Küre Mountains National Park

Küre Mountains Overview

Küre Mountains National Park, known locally as Küre Dağları Millî Parkı, is a biodiverse and rugged protected area located in the northern part of Turkey, spanning the provinces of Kastamonu and Bartın along the Black Sea coast.

The park covers approximately 145 square miles, or about 375 square kilometers, and forms part of the larger Küre Mountain Range, which stretches parallel to the coast. The terrain is defined by steep, forested mountains, deep canyons, karstic formations, and numerous caves. Altitudes range from sea level to over 2,000 meters, resulting in a varied landscape that transitions from coastal ecosystems to highland forests.

Dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and river valleys—such as those carved by the Devrekani and Valla streams—add to the park’s wild and scenic beauty. One of the park’s most striking features is the Valla Canyon, one of the deepest in Turkey, known for its sheer walls and untamed natural setting.

The vegetation of Küre Mountains National Park is representative of the Euro-Siberian floristic region and includes some of the most pristine deciduous and mixed forests in Turkey. The forest cover is dense and diverse, dominated by Oriental beech, fir, hornbeam, and various oak species.

In higher elevations, coniferous trees such as Scots pine and black pine are prevalent. The understory is rich with mosses, ferns, and flowering shrubs, while karst plateaus support endemic plant species. The forest structure, ranging from lowland rainforests to alpine glades, provides critical habitat for a broad spectrum of flora and fauna, making the park a key biodiversity hotspot.

Wildlife in the park thrives due to its relatively untouched ecosystems and variety of habitats. Large mammals such as brown bears, gray wolves, wild boars, and roe deer are frequently recorded. The elusive lynx also inhabits the deeper forest areas.

The park’s canyons and river corridors support otters and foxes, while the skies above host raptors such as golden eagles, buzzards, and various owl species. Songbirds, woodpeckers, and warblers are commonly heard throughout the park’s forested areas. The rich biodiversity extends to reptiles, amphibians, and numerous invertebrates, including endemic beetles and butterflies that are important indicators of ecological health.

Popular features of Küre Mountains National Park include its vast hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and geological wonders. Valla Canyon and Ilgarini Cave, one of the longest caves in the country, attract adventurers and spelunkers alike.

The Horma Canyon is another highlight, featuring wooden boardwalks that wind through a narrow gorge surrounded by lush vegetation and waterfalls. Visitors also enjoy the park’s tranquil rivers and the opportunity to explore remote villages that retain traditional Black Sea architecture and culture.

Visitors engage with the park through hiking, canyon trekking, caving, wildlife watching, and photography. Designated eco-routes connect trails, canyons, and local settlements, allowing for immersive exploration of both natural and cultural landscapes. Interpretation centers, observation decks, and ranger stations support educational and sustainable tourism experiences.

Conservation efforts in Küre Mountains National Park have been internationally recognized, especially through its inclusion in the PAN Parks Network as a model for wilderness conservation in Europe.

While challenges such as illegal logging, habitat fragmentation, and infrastructure development persist, collaborative management between government agencies and local communities has helped safeguard the park’s ecological integrity. Continued focus on low-impact tourism and biodiversity monitoring remains central to its long-term protection.

Park Map

Küre Mountains National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Küre Mountains National Park is also a haven for birdlife, particularly forest-dwelling species and cliff-nesting raptors that thrive in the park’s gorges, ancient woodlands, and moist valleys.

Golden Eagle
Often seen gliding above the deep canyons, the golden eagle hunts for small mammals and birds. It nests on high rock ledges and dominates the upper food chain.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl
This powerful nocturnal hunter roosts in forest caves or cliffs. It preys on rodents, rabbits, and birds, and its deep, resonant calls are heard echoing through the night.

Black Woodpecker
The largest woodpecker in Europe, it thrives in the park’s mature forests. It drums into trees for insects and excavates large nesting cavities, often reused by other species.

Peregrine Falcon
This swift, agile predator nests on sheer cliffs and hunts birds mid-flight. Its high-speed dives and sharp calls are common near the park’s canyons and open ridges.

Wallcreeper
Often seen fluttering along vertical rock faces, the wallcreeper is striking with its crimson wings and acrobatic movements. It feeds on insects tucked in cliffside crevices.

White-throated Dipper
Living along fast-flowing forest streams, the dipper dives underwater to feed on aquatic insects and larvae. It perches on rocks and has a characteristic bobbing motion.

Common Buzzard
This medium-sized raptor soars over clearings and forest edges, hunting small mammals and reptiles. It often perches on trees or rocks to scan for movement below.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
Specialized in hunting reptiles, especially snakes, this eagle hovers over open rocky ground and forest clearings. It is a regular sight gliding on thermals above the ridges.

Grey-headed Woodpecker
Found in mature mixed forests, this greenish woodpecker feeds on ants and insects. Its distinct laughing call and drumming are heard throughout the woodland.

Crested Tit
A small, forest-loving songbird with a distinctive spiked crest, the crested tit lives in coniferous woods. It forages for insects, seeds, and spiders and nests in tree cavities.

Küre Mountains National Park is one of the best-preserved natural forest landscapes in Turkey, offering a unique opportunity to witness a rich tapestry of wildlife and bird species thriving in harmony within this ancient and secluded ecosystem.

Küre Mountains National Park, located in northern Turkey along the Western Black Sea region, is one of the country’s most biologically diverse forest ecosystems. Known for its deep canyons, dense old-growth forests, and karstic terrain, the park supports an abundance of mammal and reptile species that flourish in its cool, humid environment.

Brown Bear
An iconic inhabitant of the park’s old-growth forests, the brown bear forages for berries, insects, roots, and small animals. Though shy, it is a keystone species within the forest ecosystem.

Grey Wolf
Roaming the park’s remote forests and mountainous areas, the grey wolf plays a vital ecological role by preying on deer, wild boar, and smaller mammals. It usually travels in packs.

Red Fox
Agile and clever, the red fox thrives in the forest undergrowth and along meadows. It preys on rodents and birds and supplements its diet with fruit and insects.

Wild Boar
A common species in the park, wild boars root through the soil in search of insects, acorns, and tubers. Their strong snouts and group behavior make them a dynamic presence in the forest.

European Wildcat
This elusive and solitary feline inhabits dense woodland and scrub areas. Nocturnal and highly territorial, it preys on small mammals and birds, rarely seen but vital to the food chain.

Roe Deer
These graceful herbivores are often seen in the forest’s quiet glades. Roe deer browse on grasses and shoots and are alert and quick-footed in avoiding predators.

European Pine Marten
Living in tree canopies and forested slopes, the pine marten is an agile hunter that preys on birds, squirrels, and insects. It is most active during twilight hours.

Hedgehog (Eastern European Hedgehog)
Well-suited to the park’s underbrush and forest edges, the hedgehog feeds on insects and worms. It uses its spines for defense and is primarily nocturnal.

European Badger
This burrowing mammal is active at night, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and fruit. It prefers mixed woodlands and leaves distinct trails between its sett and foraging areas.

Smooth Snake
A non-venomous reptile, the smooth snake inhabits rocky forest clearings and sunny edges. It preys on lizards and small rodents and is well-camouflaged in leaf litter.