Forest Road Should Be Opened to Mountaineers

Turkey's gateway to nature, the Nature Activities & Adventure Sports Page , is Turkey's most up-to-date and comprehensive information source for anyone interested in nature sports. 🏕️⛰️ It's a comprehensive platform offering nature enthusiasts across Turkey the most up-to-date events and guides, from camping sites and hiking routes to mountaineering and extreme sports.

The page, which keeps its finger on the pulse of the outdoor world with its powerful communication network that brings together nature lovers, also offers an indispensable resource for those exploring Türkiye with its province-specific travel guides. The platform aims to raise environmental awareness and prioritizes sustainability and respect for biodiversity while engaging in outdoor activities. 🌿

Hiking, climbing, and mountaineering, Turkey's gateway to nature , are becoming a lifestyle increasingly sought after by more and more people for both spiritual and physical well-being. However, a problem that arises every summer poses a serious obstacle to the development of this sport: forest access restrictions .

As is the case every year, this summer, due to high temperatures and increased fire risk, entry to forests has been banned in many provinces across Turkey. These decisions, taken to protect our forests and prevent fires, are certainly appropriate . However, there's a point often overlooked, and the solution is actually quite simple: These bans also apply to official mountaineering clubs and licensed athletes .

Clubs affiliated with the Turkish Mountaineering Federation and mountaineers with federation licenses are among the groups with the highest environmental awareness, having been in touch with nature for years.

Like forest rangers and national park personnel, licensed athletes carry out activities in nature with official government-issued IDs . The only difference is that they don't hold a paid position. However, we know that: 🔸 Mountaineers don't harm nature, they protect it. 🔸 They play an active role in extinguishing forest fires as volunteers.

🔸 He has been receiving regular training for years and is well-equipped in environmental ethics.

A welcome example on this matter came from Izmir. Hikes conducted as part of the Efeler Road Project were exempted from the forest ban by a decision of the Izmir Governor's Office. This example offers a roadmap applicable to other provinces.

Turkish Mountaineering Federation officials can collaborate with provincial governors to ensure that the activities of licensed athletes and official clubs are exempt from these bans . This will both protect nature and ensure the sustainability of the sport is not compromised.

Confining a licensed mountain climber to 4-meter artificial walls is a failure to understand this sport. Extreme sports are practiced in nature, not in gyms. As long as these restrictions persist, athletes' development will stall and clubs' activity plans will be disrupted.

• The Turkish Mountaineering Federation should work in coordination with governorships.
• A special permit system should be created for officially licensed athletes.
• Clubs with a high awareness of nature conservation should be able to continue conscious and controlled activities in the forest.

We're sending this call to all mountaineering clubs, licensed athletes, and federation officials across Turkey. What do you think? Let's meet in the comments and make our voices heard together!

👉 Forest Entry Bans and Things to Consider 👉 Entry to Forests and National Parks Banned in 48 Provinces 👉 2025 Forest Bans and Detailed Information

To get detailed information about camping and caravanning 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 sound practical training and personal experience.
• Especially in extreme outdoor sports, you are primarily responsible for your own personal safety. Always prioritize your personal safety and the harmony and safety of your team.
• In all cases, be on the side of nature , keep the environment clean, and never harm wild animals or the nature where wildlife thrives.
• While exploring natural and historical wonders, you should pay attention to a few important points to ensure a pleasant and safe holiday. Before your trip, thoroughly research the region you'll be visiting , check the weather forecast , and pack appropriate clothing. Never damage natural, historical, or tourist sites. Don't leave trash behind; return it to your destination in the same bags you brought it in, or dispose of it in a trash container.
• If you are planning a nature trip, camping or outdoor activities, be sure to pack all the necessary equipment .
• Entry restrictions to forests and some protected areas in Turkey are frequently enforced , and administrative fines are imposed on those who do not comply. You should verify current forest entry restrictions with the provincial Regional Forestry Directorates.
• Technically, all outdoor activities in nature require prior permission. Our advice to our readers, campers, hikers, and all outdoor sports participants is to at least contact law enforcement before embarking on any activity and inform them of the nature activity and routes they plan to undertake.
• Your opinions, thoughts, suggestions, and requests regarding the outdoors and nature are valuable to us. Feel free to write to us.

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