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From Kurul Castle to Cape Jason, a Day on the Ordu Coast
Routes4 Stop

From Kurul Castle to Cape Jason, a Day on the Ordu Coast

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Ordu is a coastal city that faces the sea and leans its back against slopes covered with hazelnut orchards. This route begins on one of those slopes, at the Kurul Rocks, then follows the coast road westward and ends at Cape Jason, the peninsula of Perşembe that reaches out into the sea. Only a few hours of driving separate the four stops, yet over the day you hear a wide story that runs from a mountain fortress of the Pontic kingdom to the city's viewing terrace, and from an islet left to the birds to a cape tied to the legend of the Argonauts.

The first stop is Kurul Castle, south of Altınordu within the boundaries of Bayadı. According to the archaeologists who excavate it, this settlement on a sharp rock commanding the valley of the Melet River was used as a garrison fortress in the time of the Pontic king Mithradates VI, and it has been under excavation since 2010. The municipality and the provincial directorate present it as the first scientific archaeological excavation site in the Eastern Black Sea. Climbing the castle's steps and viewing terraces in the cool of the morning is the most comfortable option. The second stop is Boztepe, just above the city, where the whole of Ordu's coastline spreads out beneath your feet like a map. The team that excavates Kurul writes that in antiquity Boztepe commanded the western road reaching Ordu by way of Perşembe and Fatsa, and the rest of the route follows exactly that direction.

Coming down from Boztepe and joining the coast road, you reach Perşembe. Hoynat Islet, which lies within the boundaries of Ramazan right beside the tunnel that bears its name, cannot be visited on foot; it is watched through binoculars from the viewing terrace on the opposite shore. The islet is one of the few breeding sites in Turkey for the European shag and the herring gull. The last stop is Cape Jason, the small peninsula that reaches into the sea west of Perşembe within the boundaries of Çaytepe. Wandering the rocks at the tip of the cape and waiting for the evening sun here makes the finest end to the day.

The order follows the geography: first the mountain fortress inland, then the hill above the city, and after that two nature stops along the coast to the west. There is walking at the castle and on Boztepe; the slopes are steep and the steps can be slippery in places, so wear shoes with a good grip. At Hoynat keep quiet so as not to disturb the birds, and bring your binoculars. At Cape Jason stay away from the water when the waves on the rocky shore are strong. Kurul Castle and Cape Jason are protected sites; do not leave the marked paths and do not enter the excavation areas. For information that can change, such as visiting conditions and the cable car, check the current announcements of the Ordu Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism before you set out.

Sources

Altınordu, Ordu
Routes
4 Stop
~5 h at places
Travel ~32.9 km · 55 min
Total ~5 h 55 min
October 19, 2026

Route Stops

1
Kurul Kalesi

Kurul Castle.

~1 h 30 min here
Bayadı Mahallesi, Altınordu / Ordu

Begin the day at Kurul Castle, within the boundaries of Bayadı about 13 kilometres south of Ordu city centre. An asphalt road climbs to the castle, and there is a large car park at the entrance to the site. After leaving your car, look for a while at the limestone mass rising in front of you; these three great rock blocks, marked on maps as the Kurul Rocks, are the castle's natural wall. According to the study published by the excavation team, the summit stands 571 metres above sea level and its eastern and southern slopes facing the river drop almost sheer. That is why, today as in the past, the castle is approached from the gentler northern and southern slopes that face Bayadı. On the way up you will see steps carved into the bedrock; uncovered in 2012, these steps show the castle's old approach road. Climb them without hurrying, because in places they can be steep and slippery. The first structure to note above is the stepped tunnel cut into the rock, the passage known locally as the dehliz. Researchers describe the tunnel descending through the rock on a straight slope and ending in a natural rock basin where water rises in the floor. The excavation team thinks the tunnel may have been filled with stone and earth when the Roman commander Pompey had the water structures of the Pontic fortresses blocked. In the inner citadel there is another large round reservoir carved into the rock; visitor signs call it a cistern, but the head of the excavation treats that function with caution. Near the summit lies the open-air cult area that the researchers named the Wishing Rock. Look here for the small offering pits cut into the rock face and the deep channels that curve down from it. Most of the coins found in the excavations date to the reign of Mithradates VI, and they show that the castle served as a garrison in that period. The most famous find on the site is the marble statue of Cybele uncovered at the castle's main gate in 2016. The excavations also yielded figures of Dionysus and Pan, goat-shaped vessels, coins and small finds numbering in the thousands. You will not see these objects on site; the finds are handed over to the museum, so devote your visit to the remains themselves. You will see excavation areas separated by fences in places, the team may be at work during the digging season, and these areas are off limits. The provincial directorate reports that it has laid out walking paths, seating areas and illuminated viewing terraces on the site. Stop on one of the terraces and look east; below you will see the valley where the Melet River winds its way towards the sea. Archaeologists note that the castle lies about 9 kilometres back from the point where the river meets the sea and was built in a position commanding the river mouth. When you turn north, the alluvial plain on which Ordu is built and the coastline stand out clearly in fine weather. Because the morning light falls across the valley from the side, this is also the best hour of the day for those who want to take photographs. Since there is a picnic area on the site, you can bring water and a light snack and take a short break on a terrace. Kurul Castle is a first-degree archaeological and natural protected site; do not take stones from the rocks and do not leave the marked path. Returning from here to the centre of Ordu and climbing Boztepe above the city is the second step of the route.

Source: Şenyurt ve Akçay 2016, Seleucia; Ordu İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü, Kurul Kalesi; Ordu Büyükşehir Belediyesi.

Kurul Castle is an ancient settlement built on a sharp rock within the boundaries of Bayadı neighbourhood, about thirteen kilometres south of Ordu city centre. The site is protected as a first-degree archaeological and natural conservation area. Küre Encyclopedia writes that the castle stands on a rock at 571 metres above sea level, overlooking the valley of the Melet River. The settlement stretches along the ridge in a north-east to south-west direction. The first archaeological excavation at the castle began in 2010 under the direction of the Ordu Museum Directorate. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Yücel Şenyurt served as the scientific adviser of the excavations and later as their director. The Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism presents Kurul as the first systematic archaeological excavation site launched in the Black Sea Region. Fired clay roof tiles and pottery fragments found during the excavation showed that the site was settled in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. According to the excavation results reported by Küre Encyclopedia, the origins of the settlement go back to the 3rd century BC. It became a fortress, however, at the beginning of the 1st century BC, during the reign of Mithradates VI, the last great ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus. In this period it is thought to have served as a defensive garrison while also taking on administrative and religious functions. The cultural inventory of the Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration writes that the settlement came to an end with a great fire that broke out during a powerful Roman attack. After that, the castle remained unused for about two thousand years. The castle is enclosed by stone walls averaging two and a half metres in thickness. The settlement consists of two main parts, the inner citadel at the summit and the north-eastern terrace. These two parts are linked to each other by corridor-like passages and entrance gates. Storage buildings, rooms for military use and spaces with a religious function have been identified in the excavations. Movement between the parts at different levels is made possible by long flights of steps uncovered by the excavations. The most striking structure on the site is the stepped tunnel carved into the bedrock. Küre Encyclopedia writes that this tunnel has 426 steps, while the provincial directorate and news reports speak of between 250 and 300 steps. At the end of the tunnel there is a natural rock basin thought to have been used as a water cistern. This tunnel and cistern are a good example for understanding a besieged garrison's need to reach water. The find that made Kurul known across Turkey came to light in the 2016 excavation season. A marble statue of Kybele seated on her throne was found at the main entrance gate of the castle. The cultural inventory of the regional development administration reports that the wooden structure above the statue collapsed during the attack and covered it, so that the statue survived in place to the present day. The size of the statue is given differently in the sources; the inventory speaks of a height of about 110 centimetres and a weight of 200 kilograms. Being one of the first Hellenistic Kybele statues found in its original position makes it scientifically important. The finds from the excavations are not limited to this. They include figures of Dionysus and Pan, goat-shaped rhyta, an Apollo figurine, bronze depictions of Hermes and an eagle, bronze door keys and a pendant made of onyx. Arrowheads and spearheads, sandstone cannonballs, oil lamps and coins also shed light on the military life of the castle. According to the excavation team, the number of artefacts found has reached several thousand. In later seasons a second entrance gate on the eastern side of the castle and storage jars buried in the ground were also uncovered. Today the site has walking trails, seating areas and illuminated viewing terraces. The provincial directorate also notes that a picnic area and a car park have been laid out at the site. From the viewing terraces the Melet valley, the surrounding wooded ridges and the slopes covered with hazelnut orchards can be seen from a wide angle. Visitors do not enter the excavation area itself; the trenches are watched from the paths and terraces around them. The castle is reached by car on the roads heading south from the city centre, and a walk is needed to reach the top of the hill. Because of the steps and the sloping ground, comfortable, non-slip shoes are needed. In summer, if the excavation season is under way, some sections may be closed to visitors; it is a good idea to ask the provincial directorate of culture and tourism about current visiting conditions. The rocky summit of the castle is especially impressive at sunset, but bear in mind that the way back can become difficult in the dark.
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2
Ordu Boztepe

Ordu Boztepe.

~1 h 15 min here
Boztepe Mahallesi, Altınordu / Ordu

After returning to the city from Kurul, the second stop is Boztepe, which rises just above Ordu. You can reach the top by three ways: the road through Selimiye, the asphalt road that joins the ring road by way of Oğmaca and Yaraşlı, or the cable car that leaves from Atatürk Park on the seafront. The provincial directorate states that the hill lies about 6 kilometres from the city centre. Since you are travelling by car on this route the road is easiest, but those who want to enjoy rising slowly above the city can leave the car on the seafront and take the cable car. The cable car line entered service in 2012 and links the shore to the hilltop. Because schedules and ticket information can change, check the current situation in the announcements of the operating institution. Boztepe's height is given differently in the sources; the provincial directorate says 450 metres, while other sources say 530 or 550 metres. Whichever it is, once you reach the top it suddenly becomes clear why Ordu leans against this slope. The neighbourhood of the same name, Boztepe, also sits on the hill; according to the sources, a considerable population migrated here from Georgia after the war of 1877-1878. First walk to the viewpoint and read the city from left to right. Below lie the neighbourhoods climbing the slope, the city stretched along the shore and the endless Black Sea in front of it. The archaeologists who excavate Kurul Castle write that in antiquity Boztepe commanded the western road that came to Ordu by way of Perşembe, Bolaman and Fatsa. So turn your gaze west, towards where the coast curves away into the distance; the last two stops of the route lie in that direction. According to the provincial directorate, part of the hill has been laid out as a walking axis on the old road, about 600 metres long, and closed to motor traffic. Along this axis you can walk comfortably while seeing the city from different angles. The municipality has also set up wooden stalls selling local produce on the hill; here you can get to know Ordu's hazelnuts and highland products. Because there are wooded picnic areas and resting places on the hill, it is easy to sit in the shade and take a short break. In clear weather Boztepe is also a launch point for paragliding; you may see colourful wings gliding down towards the city. The midday hours make the light harsh for photographs, but if there is no haze every bend of the coast stands out most clearly at this time. If you are coming back to the city in the evening, consider climbing Boztepe once more after dark to see the city lights. On busy summer days the cable car and the car park can be crowded, so coming on a weekday makes for a calmer visit. When you leave the hill, go down to the coast road and turn west towards Perşembe; the next stop is Hoynat Islet.

Source: Ordu İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü, Boztepe; Kültür Portalı, Boztepe; Şenyurt ve Akçay 2016, Seleucia.

Boztepe is the hill against which the city of Ordu leans, and it offers a bird's eye view of the whole city. The Ordu Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism writes that the city is spread across the slopes of this hill and presents it as the best known viewpoint in the province. A neighbourhood of the same name also sits on the hill and, according to Wikipedia, lies about four kilometres from the city centre. The name of the neighbourhood dates back to the Ottoman period, and after the war of 1877-1878 a considerable Georgian population from Georgia settled here. The height of the hill is given differently in the sources. The provincial directorate and the Culture Portal speak of about 450 metres above sea level, a news report based on Anadolu Agency mentions 530 metres, and English Wikipedia gives 550 metres. For the upper station of the gondola, English Wikipedia gives an altitude of 498 metres. The safest description is therefore that Boztepe is a hill rising a few hundred metres above the shore and standing just west of the city. Looking down from the hill, you can see the whole of Ordu's narrow coastal plain squeezed between the sea and the mountains. The shoreline curves away to the west, and the city's harbour, coastal road and stadium can be picked out inside this curve. The ridges rising one behind another in the background show why Ordu is known for its steep slopes covered in hazelnut orchards. On a clear day the horizon of the Black Sea appears as a broad line; on humid summer days, however, the horizon can be hazy. There are two ways up to Boztepe. Those arriving by car can use the road climbing up from Selimiye neighbourhood or the asphalt road that connects to the ring road via Oğmaca and Yaraşlı. The provincial directorate notes that these roads were improved with the ministry's support and that the hill lies about six kilometres from the provincial centre. The second and more popular way is the gondola that departs from near Atatürk Park on the shore. The gondola line is operated by Ordu Metropolitan Municipality and opened on 9 June 2012. According to English Wikipedia the line is about 2350 metres long, with seven support towers between the two stations. Eight-seat cabins run on the line, and the ride takes a few minutes. As the cabin climbs, first the rooftops of the city, then the shoreline and finally the wooded slopes of the hill come into view. Since the operating hours and fares of the gondola can change, check the current information on the operator's website. On top of the hill, a stretch of road about 600 metres long that used to carry cars was closed to traffic and turned into a walking route under a project by the metropolitan municipality. Landscaping was carried out along this route, and according to news reports wooden kiosks selling local products were set up. The provincial directorate writes that the area has places to eat, drink and rest, as well as wooded picnic areas. From the viewpoints along the walking route, the city and the sea can be watched from different angles. Boztepe is also known as a launch point for paragliding. According to news reports, paragliders take off from the hill and glide towards the shore to land on the beach. Paragliding flights can only be made with authorised organisations that do this work and when the weather allows. The most striking times to visit are early morning and sunset. Morning light illuminates the city from the east, while in the late afternoon, as the sun sinks behind the coast to the west, the sea and the shoreline take on warm colours. Since the hill can be crowded in summer and at weekends, coming on a weekday or in the morning is more comfortable. In winter the road stays open, but fog and rain can hide the view completely, so it is a good idea to check the weather before going up. For anyone visiting Ordu for the first time, Boztepe is the best starting point for understanding the city. Looking down from the hill, you can easily locate the places you will visit later. Taking the gondola back down and continuing along the seafront promenade is a practical way to carry on with the day in the city centre.
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3
Hoynat Adası

Hoynat Island.

~45 min here
Ramazan, Hoynat Tüneli yanı, Perşembe / Ordu

Coming down from Boztepe and continuing west along the coast road, you reach Perşembe and then Hoynat Islet, within the boundaries of Ramazan. The islet is easy to find, because the tunnel right opposite it on the coastal road between Perşembe and Fatsa also bears its name and is known as the Hoynat Tunnel. Leave your car in a suitable spot at the viewing area laid out by the municipality and walk to the terraces. The islet lies about 100 metres off the shore and, according to the sources, covers an area of only about 700 square metres. Landing on the islet is forbidden; the municipality has protected it as a habitat completely separated from people so that the birds are not disturbed. So the real business of this stop is watching and listening. Use the observation binoculars installed on the terrace, and if you have your own pair with you, take that out too. First look at the dark, long-necked birds on top of the rocks; these are European shags. The European shag has very few breeding sites in Turkey; the provincial directorate presents Hoynat as the only one, while the press describes it as one of two. According to counts reported in the press, about 90 pairs of European shags and about 250 pairs of herring gulls live on the islet. On top of the vegetated hill there are also traces of walls that you can make out after a while. The provincial directorate states that there are remains of a historic fortress and a cistern on the islet, and that it was therefore registered as a second-degree archaeological site in 2004. The sources suppose that in ancient times the islet was a place sailors used as a store and a shelter. Throughout its history, however, the islet is known never to have had a permanent settlement. Because it shelters endangered species, Hoynat has also been designated an Important Bird Area. The arrangement on the shore includes wooden steps leading down to the beach and seating areas next to the viewing terrace. If you go down to the beach and stand at the water's edge, you will see the islet and the birds from a lower angle. While watching the birds do not talk loudly, do not throw food to them, and avoid flash photography that turns light into the birds' eyes. A long lens is very useful here for photography, because there is no other way to get close to the birds. The busiest time on the rocks is the breeding season; if you come to this stop then, you may see a livelier scene. Here it also comes to mind that Perşembe is a member of the slow city network; the gently flowing life of the coast suits the pace of this stop too. After a short break, continue west along the coast road; the last stop of the day is Cape Jason.

Source: Ordu İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü, Hoynat Adası; DHA, Hoynat Adası; Karar, Hoynat Adası.

Hoynat Island is a small, rocky islet rising from the sea within the boundaries of Ramazan village in the Perşembe district, right beside the Hoynat Tunnel on the coastal road. Wikipedia writes that the island lies about 100 metres off the shore and covers an area of some 700 square metres. The tunnel on the coastal road between Perşembe and Fatsa, level with the island, also takes its name from this little island. Because there are very few islands along Turkey's Black Sea coast, Hoynat immediately catches the eye of anyone looking out from the shore. The island has never been a place of permanent settlement. The Ordu Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism notes that sailors are thought to have used the island as a store and shelter in ancient times. There are remains of a castle and a cistern on the island, and Wikipedia reports that traces of walls suggest it was once surrounded by a fortification. Because of these remains, the Samsun Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage registered the island as a second degree archaeological site in 2004. If you look carefully from the shore, you can make out fragments of stone walls built between the rocks. What makes Hoynat famous today is its birds. The Provincial Directorate describes the island as a bird paradise where gulls and cormorants live. The island is a breeding site of the European shag; the Provincial Directorate calls it the only place in Turkey where this species nests, while press reports present it as one of two breeding sites. Since the sources differ on this point, it is safest to know the island as one of the very few breeding places of the species in the country. According to a count reported by the Demirören News Agency, about 90 pairs of European shags and 250 pairs of herring gulls live on the island. The European shag is a bird worth watching from the shore for a while. According to Wikipedia, it measures between 68 and 78 centimetres, with a fairly long tail and a yellow patch at the throat. In the breeding season a small crest appears on the heads of the adults and their black feathers take on a metallic green sheen. The species is one of the deepest divers among the cormorants and has been observed diving down to 61 metres. It builds its nests on rocky ledges and in crevices; Wikipedia writes that the nesting season begins at the end of February and can stretch into May. Landing on the island is forbidden in order to protect the birds. The island has been designated an Important Bird Area because it hosts endangered species, and it has been left as a habitat for the birds. The Mayor of Perşembe told Milliyet that the birds are startled by people and can attack when disturbed in the breeding season. For this reason you should not make noise or sound your horn at the roadside opposite the island. It also matters for the birds that swimmers off the beach do not head out towards the island. The way to watch Hoynat is from the viewing terrace on the opposite shore. The Ordu Metropolitan Municipality has placed a viewing terrace, wooden steps down to the beach, seating areas, railings and observation binoculars opposite the island. When you reach the terrace, first look at the whole island with the naked eye, then use the binoculars to search one by one the white streaked areas on the rocky summit and the birds in the crevices. Bird activity is more noticeable early in the morning, and the light then falls on the eastern face of the island. If you bring your own binoculars, you can watch comfortably even at busy times. Since the island lies right beside the coastal road, it is easy to reach. Simply follow the coastal road from central Ordu or from Perşembe towards Fatsa, and stop beside the viewing terrace as you approach the Hoynat Tunnel. Those who wish to use public transport should get current information in the district about the routes running along the coast. On windy days, when the sea rises, the waves crashing against the rocks of the island offer a different sight. If you continue west from here, a short drive brings you to Yason Burnu.
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4
Yason Burnu

Cape Jason.

~1 h 30 min here
Çaytepe, Perşembe / Ordu

The last stop of the day is Cape Jason, which reaches into the sea within the boundaries of Çaytepe, about 15 kilometres west of the centre of Perşembe. The peninsula lies on the old Ordu-Samsun road and became easy to reach after the Bolaman-Efirli coastal road, completed in 2008, was opened. The municipality has built walking paths, a car park and an information kiosk on the site while respecting its historic and natural fabric. Leave your car in the car park and walk along the paths towards the tip of the cape. The cape takes its name from Jason of Greek mythology; according to the stories, the Argonauts also called at this shore while searching for the Golden Fleece. Ancient sources record that a temple of Jason protecting sailors stood here, and the geographer Scylax mentions an acropolis. Looking at the shore with this legend in mind, it is not hard to imagine small ships making their way against the currents offshore. Today the peninsula is protected as a first-degree archaeological and second-degree natural protected site. Walk to the rocky tip of the cape and look for the point where the sea is visible on both sides at once. The sources state that a lighthouse stands at the tip of the cape; try to fit the lighthouse and the rocks in front of it into the same frame. There is also a historic building from the 19th century on the peninsula, but the real subject of this stop is the cape itself and its view. The sources report that the area was a centre of maritime trade in antiquity, and that surface surveys and clay beds show pottery was made and traded here. Watch for traces of old harbours and fish pools cut into the rock along the shore; the sources write that these can still be seen today. About 300 metres west of the cape there is a second, smaller promontory known as False Jason, Yalancı Yason. When you look west in clear weather, the silhouette of the Ünye headland can be made out. According to the provincial directorate, both sunrise and sunset can be watched here with the naked eye in the summer months. So time your visit for the evening hours and wait here for the moment the sun sinks into the sea. Choose a flat spot among the rocks to sit, but do not go down to the lowest rocks of the shore when the waves are strong. Large amounts of seashells collect along the shores of the peninsula; leave them where they are, because the area is protected. There are picnic areas and resting places on the peninsula and along the nearby shore. Because the cape can be crowded on summer evenings, arriving a little early for the car park makes things easier. After sunset, the drive back east along the coast road to the city centre by way of Perşembe is about 28 kilometres, according to the distance given by the provincial directorate. On the way back the dark sea on your right will show the same coast you looked at from Kurul in the morning, this time as a line in the night.

Source: Ordu İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü, Yason Burnu; Kültür Portalı, Yason Burnu Yarımadası; Wikipedia, Cape Jason.

Yason Burnu, Cape Jason, is a low and flat peninsula reaching into the Black Sea within the boundaries of Çaytepe, in the Perşembe district of Ordu. The Ordu Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism gives its distance as 15 kilometres from the centre of Perşembe and 28 kilometres from the provincial centre. The cape forms the eastern end of the wide bay on whose shore Fatsa and Bolaman stand. According to an article by Hasan Buyruk of Ordu University in the journal Akdeniz Sanat, its ancient name was Iasonia Akte. According to an assessment quoted by Buyruk, this stretch of coast is the largest cape on the Turkish shore east of Sinop. The promontory, about 14 kilometres long, pushes three separate points out into the sea. Çam Burnu lies to the east, Çapraz Burnu in the middle, and the point known today as Yason Burnu to the west. According to the article, Çam Burnu was known in antiquity as Genetes Akroterion. The peninsula is about 610 metres across at its widest and some 30 metres at its narrowest, and at the rocks of the tip the width drops to 20 metres. The name of the cape is tied to one of the best known voyage stories of Greek mythology. According to the legend, Jason and the crew of the Argo sailed to Colchis in the eastern Black Sea in search of the Golden Fleece. According to a tradition told in the region, the Argonauts called at this shore and the cape took its name from them. Buyruk also points out that the account of Apollonius of Rhodes does not clearly say that the sailors landed on this coast. In other words, the link between the name and the legend is strong, but the legend itself is not a historical document. The history of the cape in written sources, however, is genuinely old. Xenophon writes in the sixth book of the Anabasis that the Greeks sailing west from Kotyora saw the Cape of Jason during their voyage. Strabo of Amasya also describes in his Geography how, travelling along the coast from Amisos, today's Samsun, one first reaches one cape and then another called Iasonion. Evliya Çelebi, who travelled this coast in the seventeenth century, describes the cape as a sharp point reaching out into the sea. The English traveller William John Hamilton, who passed through the region in the nineteenth century, also wrote that he reached this cape after Hoynat Castle. Today the peninsula is protected for both its nature and its history. According to the ministry inventory, the area was registered as a natural and archaeological site in 1991 and in 2004 received the status of a first degree archaeological and second degree natural protected area. Buyruk notes that many building remains can be traced at foundation level on the flat ground of the cape and that these are still waiting to be researched. The English Wikipedia reports that traces of ancient harbours and fish breeding pools can still be seen along the shore. There is also a nineteenth century building on the peninsula, and at the tip of the cape stands a lighthouse that guides sailors. The real draw of Yason Burnu is its view. The Provincial Directorate stresses that in summer both sunrise and sunset can be watched from here with the naked eye. According to Wikipedia, in clear weather the cape towards Ünye can also be made out to the west. Because the shore is rocky, the line where the waves break makes an impressive sight on windy days. Wikipedia writes that large amounts of seashells are found along the shores and that the area is also popular for diving and water sports. This is a place explored on easy walks. The Ordu Metropolitan Municipality has laid out walking paths, a car park and an information point in the area without harming its historic and natural fabric. First walk out to the tip of the cape to see the coves on either side and the lighthouse, then come back along the shore and follow the rocky edge. Yalancı Yason, also called Sülü Burnu, about 300 metres west of the peninsula, has a clean shore according to Buyruk and offers a second viewpoint. The rocks are slippery when wet, so step carefully along the shore and do not walk on the remains in the protected area. Yason Burnu lies on the old Ordu to Samsun road and is reached by a short link that leaves the main road. According to Wikipedia, the peninsula became fully open to tourism once the coastal road between Bolaman and Efirli was completed in 2008. You can come by vehicle along the coastal road from central Ordu or from Perşembe; for public transport, get current route information in the district. Those who want to watch the sunset should come on a summer evening, while those who love morning light should arrive in time for sunrise. If you continue east, the coastal road brings you after a few kilometres to the viewing terrace opposite Hoynat Island.
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Route Map

Route Info
CityAltınordu, Ordu
TypeRoutes
Stop4
DateOctober 19, 2026
Radar TürkiyeAuthorRadar TürkiyeStart Route