Nature & Wildlife trips in Turkey (Best places for nature lovers)

With its dreamy Aegean coastline and lunar-like Cappadocian rock chimneys, Turkey boasts a kaleidoscope of natural wonders and lyrical vistas. These landscapes provide a playground for active holidays in Turkey. You kayak in the Lake District, climb the towering Mt Ararat or simply bathe on Turkey’s glorious coast with these top nature attractions in Turkey.

Cappadocia

The fantastical region of Cappadocia has one of the most dreamy and unique natural landscapes in Turkey. Situated in the vast Central Anatolia Region, it’s renowned for its honeycombed rocks and chimney formations. Air balloon trips are one of the best ways to get a panoramic overview of its moon-like craters from above. The region is also rich in human history, with settlements carved directly into valley walls and rocks by Christians hiding from marauders. If you visit just one area, head to Göreme Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kaçkar Mountains

The Kaçkar Mountains are located in far east Turkey overlooking the eastern shores of the Black Sea. These glaciated mountains ascend to elevations of 3,937 m (12,917 ft) and are a treat for hikers and campers. This is as wild as wilderness gets, with wolves and bears among the region’s inhabitants. While its spectacular natural features will astound, the craggy landscape is also footnoted by man-made ruins and hilltop monasteries. Look for the romantic Zilkale Castle and the cliff-clinging Sümela Monastery.

Munzur Valley National Park

This vast national park is Turkey’s biggest and most diverse, spreading over 100,000 acres and spanning a large section of Tunceli Province. The park is easily accessed from the city of Tunceli or Ovacık town, both of which are just several kilometres from the park’s reaches. It has much to offer wildlife watchers and outdoor enthusiasts, with its endless mountain trails and winding, rafting rivers. As for wildlife, Munzur Valley National Park is home to wild boars, mountain goats, bears, wolves and badgers.

Turquoise Coast

Turkey’s premier sun-and-sand spot is also a fine area to feel at one with nature. The Turquoise Coast describes the coastal area from Antalya to Fethiye. It boasts a breathtakingly gorgeous blend of sandy shores, undulating hills and forested cliffs. Beach highlights include Patara Beach and İztuzu Beach, where you can combine sunbathing with turtle watching. For hikers, the famed Lycian Way runs parallel with the coast. Ancient ruins like Olympus, probably named after the Greek mountain, are must-visits on the route.

Lake District

The Turkish Lake District is nestled within Anatolia beneath the folds of the Taurus Mountains. Its central point of access is Eğirdir, a town and namesake for one of the largest lakes in the area. While the lakes themselves are tranquil, it’s also a fine base to head for mountain hikes in the Taurus Mountains. One of the most famous and historic walking trails is the St Paul Trail, which stretches from Perge through Eğirdir for Yalvaç. Laid over Roman roads, it’s a wild and impressive route that will give you a snapshot of this rich landscape.

Mt. Ararat

Turkey’s tallest mountain sits at the Armenian border and floats dreamily across the skyline. Climbing this mountain is no easy feat and requires a guide, permit and seasonal schedule. However, the mountain’s epic views are still accessible for those with less willing to climb. The town of Doğubeyazıt, Ağrı, sits in the mountain’s shadow, boasting some of the best views of this towering 5,137 m (16,854 ft) colossus. Enjoy the sumptuous scenery from picturesque highlights, like Ishak Pasha Palace or Durupınar, believed by locals to be the petrified ruins of Noah’s Ark.

Yenice Forests

The Yenice Forests are one of Turkey’s most important preservation projects. Located east of Istanbul near Safranbolu on the Black Sea Coast, the whole area is like a museum of trees. The forests are also laden with copious trails that can be tackled by foot or bicycle. You’ll find hiking trails that take anywhere from a few hours to a week in a landscape full of thriving fauna. There are wild cats, lynxes, otters, coyotes and deer, among some 130 bird species.

Kuscenneti National Park

This designated wildlife park on the edge of Kuş Lake is a must for birdwatchers. Over 250 species descend on the lake and wetland area throughout the year, including alluring pelicans, spoonbills and geese. Consisting of a 158-acre reserve, it’s an important stop-off point for many migratory species. Rarer birds, like the imperial eagle and white-throated kingfisher, attract ornithologists from all over Europe. Kuscenneti National Park has built a large panoramic viewing platform that offers sweeping views of both the bird species and the surrounding landscape.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is one of the most iconic tourist sites in Turkey, thanks to its white, cotton-like naturally-formed terraces containing mineral-rich thermal spring water. When UNESCO named it a heritage site, the vast tourist complexes that once donned the area were removed, and protections were put in place. Today, you can stroll around only some terraces and take a dip in a designated thermal pool. These astonishing pools and ice-white formations are made all the more wonderful by the archaeological sites nearby that date back over millennia.

İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park

This national park on the shores of the Black Sea is one of Turkey’s rarest marsh and swamp ecosystems and the third-largest floodplain in Europe. Ideal for kayaking and canoeing, you can meander through tranquil reedy marshes and lakes that empty out into the Black Sea. This spectacular water scenery is surrounded by lush forests that are home to white-tailed eagles, European green woodpeckers and cuckoos. The national park is accessible via the charming town of Igneada, featuring large sandy beaches of its own.