Introduction of Mersin Picnic Hills and Natural Features

Turkey's Nature Activities & Adventure Sports Page is Turkey's most up-to-date and comprehensive information source for anyone interested in nature sports. 🏕️⛰️

🌿 Our platform, which appeals to a wide audience from mountaineering clubs to campers, nature walkers to extreme sports enthusiasts, brings together events, guides and announcements about the outdoor world under one roof. Thanks to the strong communication network we have established with nature lovers all around Turkey, we keep our finger on the pulse of the outdoor community.

🗺️📍 We are not limited to just events! We also publish detailed travel guides of the provinces for nature lovers who want to explore every corner of Turkey.

🔥🚵‍♂️🌍 Our platform, where you can find the most up-to-date information about camping areas, hiking routes, areas suitable for nature sports and hidden corners of heaven, is an indispensable guide for everyone who loves to explore! If you are one of those who adopt a life intertwined with nature, follow our page and embark on the adventure with us!

🌿 TurkeyOutdoor aims to raise environmental awareness through nature sports. While doing sports in nature, it adopts the principles of protecting the environment, respecting biodiversity and sustainability.

Mersin Hills, one of the natural riches of Mersin, is a region with rare beauties waiting to be discovered. If you are interested in nature walks, enjoying the view and biodiversity, Mersin Hills is for you! 😊 In this article, we will examine the features of Mersin Hills, the unique natural life it offers and the protection efforts in an intriguing way. If you are ready, let's step into this natural paradise!

Mersin Hills is a fascinating area in the northwest of Mersin province, surrounded by deep valleys and high hills surrounding it. Important water sources such as Kızıldere, Mezitli and Sandal streams form the natural structure of this region. This area is located just north of the Bolkar Mountains and is one of the historical roads that nomads used to go to the plateaus. In other words, not only nature but also history is hidden in this area! 🏞️

Although the rapidly developing structure of Mersin has increased the construction in this region, Mersin Hills still offer the unique tranquility of nature. The region continues to be the center of attention of both local people and nature lovers.

The natural structure of the Mersin Hills has been shaped by the influence of the Mediterranean climate. Maquis communities and red pine forests at higher altitudes are the main vegetation of this area. At the same time, it has a rich biome diversity with mountain steppes, small amounts of agricultural land and riverside plant communities. The most common plants in this region include laurel, carob, olive and sandalwood trees.

As the altitude increases, maquis gives way to red pine forests, while deep canyons formed by streams are occasionally decorated with riverside vegetation. If you like nature photography, incredible shots await you in this region! 📸

This region is dazzling with its biodiversity. Mersin Hills is of great importance not only for its vegetation but also for the endemic species it hosts. Approximately 12 plant species specific to the region make Mersin Hills one of the most valuable natural areas in Turkey. For example, endemic plants such as Echinops mersinensis and Salvia quezelii are only found in this area.

In addition, rare bird species such as the jackrabbit (Hieraaetus fasciatus) and the European roller (Coracias garrulus) breed in the valleys of this region. The narrow-range Eirenis aurolineatus snake, native to the Mediterranean biome, also lives in this area. In other words, Mersin Hills is truly a paradise of nature!

Despite urbanization, Mersin Hills still has a great natural charm. People prefer this area especially in summer months as a cool place with sea view. Therefore, secondary housing construction has increased in the area.

In addition, agricultural activities such as greenhouse farming and lemon gardens have become widespread in the region in recent years. However, these activities can sometimes threaten natural life. For example, cutting down maquis areas and converting them into greenhouse gardens can damage the ecological balance of the region.

The biggest threat to the Mersin Hills is the rapidly increasing secondary housing construction. With the growth of Mersin province, construction in the area has also accelerated. In addition, quarries and intensive agricultural activities in the region make it difficult to protect nature.

For this reason, the protection of the Mersin Hills is of great importance. If you are planning to go hiking in this area, do not forget to be environmentally friendly!

There is currently no known protection work in Mersin Hills. However, local governments and environmental organizations need to make more efforts to protect this area. The protection of such natural areas is of great importance not only for nature lovers but for the whole society.

Local stakeholders for the protection of the Mersin Hills include institutions such as the Mersin Governorship, Mersin Provincial Directorate of Environment and Forestry, Erdemli District Governorship and Erdemli Municipality. However, more support is needed for the protection work to be done in this area.

In conclusion , Mersin Hills is like a treasure waiting to be discovered for nature lovers. If you want to see the unique beauties that nature has to offer and discover biodiversity, you should definitely add this region to your list. But remember, protecting nature is our duty! 🌿

Source: Nature Association

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA): Steps to Protect Nature 🌿: Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) is a concept used to define sensitive areas that need to be protected and where endangered or limited-distribution species live. These areas are critical for the continuity of biodiversity.

What is a KBA? KBAs are determined by the following criteria: Endangered species Narrow-range species Ecological integrity Uniqueness. KBA Studies in Turkey: 305 KBAs were determined in Turkey with the study published in 2006. A new program was launched in 2018 to update these areas.

Protecting Turkey's Nature is Everyone's Responsibility : As Turkey's Outdoor and Nature Sports Platform, we call on all our readers to be sensitive in protecting nature and natural life. Protecting important nature areas is of vital importance not only for the continuity of bird species but also for the entire ecosystem. Support nature projects to protect nature, participate in local area protection efforts, and adopt nature-friendly habits. Protecting our nature is the most valuable legacy to leave to the future! 🌳

For all our articles about Mersin, you can visit our Mersin Outdoor, Tourism and Travel Guide page.

You can click on the Mersin Places to Visit Map to see the places to visit in Mersin on the map and find out the distance to your location.

To get detailed information about camping and caravaning and to see all our articles, you can visit our TurkeyOutdoor Camping Guide page.

Safety Precautions in Nature Sports and Outdoor Activities

• In all outdoor activities and nature sports, safety is your primary responsibility. No article or video can replace proper practical training and personal experience.
• Especially in outdoor extreme sports, you are primarily responsible for your own personal safety. Always prioritize your personal safety and the harmony and safety of the team you are with.
• In all cases, be on the side of nature , keep the environment clean, and never harm wild animals or the nature where wildlife lives.
• While exploring natural and historical beauties, you should pay attention to some important points for your holiday to be enjoyable and safe. Before your trip, do detailed research about the region you will go to , check the weather conditions and take appropriate clothes with you. Never damage natural, historical and touristic places. Do not leave your garbage in the places you go, take your garbage back to where you came from in bags as you brought it or throw it in a garbage container.
• If you are planning a nature trip, camping or outdoor activity, be sure to pack all the necessary equipment .
• In Turkey, there are frequent bans on entering forests and some protected areas, and administrative fines are imposed on those who do not comply. You should verify current forest entry bans from the provincial Regional Forestry Directorates.
• Technically, all outdoor activities in nature require prior permission. Our advice to our readers, campers, nature walkers and those who participate in all outdoor sports is to at least call the law enforcement authorities before starting the activity and inform them about the nature activity and routes they will be doing.
• Your opinions, thoughts, suggestions and requests regarding outdoor and nature are valuable to us. Feel free to write to us.

We wish you a pleasant and safe nature/outdoor adventure! 🚴‍♀️⛺🌳🌲🚵‍♂️🏞️🌿🌄