, such as the Persian leopard and brown bear, which roam the forests and crags. Wild goats and ibex navigate the steep rock faces, while wolves, lynx, and foxes are occasionally sighted in the more remote areas.

The avian life is equally rich, with golden eagles, lammergeiers, and various species of vultures soaring above the ridges. The rocky cliffs also provide nesting sites for choughs, snow finches, and alpine accentors, making the park a destination for birdwatchers willing to trek into higher elevations.

The park is renowned for its towering mountains and alpine lakes, but it also draws visitors for its deep valleys such as Zap Vadisi, which cut through the region with roaring rivers and green oases. The Sat Lakes Plateau is a major attraction in the summer, when melting snow fills the basins with crystal-clear water, reflecting the surrounding peaks.

In addition to the natural beauty, local Kurdish villages on the outskirts of the park add cultural richness to the visitor experience, offering insight into traditional ways of life.

Visitors experience the park primarily through hiking, trekking, and mountaineering, although much of the area remains undeveloped and wild. Expeditions to the high peaks and glaciers attract seasoned adventurers, while guided treks through the Sat Lakes region are more accessible.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in ecotourism and nature photography, but infrastructure remains minimal due to the park’s remote location.

Conservation efforts in Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park face challenges such as climate change, limited accessibility, and regional instability. However, its designation as a national park in 2020 marked a significant step toward formal protection.

Early conservation successes include the documentation of rare species and increased awareness of the area’s ecological value. Continued efforts are essential to preserve this striking and untamed part of Turkey’s natural heritage.

Park Map

Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park also offers extraordinary birdlife, particularly raptors and high-mountain species that thrive in its alpine cliffs, glacial valleys, and forested slopes.

Golden Eagle
A powerful raptor often seen soaring above the high peaks, the golden eagle hunts marmots, hares, and even young wild goats. It nests on inaccessible cliffs and ledges.

Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)
This striking vulture is known for feeding on bones, which it drops from the air to crack open. With its massive wingspan and rust-colored feathers, it is one of the park’s most iconic birds.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Seen gliding effortlessly on thermal currents, the griffon vulture scavenges carcasses and helps maintain the ecosystem’s health. It nests on cliffs in large colonies.

Peregrine Falcon
This high-speed predator nests on sheer cliffs and preys on smaller birds in flight. Its powerful stoops and sharp cries are part of the mountainous soundscape.

Chukar Partridge
Well-adapted to rocky hillsides and alpine meadows, the chukar forages for seeds and insects. It moves in groups and is often heard before it is seen.

Snowfinch
A bird of the high mountains, the snowfinch nests in rocky crevices and forages on open, grassy slopes. It is often seen near melting snowfields.

Wallcreeper
With its vivid red wings and agile movements, the wallcreeper clings to vertical rock faces in search of insects. It adds flashes of color to the grey cliffs of the park.

Alpine Accentor
This small, brownish songbird thrives in high alpine zones. It nests among rocks and feeds on insects and seeds, singing soft, melodic calls.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
Soaring above the open slopes and cliffs, this eagle specializes in hunting snakes and lizards. It is often seen hovering mid-air before striking.

Horned Lark
Common in alpine grasslands, this small bird is recognized by its “horned” feather tufts and musical song. It nests on the ground and feeds on seeds and insects.

Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park is a remote, dramatic wilderness where wildlife flourishes in extreme conditions. It offers one of Turkey’s most pristine environments for observing rare mountain species and high-altitude birds in their natural glory.

Hakkâri Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park, located in southeastern Turkey near the border with Iraq and Iran, is one of the country’s most rugged and remote protected areas. Dominated by towering peaks, alpine meadows, glaciers, and deep valleys, the park hosts a unique collection of wildlife adapted to high elevations and wild terrain.

Anatolian Lynx
This rare and elusive predator roams the remote mountain forests and alpine slopes. With its tufted ears, muscular frame, and solitary nature, the lynx preys on hares, rodents, and small ungulates.

Wild Goat (Bezoar Ibex)
Perfectly adapted to the steep cliffs and rocky ridges, the wild goat is a symbol of mountain wilderness. Males have large, spiraling horns and can be seen leaping across ledges with ease.

Grey Wolf
A top predator in the Cilo-Sat ecosystem, the grey wolf hunts in coordinated packs and preys on ibex, deer, and smaller mammals. Though secretive, their tracks and howls echo through the valleys.

Brown Bear
Found in the forested valleys and alpine slopes, the brown bear forages for berries, insects, and small animals. It hibernates in winter and is most active during spring and summer.

Caracal
This medium-sized wild cat with striking ear tufts and powerful limbs is found in the park’s scrublands and lower forested slopes. It is a stealthy predator that hunts birds and small mammals.

Red Fox
Widespread across the park’s varied elevations, the red fox is clever and opportunistic. It hunts rodents, insects, and scavenges near water sources or human settlements.

European Wildcat
A solitary and secretive feline, the wildcat inhabits forest edges and rocky slopes. It closely resembles a domestic cat but is more muscular and strictly wild in behavior.

Wild Boar
Found in lower forested and shrubby areas, wild boars root through the soil for insects, roots, and fallen fruits. They are powerful, social animals often moving in groups.

Eastern Hedgehog
Active mainly at night, the hedgehog forages for insects and invertebrates in alpine meadows and scrubby edges. It uses its spines for defense against predators.

Caucasian Viper
This venomous snake is adapted to rocky alpine habitats and is known for its distinctive zigzag pattern. It is shy and avoids humans, feeding on small rodents and lizards.