| Mount Ilgaz National Park | |
| Alt Name: | Ilgaz Dağı Milli Parkı |
| Iucn Category: | II |
| Photo Width: | 275 |
| Map: | Turkey |
| Relief: | yes |
| Label Position: | right |
| Label: | Mount Ilgaz NP |
| Location: | Kastamonu Province-Çankırı Province, Turkey |
| Nearest City: | Kastamonu |
| Coords: | 41.0733°N 33.8069°W |
| Area: | 742.38ha |
| Governing Body: | Directorate-General of Nature Protection and National Parks Ministry of Environment and Forest |
The Mount Ilgaz National Park (Turkish: Ilgaz Dağı Milli Parkı) is a protected area established on June 2, 1976 and located on the Ilgaz Mountains at the borderline between Kastamonu Province and Çankırı Province in the western Black Sea Region of Turkey. Natural resources and its potential for recreational activities are the main values of the national park, which stretches over an area of 742.38ha.[1] [2]
The terrain structure of the Mount Ilgaz region, which is on the transient zone from Central Anatolia to North Anatolia, is characterized in general by serpentinite, schist and volcanic rock. There are also interesting examples in the region regarding mountain formation. Turkey's longest and most active geological fracture, the North Anatolian Fault, runs through the southern foot of Mount Ilgaz. The entire region features valleys, slopes and peaks of different characters. Additionally, it has geomorphological structure with a high-level landscape speciality.[1]
The national park is on the Ilgaz Mountains, a mountain range in the western Black Sea Region. The mountains are bordered in the north by Gökırmak River and in the south by Devrez Creek, forming the hydrographic boundary between the two river basins. The Gökırmak River originates in the northern slopes of the Ilgaz Mountains, and flows in the west–east direction joining Kızılırmak River as one of its main tributaries. Devrez Creek follows the North Anatolian Fault joining also Kızılırmak in the east.[2]
The highest peaks in the range are Büyükhacettepe at 2587m (8,488feet), Küçükhacettepe at 2546m (8,353feet), Çeþtepe at 2394m (7,854feet) and Karataş Hill at 2380m (7,810feet). The ridges of the Ilgaz Maountains stretch about 23km (14miles) in the west–east direction.[2]
Average annual temperature at the national park is 9.8 °C. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of −0.8 °C, while the warmest month is July with 20 °C followed by August with 19.7 °C. According to the meteorological station in Kastamonu, average annual rainfall is 486mm. In the lower parts of the national park as in the valley floors, rainfall is about 400mm and at the mountain peaks, it is about 1200mm. Precipitation is highest in spring and earlysummer. The north facing slopes of the higher regions receive relative more rainfall. Central Anatolian climate causes snow over remains for about six months with snow thickness reaching about 1m (03feet) on slopes.[2]
Thanks to the location of the national park in the transient region between Central Anatolia and Black Sea Region, the national park has a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna.[3]
Mount Ilgaz National Park offers opportunities for diverse outdoor sports including hiking, camping and caravaning as well as daily activities. Angling at fishponds situated on Karasu stream in Baldıran Valley is possible between June 15 and September 15. Visitors can also buy trout throughout the year from fish hatcheries in the same area.[1] [3]
Another important feature of the national park is its potential for winter sports, which is performed at the site since the 1990s. The ski resort attracts visitors from Istanbul and Ankara.[7] The nearest ski resort to Ankara is situated in the national park, called "Ankara Konağı" ("Ankara Lodge"). The Ilgaz Ski Resort, established officially in 1997 containing the entire national park, has an 800adj=midNaNadj=mid ski slope available, which is served by a chairlift and a surface lift, each 1500m (4,900feet) long.[1]
The national park is situated on the state road D.765 between Çankırı and Kastamonu, which runs from Ankara to Black Sea coast northwards. It is 450km (280miles) east of Istanbul and 200km (100miles) northeast of Ankara, and 45km (28miles) south of Kastamonu,[3] where also an airport is available. The site is 25km (16miles) north of the town Ilgaz on the Istanbul-Samsun highway D.100 (European route E80).[4] [8]
The main entrance to the national park is near the mountain pass at 1850m (6,070feet), which is the highest point of the highway D.765.
To meet the catering and lodging needs of the visitors, the national park consists of a holiday village, social facilities and a hotel, all situated within Kastamonu Province side of the province borderline. In addition, there are accommodation facilities belonging to various public institutions. Ilgaz Mountain Resort offers 118 suites having 446 beds.[4] The total lodging capacity at the national park is 666.[1]