Guide
Cemal Tural Nature Park is a 51-hectare woodland on the edge of Ardahan, and it takes its name from the thirteenth Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Republic. It was declared on 11 July 2011. The page places it both opposite the Yenisey campus of Ardahan University and about nine kilometres from the city centre, and says it lies to the south of the campus.
The forest is natural Scots pine, with a plantation of silver birch making up the other half of the picture. For a park this close to a city the mammal list is striking: roe deer, brown bear, wolf, lynx, wild boar, red squirrel, fox and hare. Sparrowhawk, common buzzard, lesser spotted eagle, blackbird, kestrel and little owl are the birds recorded.
The day-use area is laid out with drinking fountains, arbours, toilets, a children's play area, barbecue hearths and bins. Picnicking, walking and cycling are the activities, and the directorate says people come mainly in spring and summer to picnic. Capacity is 1,500 visitors and 100 vehicles, with hours of 08:30 to 20:00.
Turning left off Kars Avenue, the park is on the right along the Ardahan-Çıldır road. Minibuses leaving the city centre pass in front of it.
- Designated
- 11.07.2011
Entry fee
- Southeastern Anatolia group 1 · category 2 · Per person
- 40 ₺
