01.06.2026 21:31
In the Araç district of Kastamonu, the Cibiş Canyon, located between the villages of Saltuklu and Oycalı, has been initiated for protection and designation as a nature park or natural monument due to its historical remains and natural beauties. In the project carried out in collaboration with Kastamonu University and the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, it is aimed to bring the canyon to tourism.
The project, carried out in partnership with Kastamonu University and the Kastamonu Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, aims to have Kastamonu's canyons declared as national parks, nature parks, natural monuments, or protected areas.
HISTORICAL REMAINS ALSO DETECTED In this context, under the leadership of Kastamonu University Lecturer Hikmet Haberal, teams from the Kastamonu Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks conducted an inspection in the Cibiş (Saltuklu) Canyon between the villages of Saltuklu and Oycalı in the Araç district, and carried out efforts to have the canyon declared a natural monument.
Approximately 3 years ago, following extensive work in Saltuklu Canyon and the traversal of the canyon by expert teams, historical remains were also identified. In examinations aimed at uncovering the hidden beauties of Saltuklu Canyon, also called 'hidden paradise' and 'Cibiş Canyon' by local people, a route study was conducted by Kastamonu University Araç Rafet Vergili Vocational School Lecturer Hikmet Haberal in the canyon area.
Haberal recalled that they started work about 3 years ago to bring the area with historical remains to tourism and to protect it, noting that Kastamonu University, which specializes in Forestry and Nature Tourism, has begun efforts in this field and has taken initiatives to open Saltuklu Canyon to tourism.
"WE WANT TO HAVE THE CANYON DECLARED A NATURE PARK OR NATURAL MONUMENT AND OPEN IT TO TOURISM" Stating that Saltuklu Canyon lies between the villages of Oycalı and Saltuklu in the Araç district, Haberal said, "We traversed Saltuklu Canyon 3 years ago. There is a 3-kilometer canyon route here. From start to finish, we explored the canyon with my colleagues who know the canyon well. We want to open the canyon to tourism because there is a magnificent geography around it. We want to declare this area a protected area. In this context, we are conducting inspections with our colleagues from the Kastamonu Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks to have the area declared a nature park or natural monument. Our goal is to have the canyon declared a Nature Park or Natural Monument and open it to tourism."
"AROUND THE CANYON, THERE ARE HISTORICAL REMAINS AND SELJUK AND OTTOMAN GRAVES" Stating that Saltuklu Canyon could also serve as a training area for amateur canyoners to traverse Valla Canyon, Horma Canyon, or Çataklı Canyon, Haberal said, "Saltuklu Canyon is a canyon that can form the basis of Valla, Horma, and Çataklı canyons, almost like a training ground. Primarily, people who love canyon sports and traverse canyons should come here to train, and then move on to larger canyons."
Stating that there are historical remains around the canyon, Haberal said, "There are incredible ponds, waterfalls, and natural wonder visuals inside the canyon. There is also a castle ruin and a wall ruin inside. On the side of the canyon facing Oycalı, there are also Seljuk and Ottoman graves. We see that our historical and cultural resources from that period still continue. At the beginning of the canyon, at the entrance point, we saw 5 mills. These mills used to run on water. Later, only one remained active. Additionally, there are very nice areas at the exit of the canyon. There are places that could almost be picnic areas. If it becomes a nature park area, the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks will already create very nice social amenities."
"WE ARE REQUESTING A GLASS TERRACE OR A BRIDGE OVER THE CANYON CONNECTING THE TWO VILLAGES" Cevat Tüzün, the headman of Saltuklu Village in Araç, who stated that work is being carried out in Cibiş Canyon between the villages of Oycalı and Saltuklu, said, "We are also providing information to our colleagues. Our canyon has two rocky sides, one side belongs to Oycalı village, the other to Saltuklu village. We are requesting a glass terrace or a bridge over the canyon that connects these two villages. We ask for your help on this matter. There was a wooden bridge between Oycalı and Saltuklu villages, but it collapsed. We are currently requesting a bridge there to provide access. In the past, animals bought from the İğdir market were brought to Eflani. This route was used. There was commercial transport between the two villages. Now we are deprived of all of that. We have historical mills. Previously, there were no electric mills. We had water-powered mills. 20-30 villages would come here to grind their wheat with donkeys or horses. They would make their feed and flour there. Now those mills are also out of order due to disasters, the river swelling too much, and roads not working. The mill worksites are still open, but they are not operated."