Çilingoz Tabiat Parkı

Çilingoz Nature Park lies on the Black Sea coast of Çatalca, in a bay that opens at the end of the forest road running north from Binkılıç. The park appears as one of the Istanbul sites on the nature park list of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. According to that list, Çilingoz was declared a nature park on 11 July 2011 and is attached to the ministry's 1st Regional Directorate. The wider area that includes the park was declared a wildlife protection area in 2005 for its rich plant and animal life, and hunting here is permanently forbidden. Because the sources give conflicting figures for the park's surface area, we do not state one here. What makes the park special is that several different natural features meet in a single bay. Beach, forest, lake and reed bed come together in the cove. To the north stretches a fine sand beach about 1,200 metres long and 80 metres wide. The Çilingoz Creek flows northward and forms a narrow, sandy mouth where it reaches the Black Sea. Where the creek spreads out before reaching the sea, a large lake surrounded by reeds takes shape. On both sides of the bay, pale coloured cliffs appear beneath slopes covered with trees. A newspaper article describes how these cliffs, the caves, the creek banks and the vegetation on the dunes give the shore a richness of its own. The wooded part is dominated by oriental beech, oriental alder, hornbeam and Turkey oak. Among the shrubs are rhododendron, butcher's broom, myrtle, bay laurel, tree heath and the strawberry tree. On the sandy ground, dune plants such as dyer's alkanet and a golden flowered species of the genus Onosma have been observed. The recorded birds include quail, cormorant, woodcock, hawk, eagle owl, woodpecker, blackbird, stork, magpie and goldfinch. Among the mammals are roe deer, fox, marten, jackal, squirrel, porcupine and hare, and the sources also list wolf and deer. Red mullet, horse mackerel, grey mullet and bonito live in the coastal waters, while trout, carp, chub and eel live in the fresh water of the creek. The most rewarding place for birdwatching is the quiet shore of the reed fringed lake. The park offers visitors camping, angling, hiking and picnicking. There are areas rented out for tent and caravan camping, and because the camping season and conditions can change, it is best to get current information from the operator. The wooden bungalows in the park are reserved for forestry staff and are not rented to visitors. Entry to the park and the beach, as well as vehicle entry, is charged; check the amounts with official sources before you go. One of the rock formations on the shore is a natural mass known locally as the Aquarium, rising in a series of steps. Waves and currents change quickly on the Black Sea coast, so follow the warning signs in the park before going into the water. Taking your rubbish back with you and not disturbing the birds along the reeds are the basic rules of a visit that protects the natural area. The park can be reached from two directions. Coming from the south, from Çatalca or Saray, the route continues for about 17 kilometres on the forest road after Binkılıç. From the east, one comes from the Lake Terkos side through Ormanlı, Karacaköy and Yalıköy, and the distance between Yalıköy and the park is about 10 kilometres. Binkılıç and Yalıköy can be reached by bus from Istanbul, but getting from there to the park requires a taxi from Binkılıç or the shared minibuses that leave from Yalıköy. Those coming by public transport would be wise to set out early in the day and plan the return connection in advance. Neighbouring Yalıköy Beach and the northern section of the Anastasian Wall further south are stops that can be combined within the same day. For a quiet day choose a weekday, and for walking choose spring and autumn mornings before the heat sets in.