Kartaltepe Nature Park

About

Kartaltepe Nature Park is a 254-hectare protected area in the Şarköy district of Tekirdağ, on the Ganos Mountain range overlooking the Sea of Marmara, declared in 2014. Thanks to its altitude, it offers views that take in forest, sea and an island together. From the centre of Tekirdağ, the park is reached via the Mürefte–Barbaros road, passing Barbaros, Kumbağ and Yeniköy. Its proximity to the city and its paragliding activities draw visitors from neighbouring provinces as well. Forest, steppe and meadow vegetation occur here. Pedunculate oak, Hungarian oak, prickly juniper, hornbeam and oriental beech are the dominant species, while rockrose, dog rose, heather and hawthorn are common in the second layer. Mammals include the red fox, badger, hare, forest dormouse, hedgehog and mole rat, and tortoises, lizards, frogs and snakes also live here. With day-use areas, picnic units, a prayer room, a fountain, a playground and local produce stands, the park offers walking, running, cycling, photo safaris and, in season, paragliding.