Trabzon - Uzungöl Natural Park

NATURE PARKS

Location: The park is in the Cankara district, 25km from Trabzon and 19km from Cankara.

Transportation: The park can be reached via the 10 state highway from Trabzon, then from Caykara for another 19km.

Highlights: The 1625 hectares of the park were designated as a Nature Park in 1989 because of the rich plant life, wildlife and sightseeing potential. The dominant tree species is Eastern spruce, and there are also badger, bearded, alder, horn-beam, hazelnut, oak, mountain elm and silver birch trees. Species of animals include mountain goat, roe deer, bear, wolf, wild boar, marten, badger, lynx, jackal, fox, rabbit, squirrel, wild ducks, birds of prey, trout and various kinds of reptiles.

The most important river in the area is the Demirkapi, and the Uzungol Lake was formed as a result of the rocks closing the mouth of the river. 10km south of the lake is the Norizca mountain, with an altitude of 300m. The best time to visit the park is between April and October.

Facilities: There is accommodation in the park.