Alleben-Yamaçtepe Nature Park

About

Alleben-Yamaçtepe Nature Park is a 282-hectare area at Yamaçtepe, west of the city, in the Şahinbey district of Gaziantep. Located 6 km from the city centre, it was declared in 2016 and takes its name from a nearby village. The park can be reached by the road branching off the ring road at the Yamaçtepe junction or via the road to the Alleben Pond picnic area, and public transport also serves it. The park's key natural asset is its Turkish red pine forest. Sparrows, crows, hares, foxes and mice live here, along with a small number of buzzards and falcons. Facilities include an entrance checkpoint, a small mosque, picnic units, play equipment and a nature education centre with 7 cabins for 112 people, a dining hall and an administration building. With natural footpaths and terrain suited to sports, the park is a popular picnic spot, especially in spring, summer and autumn. The nature education centre runs camp programmes for children, young people and adults, and visitors can take nature walks and join outdoor activities.