Sarıçalı Mountain National Park

About

Sarıçalı Mountain National Park is a 1,024-hectare protected area in Central Anatolia, north-west of central Ankara, within the Nallıhan district. Declared in 2021, it is Türkiye's 46th national park and Ankara's third. Its natural and cultural assets, rural and cultural landscapes and ecotourism potential were the main reasons for its protection. The park lies 25 km from the centre of Nallıhan and can be reached from the north, west and south by dirt and asphalt roads; the nearest settlements are the neighbourhoods of Arkutça, Çulhalar and Kadıköy. The western branch of the northern access road leads to Uyuzsuyu (Ilıcasu) Waterfall. Located in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographic region, the area is mainly forested: black pine forms pure stands or mixes with oaks, and there are also mixed oak-juniper and broadleaf forests. Red deer are abundant on Sarıçalı Dağı, and other species include wolf, lynx, bearded vulture, grey heron, sparrowhawk, red fox and stone marten. Visitor facilities are still at the planning stage.