Hatila Valley National Park

Did You Know?

• Large mammals in the park include grey wolf, lynx, leopard, brown bear, and wild goat.
• Birds of prey such as golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and long-legged buzzard can be seen here.

Park

Covering about 16900 hectares, Hatila Valley National Park features a narrow, steep-sided V-shaped valley carved by the Hatila River, a tributary of the Çoruh. Numerous waterfalls mark the landscape, which is shaped by volcanic rock with an unusual geology. The lower valley is dry and warm, while higher elevations are cool and humid with winter snow. Dense vegetation thrives, especially in the middle and lower sections.

Flora

Forests on the mountain slopes include both deciduous and evergreen species such as sessile oak, sweet chestnut, oriental hornbeam, common hornbeam, black alder, oriental beech, oriental spruce, Caucasian fir, and Scots pine. Higher slopes add common aspen, rhododendron, juniper, Vaccinium, willow, birch, and European raspberry. The valley has a long botanical season with different flowering periods by altitude. In spring, lower parts feature hellebores, magenta Cyclamen coum, blue Cappadocian navelwort, and pink Primula vulgaris subsp. sibthorpii. Higher up, Primula vulgaris flowers profusely, and at least five snowdrop species grow, including Galanthus koenenianus. Midsummer brings Armenian cranesbill, globe flower, lousewort, and terrestrial orchids in hay meadows and forest glades. Higher scrubland has buckthorn, birch, and rhododendron including Rhododendron luteum, with yellow lilies, Wittmann's paeony, and Aquilegia olympica. Moorland and alpine pastures host bulbous plants like stars of Bethlehem, Scilla siberica, and Scilla rosenii, along with primulas, gentians, mountain pansies, bellflowers, and betony. Autumn offers several crocus varieties and colchicum.