Waterfalls and Highland Roads in the Kaz Mountains

In antiquity it was called Mount Ida, and myth has the gods watching the Trojan war from here. Today it is a national park, known for its high oxygen levels, and its endemic plant diversity is among the richest in Turkey. What sets the region apart is that sea and forest lie half an hour apart.

Getting there: a hundred kilometres from Balıkesir via Edremit, with regular buses from İzmir and Çanakkale. The park is entered from the Zeytinli and Altınoluk sides; driving inside is possible but the trails are walked.

The day: spend the morning around the Sutüven waterfall, close to the entrance with easy walking and suitable for families. Move on to Hasanboğuldu, where picnic areas are laid out around a pool and waterfall named after a folk tale. In the afternoon take the highland road; villages such as Tahtakuşlar and Yeşilyurt have stone houses and ethnography museums. Reaching the summit requires a permit and a full day, so it needs separate planning; the lower trails are open and marked.

Eating: the highland villages serve gözleme, tarhana soup and slow roasted lamb. The region's olive oil and wild thyme are well known and can be bought at the village markets.

Tips: park entry is charged and the gate closes in the evening, so watch the time. Spring flowering is the loveliest but water levels can be high. Footwear matters, as the paths are stony.