Şamlar Nature Park

About

Şamlar Nature Park is in the Arnavutköy district of İstanbul, within the Şamlar neighbourhood from which it takes its name. Designated on 11 July 2011, it covers about 335 hectares, all of it forest, and its woodland and reservoir lake make it suitable for recreation. Conifers such as stone pine, Turkish red pine, black pine and Syrian juniper dominate the vegetation, joined by broadleaved trees including downy oak, Aleppo oak, ash, sweet chestnut, hornbeam, alder and Turkish hazel, and shrubs such as Spanish broom, bay laurel, tree heath, strawberry tree, rockrose and dog rose. Fox, hare and squirrel live here alongside buzzard, goldfinch and magpie. The park offers hiking, cycling, angling, photo safaris and picnics, with country restaurants, a kiosk and playgrounds. Forest paths suit both short and long walks, and there is a cycle path of about 1,300 metres. A scout camp in the east runs activities such as zip-line (fly-fox), archery and badminton. Care is needed in the marshy areas around the reservoir.