Mount Ilgaz National Park is a protected area located on the Ilgaz Mountains in the western Black Sea region of Turkey. The park enjoys an ecosystem rich in flora and fauna, due to its location in a transitional area between Central Anatolia and the Black Sea region.
The park’s vegetation consists of forests, shrubby vegetation, and alpine plants in general, as the low-altitude parts of the northern slopes are covered with Turkey oak, European black pine and fir forests, while hornbeam and beech trees are prevalent in areas with Its altitude ranges from 1,000 to 1,300 meters, followed by Turkish pine and Scots pine at higher elevations. The characteristic alpine zone begins at altitudes above 2,000 meters, rich in many rare and endemic plants consisting of dwarf shrubs.
The abundant water combined with the rich vegetation provides ideal habitat conditions for animals such as deer, roe deer, wild boar, grey wolf, brown bear, red fox, wildcat, lynx, European pine marten, beech marten weasel, rabbit, squirrel, hedgehog, mole, bat, European badger and European otter, and many more of birds and reptiles. Mount Ilgaz National Park is an important destination for tourists, as it provides opportunities for various outdoor sports, including hiking, camping, hunting, and other activities.