Ilgaz Mountaiıns, mountain range in Turkey
The Ilgaz Mountains are a long range in northwest Turkey stretching about 150 kilometers from west to east and running parallel to the Black Sea coast. The highest point, Büyükhacet Tepe, rises above 2,580 meters, while the northern slopes feature dense pine forests that shelter red deer, roe deer, wild boar, and occasionally brown bears and gray wolves.
The Greeks and Romans called the range Olgassys and viewed it as a high, hard-to-reach area dotted with temples built by local communities. The mountains served as a natural boundary between the ancient regions of Paphlagonia and Galatia and provided an important landmark for trade routes connecting different civilizations.
The mountains carry their ancient name Olgassys into the modern era, still used by locals today. Small villages in the range preserve traditional ways of life, and visitors can observe local crafts and taste homemade foods prepared by friendly residents.
Visitors can enjoy skiing and a chairlift in winter, while summer offers fishing and hiking opportunities throughout the range. Hotels near the ski area and marked trails with rest stops make exploration convenient, though drivers should be prepared for snow-covered roads during winter months.
A new insect species was discovered in the region in 2010 and named Merodon Ilgazense after the mountain. This demonstrates that the area remains interesting for scientific research and nature observation.
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