Recreation Areas

The surroundings of the Büyük and Küçük Melen rivers, which originate from the foothills of Baba Mountain, pass through Yığılca, flow into Hasanlar Dam, and from there into Lake Efteni, and Büyük Melen, which extends from the lake to the Black Sea, are used as a recreation area for the local people with their natural beauties.

On the other hand, Dokuz Değirmen Village in Cumayeri, through which Büyük Melen passes, has started to attract great attention in recent years with its areas suitable for rafting.

Şahin Hill (Toptepe Location)

Şahin Hill is located in the south of Düzce, approximately 15 km away from Düzce. The hill with an altitude of 390-430 meters is called “Şahin Hill” among the public.

From the hill located in Toptepe Location, Düzce, Efteni Lake, Gölyaka, in short, Düzce Plain can be seen from a bird’s eye view.

The hill, which is located in a picnic and casino facility belonging to the Regional Directorate of Forestry, is covered with forests and hazelnut fields.

In this region on the Güzeldere Waterfall road, there are characteristic plant species such as Arbutus, Akçakesme, Broombush, Heather, Cranberry, Boxwood, Blackberry, Tar Juniper, Stem Oak, Wild Cherry, Wild Plum, Forest Willow, Scots Pine, Black Pine, Chestnut, Linden, Cyclamen, Purebred, Primrose, Kaldirik, Labdanum.

waterfalls

Güzeldere Waterfall is located in Gölyaka Güzeldere Village, within the borders of Düzce’s Gölyaka district, 28 km from Düzce and 16 km from Gölyaka, and its altitude is 630 meters. Güzeldere Waterfall, located on the Bıçkı Stream passing through Güzeldere Village, is 135 m. It is at a height and has a privileged position in the region in terms of aesthetics.

Güzeldere Waterfall has been registered as a “Forest Recreation Area” by the Ministry of Forestry, General Directorate of National Parks and Game-Wildlife Conservation. This waterfall and its surroundings, extending to Elmacık Mountain (1700 m), also attract attention with its forest structure.

In the area where the waterfall is located, Beech, Hornbeam, Fir, Yew, Scots Pine, Black Pine, Chestnut, Linden, Maple, Ash, Walnut, Forest Poplar, Forest Willow, Forest Rose, Black Nut, and Priest’s Cone trees; Plants such as Blackberry, Rowan, Hawthorn, Taflan, St. John’s Wort, Snowdrop, Arabian Hyacinth, Cyclamen, Violet, Wedding, Fern, Vetch and Vetch are also seen.

This region is also rich in terms of wildlife. Animals such as Brown Bear, Wolf, Fox, Jackal, Lynx, Roe Deer, Deer, Wild Boar, Marten, Blackbird and Woodpecker can also be seen in this region.

Samandere Waterfall (Natural Monument)

In the southeast of Düzce, 26 km from the city center. Samandere Waterfall is located within the borders of Samandere Village.

Samandere Waterfall, which gave its name to the village where it is located and formed with the features created by natural events, has been registered as a “Natural Monument” by the Ministry of Forestry, in accordance with the National Park Law, with its natural formation features. Along the 500-meter stream, where Samandere Waterfall is located, there are monumental trees, 3 waterfalls and a deep section called Witch Cauldron.

In Samandere Waterfall, the water flowing violently through the big trees pours out in white foam and boils in the “Witch’s Cauldron”, among the deep rocks. The water, which disappears for a while in the naturally formed cave in the rock behind the waterfall, reappears a little later and continues its flow.

Samandere Waterfall has beauties worth seeing, with its rocks shaped by the violent flow of the water, which gives you instant relief and chills.

Aktaş and Sarıyayla Waterfalls

The surroundings of the waterfalls located within the borders of Aktaş and Sarıyayla Villages of Akçakoca district offer ideal environments for picnics and hiking.

lakes

Efteni Lake Bird Sanctuary, Efteni Lake is at an altitude of 100 meters and is located within the borders of Düzce and Gölyaka. 14 km from Düzce. It is a freshwater lake formed by the Asar, Uğur, Küçük Melen waters and side streams at the foot of the Elmacık Mountain range in the southwest. Its main outlet is the Büyük Melen river.

Efteni Lake is one of the important and rare centers on the migration route of migratory birds. The lake was given “protection” status by the Ministry of Forestry, General Directorate of National Parlak Hunting and Wildlife Protection in 1992. Hunting is prohibited in Efteni Lake. Water resources are being given back to Efteni Lake, which has been in danger of drying out recently. However, the lake still could not regain its former bed.

The reason for this is the intensive drying work carried out in the past years to open agricultural land.

In the lake, which is home to approximately 150 types of water birds, Swan, Cormorant, Flamingo, Water Hen, Gray Goose, Mallard Duck, Clumsy Meke, Tern, Lapwing, Sandpiper, Fish Eagle, Heron, Snake-necked, Ruddy Sheep, are the first striking bird species.

In order to transfer both temporary and permanent bird presence on the lake and its surroundings to future generations, 580 hectares of it was established and taken under protection by the Ministry of Forestry as the “Düzce Efteni Lake Waterfowl Protection and Breeding Area”. Around Efteni Lake, there are Bird Watching Terraces to watch the lake and a promotion center where visitors can get information.

Efteni Lake hosts rare plant species as well as bird species. In the lake; Around the edges are water lily, iris, buttercup, reed, mint and duckweed plants; Trees with aquatic characteristics such as willow, ash, alder and plane tree are the first plants that catch the eye.

Efteni Lake, Turkey’s 2nd Bird Sanctuary, is a natural habitat area for birds and plants.

Kurugöl (Pheasant Breeding Area)

3.5 km from Düzce’s Üçköprü Village. Kurugöl and its surroundings, located at a distance, have been designated as a pheasant breeding and settling area by the Ministry of Forestry. For this purpose, pheasants were released into the region. A hunting ban is implemented in the region to ensure the proliferation of endangered pheasants in their natural environment.

The lake, which used to give its name to the region, was revived by collecting the surrounding water resources.

Kurugöl, located at an altitude overlooking Düzce and Kaynaşlı, is home to newly grown pine, fir, etc. It has a beautiful view in the forest area consisting of trees. Kurugöl is considered as a day trip and picnic area.

Hasanlar Dam Lake

Hasanlar Dam Lake is located on the transportation road of Yığılca district and is used for irrigation and energy production. The lake surroundings are ideal for picnics. The lake, where angling is available, made a name for itself with the “Sailing Festival”, which was held for the first time last year and is planned to become a tradition.

caves

Fakıllı Cave is 8 km away from Akçakoca district of Düzce. It is located in Fakıllı Village in the southeast. The cave is accessed through a 1 meter high and 15 meter long gallery. Inside the cave, which still preserves its natural character, there are galleries leading in various directions, interesting stalactites and stalagmites.

hot springs

Derdin (Dolay) Thermal Spring, 17 km south of Düzce, at an altitude of 400 meters and surrounded by forest area, provides healing to its surroundings. The water in the spa is clear, colorless and odorless. The temperature of water at a flow rate of 2 lt/s is 42 degrees. Derdin Thermal Spring is very healing especially for stomach, intestine, gallbladder, liver, kidney, diabetes and also skin diseases. There is also a small hotel with 15 rooms for accommodation in Derdin Thermal Spring.

Efteni Thermal Spring

Efteni Thermal Spring is on the Düzce-Gölyaka western road, 18 km west of Düzce, on the edge of Efteni Lake. There are accommodation houses and guesthouses in Efteni Thermal Spring, which has three pools at different temperatures. The flow rate of the water in the spa is 2lt/s and the temperature is 42 degrees. Efteni Thermal Spring is curative for many diseases, especially rheumatic diseases.

Holiday Destinations

Akçakoca, a charming town located in the north of Düzce and on the Black Sea coast, is a holiday and tourism paradise. This district, which attracts attention with its natural structure on the Black Sea coast, is a frequent destination for many tourists and especially those living in the surrounding districts during the summer months. Its sparkling sea and fine, black sand, unique only to Akçakoca, are truly praiseworthy.

Many quality hotels, hostels, camping and restaurants serve tourism in this coastal city.

Akçakoca: Genoese Castle and Beach

2.5 km from Akçakoca. It is located between two bays with a unique beach in the east and west of the historical castle at the foot of the hazelnut gardens and forest in the west. The walls of the castle were built using rubble stones and tiles. The castle has semi-circular projections and a high tower on the land side. The castle was built by the Genoese and was used by the Genoese, Byzantine and Ottomans.

There is also a cistern measuring 5.30 meters in the castle courtyard.

There is a picnic area and beach within the castle, operated by Akçakoca Municipality. Kale, the leading recreation and entertainment place of Akçakoca and its surroundings, is filled with people in the summer months. Melenağzı Village and Beach

Fishing is very important in this Melenağzı Village, located 13 km west of Akçakoca. Melen Stream, which passes through the village and flows into the Black Sea, looks like a natural harbor where fishing boats are sheltered. It is possible to tour by boat along the river. There are wide beaches, countryside cafes, casinos and camping areas along the coast.

Karaburun Village and Beach

10 km from Akçakoca district. away. Karaburun Beach, where green and blue intertwine, is one of the most prominent places of rest and entertainment in the summer months with its natural sandy beach, cute houses and hostels, countryside cafes, restaurants and casinos.

Edilli Mouth Beach

In this area where the forest and the sea virtually embrace, wide and natural beaches are an ideal environment, especially for those looking for a quiet place.

Çayağzı Kumpınar and Akkaya Village

In this region, which is very popular for its wide natural beaches that start 7 km east of Akçakoca center on the Karadeniz Ereğli road and stretch along the coast, fishing can be done in the streams flowing among the forests. The region, which has picnic and walking areas in the forest, is also suitable for bird hunting.