Uludağ National Park

Uludağ Overview

Uludağ National Park, known in Turkish as Uludağ Milli Parkı, is located in northwestern Turkey within Bursa Province. Spanning an area of approximately 52.6 square miles (136.8 square kilometers), the park centers on Uludağ Mountain, the highest peak in western Anatolia at 8,343 feet (2,543 meters).

This iconic mountain dominates the skyline and is visible from the Marmara Sea on clear days. The park features a diverse and dramatic landscape of steep alpine slopes, glacier-carved valleys, high plateaus, and thickly forested hillsides.

Vegetation zones shift with elevation, ranging from dense stands of fir, beech, and Scots pine in lower areas to juniper and alpine meadows filled with wildflowers in the highlands. In spring and summer, the slopes bloom with endemic plants, while autumn brings vibrant foliage and winter covers the peaks in deep snow.

The biodiversity within Uludağ National Park is among the richest in the region, making it a haven for wildlife. Mammals such as red deer, wild boars, brown bears, lynxes, and wolves inhabit the remote forests, though many are elusive and rarely seen by visitors. Smaller species like foxes, squirrels, and martens are more commonly spotted.

Bird species flourish in the varied ecosystems, including golden eagles, woodpeckers, Eurasian nuthatches, and owls. The high alpine meadows and wetlands support amphibians and reptiles, as well as a range of insect life that supports the park’s rich ecological web. The presence of endemic and rare plant species, some unique to Uludağ’s subalpine areas, further highlights its biological importance.

A popular and defining feature of the park is its role as Turkey’s premier winter sports destination. The Uludağ Ski Center offers a wide range of ski runs, modern lifts, and snow-covered slopes that attract thousands of visitors each season.

Beyond skiing and snowboarding, winter visitors enjoy snowshoeing, sledding, and scenic rides on the historic Uludağ cable car. In the warmer months, the park transforms into a destination for hiking, picnicking, and mountaineering. Well-marked trails lead to alpine lakes, waterfalls, and summits, offering panoramic views of the surrounding plains and distant seas.

Visitors engage with Uludağ National Park year-round through a range of activities. In summer, hiking and camping are popular, with trails suitable for both casual walkers and experienced trekkers. Designated picnic spots and forest clearings make the park ideal for day trips from nearby Bursa. In winter, the ski resort offers hotels, lodges, rental shops, and restaurants that serve both local and international tourists.

The scenic cable car, one of the longest in the world, provides a memorable and convenient way to ascend the mountain, offering expansive views of the forested valleys and urban landscapes below.

Conservation challenges at Uludağ include the pressure of heavy tourism, especially during peak winter and summer seasons. Urban encroachment, waste management, and habitat disturbance remain ongoing concerns.

However, the park benefits from strong environmental regulations and active cooperation between government agencies, local authorities, and conservation organizations. Educational programs, strict zoning, and ecological monitoring have helped balance recreation with preservation.

Uludağ National Park continues to serve as a model for integrating tourism with environmental stewardship in one of Turkey’s most beloved natural landscapes.

Park Map

Uludağ National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Uludağ National Park is also a sanctuary for birds of prey, forest songbirds, and high-mountain specialists. Its altitudinal variety—from dense woodland to alpine summit—provides ideal habitats for both resident and migratory species.

Golden Eagle
This powerful raptor soars above Uludağ’s ridgelines in search of rabbits, foxes, and birds. It nests on high cliffs and is a striking symbol of the park’s wild upper elevations.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Roosting in forested valleys or rocky ledges, this massive owl hunts rodents and birds after dark. Its deep hoots echo through the woods in the stillness of night.

Common Buzzard
Frequently seen circling above forest clearings and meadows, the buzzard feeds on small mammals and reptiles. It is one of the park’s most visible raptors year-round.

Black Woodpecker
This large woodpecker thrives in Uludağ’s mature conifer forests, drilling into trees for insects. Its loud drumming and bright red crown make it easy to recognize.

White-throated Dipper
This unique aquatic songbird lives along mountain streams and waterfalls. It dives underwater for insects and larvae and is often seen bobbing on rocks mid-stream.

Alpine Chough
A social and acrobatic bird of high elevations, the alpine chough is often seen in flocks near cliffs and ridges. It feeds on insects and berries and nests in rocky crevices.

Coal Tit
A small and active songbird, the coal tit forages through pine branches in search of seeds and insects. It is a regular resident of the park’s forest canopy.

Wallcreeper
With crimson wings and butterfly-like flight, the wallcreeper clings to sheer rock faces near cliffs and ravines. It feeds on insects and is a prized sighting for birdwatchers.

Raven
A common highland resident, the raven is intelligent and vocal, soaring over meadows and ridges. It scavenges for food and often nests in rock faces or tall trees.

Tawny Owl
This woodland owl is active at night, preying on small mammals and roosting in tree hollows by day. Its distinctive hooting is part of the nocturnal soundscape of the lower forests.

Uludağ National Park is a highland refuge where forest, meadow, and summit merge—creating a stunningly diverse ecosystem filled with elusive mammals and soaring birdlife, all thriving amid the dramatic beauty of one of Turkey’s most beloved mountain landscapes.

Uludağ National Park, located in Bursa Province in northwestern Turkey, is dominated by the majestic Uludağ Mountain, the highest peak in western Anatolia. Known for its alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and dense fir and pine forests, the park offers a wide range of altitudes and habitats—making it a biodiversity hotspot that supports a rich collection of forest and mountain-dwelling mammals and reptiles.

Brown Bear
One of the most iconic species of the park, the brown bear roams the coniferous forests and alpine meadows, foraging for berries, roots, insects, and small mammals. It hibernates during winter in secluded dens.

Grey Wolf
A top predator in the park’s ecosystem, the grey wolf hunts deer, wild boar, and smaller mammals. It moves in small packs across forested ridges and open highlands, especially at dawn and dusk.

Wild Boar
Common in forested areas and along riverbanks, wild boars root through soil for tubers, insects, and acorns. They are robust animals often seen in family groups.

Red Fox
Widespread throughout Uludağ’s meadows and woodlands, the red fox is a clever and opportunistic predator. It feeds on rodents, birds, and insects and is frequently active near human trails in the early morning.

Roe Deer
These shy and graceful herbivores browse on grasses, shoots, and leaves in forest clearings and high meadows. They are most active at dawn and often seen near water sources.

European Pine Marten
This slender, tree-dwelling predator is found in the park’s mature coniferous forests. It feeds on birds, squirrels, and insects and is most active at dusk and during the night.

European Wildcat
Roaming the quieter parts of the forest, the wildcat resembles a muscular domestic cat with a thick, ringed tail. It hunts small mammals and birds and avoids human disturbance.

Eastern Hedgehog
Common in lower forest edges and grassy zones, this insectivore emerges at night to feed on beetles, worms, and slugs. It hibernates in cold weather and curls into a spiny ball when threatened.

Spur-thighed Tortoise
This herbivorous reptile is most commonly found in open, sunlit clearings at lower elevations. It feeds on grasses and wildflowers and retreats to shelter during colder seasons.

Common European Adder
This venomous but generally shy snake is found in alpine meadows and forest openings. It feeds on small rodents and amphibians and hibernates during the long Uludağ winters.