Forests and Groves
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Kızılcahamam
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The forests surrounding Ankara are mostly in Kızılcahamam, Beypazarı, Çamlıdere, Ayaş and Bala. Some of them are National Parks and all have picnic areas and facilities. The forests are very rich in flora with oak, juniper and pine trees.
Soğuksu National Park
The forest is 80 kilometers away from city center via the Istanbul highway and
near Kızılcahamam. Covering 2600 acres, the park is known for its thermal and
freshwater springs, and wooded valleys. Inaugurated in 1959 it was the third
national park in Turkey and has the highest point of 1789 meters. The park provides
a natural habitat for wild boars, bears, foxes, jackals, squirrels, rabbits,
and thousands of species of birds. Within the allocated areas of the park, restaurants,
camping and picnic areas are at the disposal of visitors. The best time to visit
the forest is between April and October. The spring migration and early summer
periods are active with breeding birds, however fall is the best period for
raptors. The park has a circular route (marked as çevre yolu)
which we are sure you'll enjoy wandering around. If you follow the road to the
right it leads you to more virgin parts of the park and at last, a remote mountain
village Elören and down to Kırmır stream.
The height above sea level of Soğuksu varies from 1000 to 1800 meters and it
is among the best places for mountaineering and trekking near Ankara. If you
want to have a weekend getaway, small hotels will welcome you into the green
wilderness. As the park is one of the few clean breathing places around Ankara,
it is crowded during the weekends of summer months.
Patalya Thermal Hotel
Soğuksu Milli Parkı, Kızılcahamam
Tel: (312) 736 02 00, Fax: (312) 736 02 10
Çam Hotel
Soğuksu Milli Parkı, Kızılcahamam
Tel: (312) 736 10 65, Fax: (312) 734 49 24
Beynam Forest
During ancient times, what is now Ankara, was once only forest. Beynam Forest
is all that remains from ancient times. It is located 54 km. south of the city
on the Kırşehir highway. Although the facilities are limited it is a perfect
place for a one-day-getaway and also one of the best places near Ankara for
trekking. Soğuksu has a legend: when Timurlenk the Hun Emperor, was battling
with the Ottoman Empire, he hid the army and its elephants in the Beyman forest.
Çamkoru Forest and Recreation Areas
Çamkoru Forest and recreation area is located 25 kilometers from Kızılcahamam.
It is preferred by weekend picnickers and people wishing to spend time in nature.
Also See:
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