Küre Mountains National Park ( Küre, Pınarbaşı, Azdavay, Şenpazar districts ):
Küre Mountains encompassing Kastamonu province from the north, are approximately 2000 m high and descend from the middle parts of the province up to the Black Sea shore at north. An important part of the Küre Mountains is within the scope of natural conservation areas and has been declared as National Park. This region is an important natural conservation area both in Turkey and in the world. It is declared by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as one of the 10 hot regions of Europe to be protected urgently. Considering flora and fauna it encompasses countless endemic species among which there are some under threat. Küre Mountains National Park has deserved to obtain the PAN Parks certificate in 2012, which symbolizes the distinguished protected areas in Europe.
Within the borders of the national park, it is only possible to perform nature tourism and nature sports in the parts being allowed to enter. The most important places to be visited within Küre Mountains area may be enlisted as follows:
Canyon carved by the Devrekâni rivulet provides precious opportunities for nature sports’ and adventure sports’ devotees. The depth of this canyon reaches up to 1200 m, and the canyon only allows the passage of professional sportspeople. The part of the canyon within the region of Azdavay is known as “Çatak Canyon” and as “Valla Canyon” at Pınarbaşı region. It is possible to reach to the “Ilgarini Cave” at Pınarbaşı district by hiking with an intermediate difficulty level. It is possible to see relics such as burial places, chapels etc. from the Byzantines era. Besides there are “Horma Canyon” and the “Ilıca Waterfalls” as a wonder of nature formed by the water sloping down from there to Pınarbaşı district. At this exquisite setting where you can reach by an easy hiking you may swim and have a picnic without camp fire.