Western Turkey forests charm visitors with autumn hues

By Gokhan Yilmaz and Selim Bostanci

ZONGULDAK/BARTIN, Turkey (AA) - Western Black Sea region's two provinces Zonguldak and Bartin enchant their visitors with different shades of green through variety of trees and plants.

Zonguldak, known as the "black diamond land", and Bartin with its Kure Mountains National Park welcome visitors with all shades of blue and green, waterfalls, canyons, and streams.

Zonguldak's City Forest in the town of Elvanpazarcik is one of the favorite spots for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts as well as tourists visiting the city. Visitors throughout all seasons enjoy discovering a variety of beauties via the paths into the forest while finding tranquility in the chirping sounds of birds.

The forest displays rather a picturesque scene with its different forest vegetation, including needle- and broad-leaved trees. Many visiting the City Forest do not leave without capturing souvenir photographs on the bridges over the stream, and the scenery.

Meanwhile, northern Bartin province's Kure Mountains offer an insatiable view to its visitors via different shades of tree colors, waterfalls, canyons, and streams.

The national park, which is located at the border of Bartin and Kastamonu provinces, has the Protected Areas Network Parks (PAN Parks) certificate and fascinates its visitors in autumn.

While the trees around the stream attract photography enthusiasts in the Kure Mountains, which covers an area of approximately 37,000 hectares (9,1429 acres), the Ulukaya village waterfall, canyon, and valley that is 60 kilometers (37 miles) away from the city, is listed among the places visited by local and foreign tourists in all seasons.

Kure Mountains National Park, which has endemic plants, rich wildlife and authentic values, also provides activities such as hiking and photo safari.

*Writing by Merve Aydogan in Ankara.