Kure Mountains National Park: Forests and Canyons of the Black Sea Coast

Kastamonu AttractionsKure Mountains National Park: Forests and Canyons of the Black Sea Coast

Küre Mountains National Park—one of Europe’s 100 forest hotspots

On the western Black Sea coast of Turkey, between the Bartın and Kızılırmak rivers, the Küre Mountains stretch for 300 kilometers—the wettest and most forested range in the Western Black Sea region. In 2000, the best part of these mountains was designated as the Küre Mountains National Park (Küre Dağları Millî Parkı). The park covers an area of about 80,000 hectares, with a core zone of 37,753 hectares; the average elevation is 500 meters. The Küre Mountains National Park has been recognized by the WWF as one of Europe’s 100 forest hotspots requiring urgent protection, as well as the only one of Turkey’s eight critical natural areas to be included in the European list of the 20 most vulnerable natural territories. Bears and lynxes live here, 157 endemic species bloom, and the canyons plunge hundreds of meters into the depths.

History and Origin of the Küre Mountains National Park

The international conservation community’s interest in the Küre Mountains emerged as early as 1988, when the WWF included this area among its conservation priorities. At that time, work began on developing a conservation plan for the region. In the 1990s, the activities of mining and quarrying enterprises, as well as the clearing of forests for agricultural land, caused serious damage to the region—it was precisely this threat of destruction that led to the intensification of conservation efforts.

From 1998 to 2000, the Turkish Ministry of Forestry, with support from UNDP and FAO, implemented a project on national park management and biodiversity conservation. This resulted in the official establishment of Küre Dağları National Park on July 7, 2000. The park covers the districts of Pınarbaşı, Cide, Şenpazar, Azdavay, Kurucaşile, Ulus, and Amasra in the provinces of Kastamonu and Bartın. That same year, the concept of a buffer zone around protected areas was officially added to Turkey’s agenda.

In 2001, an Ecotourism Center opened in Pınarbaşı, where 20 local nature guides were trained. In 2002, ecotourism maps were published, and from 2001 to 2006, campaigns promoting sustainable forest use were launched among local communities. Ecotourism has created new jobs—especially for women, foresters, and unemployed youth. In April 2012, the park received certification from PAN Parks—the Network of Protected Areas in Europe.

Natural Areas and What to See

The key word for understanding the Küre Mountains is “humidity.” The western part of the Black Sea Mountains receives one of the highest annual precipitation amounts in Turkey; combined with the limestone terrain, this has created an ecosystem of canyons, caves, and relict forests.

Canyons: Horma, Valla, Çatak, Aydos

The park’s four main canyons—Horma, Valla, Çatak, and Aydos—form a unique ecosystem. The Valla Canyon is distinguished by walls over 1,000 meters high and strong storm winds, making it one of the most inaccessible places. The canyons cut through the karst landscape, creating narrow corridors with vertical limestone walls, at the base of which a mountain stream flows. Canyoning here requires special equipment and an experienced guide.

Ilgarini Cave

Ilgarini Cave is one of the deepest caves in Turkey. Its entrance is enormous, with a total length of 850 meters and a depth of 250 meters. The final two hours of the approach to the cave pass through a steep, damp, untouched forest. Visits are only possible with a local guide. At the entrance, there are preserved ruins of a small settlement (about 10 houses), presumably dating back to the Byzantine period, and water cisterns.

Forests: Five Altitudinal Zones

The Black Sea forests of Kyure are divided into five altitudinal zones. Near the coast—olive trees, strawberry trees, chestnuts, wild strawberries, and Crimean pine. Higher up—mixed forests dominated by fir, beech, and maple. The higher you go, the more frequently you encounter pristine old-growth stands—these are what are referred to as “old-growth forest formations.” For Russian-speaking travelers: a similar multi-tiered forest structure is familiar from the Caucasus, but Kyure’s flora is distinct and richer in endemic species.

Fauna and Ecotourism

The park is home to 48 of Turkey’s 160 mammal species: brown bear, roe deer, wild boar, otter, wolf (traces have recently been recorded again), and lynx. In 1999, red deer were reintroduced here—a species that had completely disappeared from Anatolia in the 1950s. Available active tourism activities: wildlife watching, hiking trails (trekking and hiking), horseback riding, mountain biking, caving, canyoning, and rock climbing.

Interesting facts and legends

  • The Küre Mountains are the only one of Turkey’s eight critical natural areas included in the European list of the 20 most endangered natural areas, compiled in the 1990s.
  • In 1999, red deer were introduced to the park from Bolu—a species that had disappeared from the wild in Anatolia in the 1950s; today, the population is recovering.
  • In the Küre Mountains, 157 species of endemic plants have been recorded, 59 of which are listed on the Red List; a new species—Abant Kazgagası—was recently identified, bringing the total number of endemics to 158.
  • The 250-meter-deep Ylgari Cave is one of the deepest in Turkey; at its entrance, ruins of a Byzantine-period settlement remain, though they have been damaged by treasure hunters.
  • The park received PAN Parks certification in 2012—the first in Turkey—demonstrating compliance with international standards for the management of protected areas.

How to get there

Küre Mountains National Park covers several districts of the provinces of Kastamonu and Bartın. The nearest major airports are Kastamonu (KFS) and Zonguldak (ONQ); both are approximately a 1–1.5-hour flight from Istanbul. From Istanbul, the bus ride to Kastamonu takes about 4 hours, and to Bartın about 4.5 hours. Entry to the park is possible through several gates; the most convenient routes are via Pınarbaşı (the ecotourism center) or via Amasra.

Amasra—a picturesque Black Sea town with a port, a historic fortress, and several hotels—is an ideal base for day trips to the park. It is about 50 km from Kastamonu to the park entrance in the Pınarbaşı area. A guide is required for most routes (especially canyoning and Yılgarini): book in advance through the Pınarbaşı Ecotourism Center or local travel agencies in Kastamonu.

Tips for travelers

The best time to visit the park is May–October. In May, the mountain meadows are in bloom and the rivers are full; June–August offers comfortable weather for trekking; in autumn (September–October), the forests turn golden and crimson—one of the best sights in the Black Sea region. In winter, some roads are impassable due to snow.

For hiking trails, you’ll need hiking boots with good traction: the forest and canyons are often damp. For canyoning and caving, you’ll need specialized gear, which can be rented in Pınarbaşı or through guides. Cell service in the valleys is unreliable—offline maps are a must. There is no regular public transportation from Kastamonu to the park—you’ll need a car or an organized tour. In the villages around the park, tourists are welcomed at family-run guesthouses (pansiyon)—a traditional format for Turkish ecotourism featuring home-cooked meals and local knowledge.

The park pairs well with a visit to Amasra (UNESCO, historic fortress, and beaches) and İnebolu (ancient Abonotich). Küre Mountains National Park — for those who aren’t looking for beaches and ruins in Turkey, but for a real wild forest where brown bears leave tracks in the mud and a canyon opens up like a sudden chasm around a bend in the trail.

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Frequently asked questions — Kure Mountains National Park: Forests and Canyons of the Black Sea Coast Answers to frequently asked questions about Kure Mountains National Park: Forests and Canyons of the Black Sea Coast. Information about the service's operation, capabilities, and use.
The WWF has recognized the Kyure Mountains as one of Europe’s 100 forest hotspots requiring urgent protection. In addition, the park has been included in the European list of the 20 most vulnerable natural areas—the only one of Turkey’s eight critical natural areas to make the list. In 2012, the park received PAN Parks certification (the European Network of Protected Areas), confirming its compliance with international standards for the management of protected areas.
The park is home to 48 of Turkey’s 160 mammal species. Among them are the brown bear, lynx, roe deer, wild boar, otter, and wolf—traces of the latter have recently been recorded again. In 1999, red deer were reintroduced to the park; they had completely disappeared from the wild in Anatolia as early as the 1950s; today, the population is gradually recovering.
Ilgarini Cave is one of the deepest caves in Turkey: its total length is 850 meters, and it reaches a depth of 250 meters. The cave entrance is enormous, but the approach takes about two hours through a steep, damp forest. Visiting on your own is not recommended and is virtually impossible without local knowledge: entry is permitted only with a local guide. Near the entrance, the ruins of a small settlement, presumably from the Byzantine period, have been preserved.
A total of 158 endemic plant species have been recorded in the Kyure Mountains—including the recently identified Abant Kazgagası, which brought the total number of endemic species to this figure. Fifty-nine species are listed as threatened on the Red List. The high number of endemic species is due to a combination of exceptional humidity and the karstic limestone terrain characteristic of this particular region of the Western Black Sea coast.
The park features four main canyons: Horma, Valla, Çatak, and Aydos. The Valla Canyon stands out for its walls over 1,000 meters high and strong storm winds—making it one of the most inaccessible areas in the park. All four canyons cut through the karst landscape, forming narrow limestone corridors with a mountain stream at the bottom. Canyoning here requires special equipment and the guidance of an experienced guide.
The park offers a wide range of activities: trekking and hiking along forest trails, canyoning in four gorges, caving (especially in the Ylgari Cave), rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and wildlife watching. Canyoning and caving equipment can be rented in Pınarbaşı or through guides. Beginners and families are advised to start with hiking trails—they are well-marked and require no special training.
The park was officially established on July 7, 2000. Interest in protecting the area dates back to 1988, when the WWF included the Küre Mountains among its priority conservation areas. In the 1990s, copper mining, quarrying, and deforestation for agricultural land caused serious damage to the region. Between 1998 and 2000, the Turkish Ministry of Forestry, with support from UNDP and FAO, implemented a national park management project, which resulted in the creation of Küre Dağları National Park.
The village of Pınarbaşı is home to an Ecotourism Center, which opened in 2001: here you can hire a trained local guide, pick up trail maps, and rent equipment. Family-run guesthouses (pansions) are located in the villages surrounding the park—a traditional form of Black Sea ecotourism featuring home-cooked meals. The town of Amasra, with its hotels and port, serves as a convenient base for day trips to the park.
Please note that the exact current admission fees are subject to change—we recommend checking the official website of the Turkish Ministry of Forestry or contacting the Pınarbaşı Ecotourism Center before your visit. Certain trails and activities (canyoning, a visit to the Ylgari Cave) require an additional fee, payable through certified guides.
The best time to visit is from May through October. In May, the mountain meadows are in bloom and the rivers are at their fullest. June through August are ideal for trekking: the weather is pleasant, and the trails are easily navigable. September through October mark the autumn foliage season, one of the most picturesque times of year in the Black Sea region. In winter, some roads are closed due to snow, and certain routes become impassable.
The park pairs well with a visit to Amasra—a Black Sea town featuring a historic fortress and beaches. İnebolu is also nearby. From Istanbul to Kastamonu (the nearest major city), it takes about 4 hours by bus or 1–1.5 hours by plane to KFS Airport. Including the park in a Black Sea coast itinerary allows you to experience nature, history, and seaside scenery all in one trip.
User manual — Kure Mountains National Park: Forests and Canyons of the Black Sea Coast Kure Mountains National Park: Forests and Canyons of the Black Sea Coast User Guide with a description of the main functions, features, and principles of use.
Decide on the type of trip in advance. If your priority is hiking and ecotourism, the most convenient place to stay is the village of Pınarbaşı, which is home to an Ecotourism Center offering guides and equipment. If you want to combine the park with the sea and urban amenities, choose Amasra—a picturesque Black Sea town with hotels, from which it’s easy to take day trips to the park. It’s about 50 km from Kastamonu to the park entrance at Pınarbaşı.
For most activities—canyoning, visiting the Ylgari Cave, and challenging hiking trails—a guide is required. Contact the Pınarbaşı Ecotourism Center or travel agencies in Kastamonu well in advance, especially during the high season (June–August). Check with your guide regarding the route duration, necessary equipment, physical fitness requirements, and current conditions in the park. The guide can also assist with renting equipment on-site.
Hiking boots with good traction are essential for hiking trails: the forests and canyons are damp year-round. Be sure to bring a raincoat or waterproof jacket, regardless of the forecast. Canyoning and caving require specialized gear—you can rent it in Pınarbaşı. Cell service in the valleys is unreliable, so be sure to download an offline map of the area (such as Maps.me or OsmAnd) before heading into the mountains.
The best option from Istanbul is to fly to Kastamonu Airport (KFS)—about 1–1.5 hours—and then rent a car. By bus from Istanbul to Kastamonu—about 4 hours; to Bartın—about 4.5 hours. Important: There is no regular public transportation from Kastamonu to the park. Without a personal or rental car, you will need to book an organized tour through a local agency—this is a convenient option if you don’t plan on exploring on your own.
When you arrive in Pınarbaşı, stop by the Ecotourism Center: there, you’ll receive up-to-date maps, learn about the park’s rules, and confirm your meeting with the guide. Check the weather forecast for the coming days—this is especially important for canyoning and high-altitude routes. If you’re planning multiple activities, coordinate the order of priority with your guide—some routes are best tackled in the morning.
Follow the marked trails and your guide’s instructions. Do not stray from the trail in the canyons—the walls may be unstable. In Ylgari Cave, stay with the group and do not touch the stalactites. If you encounter a bear or other large animal, remain calm and follow the guide’s instructions. Take your trash with you—the park has strict environmental regulations. Keep your phone in offline navigation mode.
If you plan to spend a few days in the park area, consider staying at family-run guesthouses in the villages surrounding the park—this is a traditional form of Black Sea ecotourism, featuring home-cooked meals and hosts who know the area well. After visiting the park, you can stop by Amasra: its historic center, fortress, and Black Sea beaches will complement your nature tour with urban experiences. A route through the Black Sea region naturally includes Küre Dağları National Park between Kastamonu and Amasra.