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THE PEARL OF EASTER BLACK SEA: ALTINDERE VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Ertan DÜZGÜNE޹, Zehra Duygu DÜZGÜNE޲

¹ Karadeniz Technical University, School of Forestry, Department of Landscape Architecture, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey, ertanduzgunes@gmail.com

² Central Fisheries Research Institute, 61250, Trabzon, Turkey, zehraduygu_83@hotmail.com

The Altındere Valley National Park which is located in the Maçka District of Trabzon Province in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, was registered as a national park in 1987 (Figure 1). The site has an area of 4468 hectares.

Figure 1. Altındere Valley National Park

The national park hosts an average of 600.000 domestic and foreign visitors annually, comes to the fore in the international arena with its natural and cultural resource values such as Sümela Monastery, flora and fauna, landscape areas, natural old forests, glacial valleys and geomorphological features (Figure 2.1 – 2.4). In this sense, Altındere Valley National Park is an exploration point for those who want to get away from the urban environment.

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.3

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.1 – 2.4. Some resource values of the national park

Most of the local and foreign visitors come to the national park for the Sumela Monastery (Figure 3.1 – 3.3).

Figure 3.1

Figure 3.2

Figure 3.3

Figure 3.1 – 3.3. Sumela Monastery

The paths used to reach the monastery offer various surprises to the visitors (Figure 4.1 – 4.2).

Figure 4.1

Figure 4.2

Figure 4.1 – 4.2. Roots of Picea orientalis

In the national park there are 339 genera, 535 species, 30 subspecies and 9 varieties of 102 families  (Anonim, 2014). Moreover, there are 10 endemic plant species and 5 non-endemic but endangered plant species (IUCN, 2001).  Picea orientalis is the dominant species of the national park (Figure 5.1 – 5.2.).

Figure 5.1

Figure 5.2

Figure 5.1 – 5.2. Picea orientalis

Due to the fact that the national park is located on one of the most important bird migration routes of the Western Palearctic, Nature Association and Bird Life International included it in the top 100 list of most important bird areas in Turkey. Within the boundaries of the park, the researchers have identified 58 mammals, 21 reptiles, 11 amphibians and 52 bird species (Anonymous, 2005). Alpine chamois, roe deer, deer, wild boar, bear, wolf, wild cat, jackal and fox are some of the wild life species found in the national park.

Altındere Valley National Park presents different scenes during the year. It is even possible for visitors to experience four seasons in just one day – one of the most impactful such changes is the discoloration which occurs in the autumn and visual landscape resulting during foggy times, which offer impressive landscapes for visitors. These events allow amateur and professional photographers to capture beautiful scenes (Figure 6.1 – 6.4.).

Figure 6.1

Figure 6.2

Figure 6.3

Figure 6.4

Figure 6.1 – 6.4. Some scenes of the national park

On the other hand, the winter season provides breathtaking landscape beauty to the visitors (Figure 7.1 – 7.2).

Figure 7.1

Figure 7.2

Figure 7.1. – 7.2. National park during winter

Altındere Valley National Park allows many recreational activities with its geomorphological structure, biodiversity and specific climatic conditions, such as climbing, tracking, paragliding, camping, nature observation, picnic, cultural and religious visiting (Figure 8.1 – 8.4).

Figure 8.1

Figure 8.2

Figure 8.3

Figure 8.4

Figure 8.1 – 8.4. Some recreational activities of the park

In the national park there are bungalows (Figure 9.1 – 9.2), a restaurant (Figure 10.1 – 10.2) and souvenir units (Figure 11.1 – 11.3) for visitors.

Figure 9.1

Figure 9.2

Figure 9.1 – 9.2. Bungalows

Figure 10.1

Figure 10.2

Figure 10.1 – 10.2. Restaurant

Figure 11.1

Figure 11.2

Figure 11.3

Figure 11.1 – 11.3. Souvenir units

If you want to escape from the chaos of the city, gain experience with different cultures, local food and unique nature, Altındere Valley National Park is waiting for you.