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Description
Validebag Woods (or Validebağ Korusu), with an area of 354 acres, is one of the largest green areas on the Asian side of İstanbul. A green oasis, a park-like forest with thousands of trees. The area houses squirrels, tortoises, insects and many local and migrant birds. The park is easy to explore through the many trails. Among the birds you can see here are Pálmagerle, Halvány geze, Kis légykapó, Örvös légykapó, örvös papagáj, nagy sándorpapagáj, Kucsmás poszáta, sisegő füzike, Tövisszúró gébics, Havasi sarlósfecske, Kis fakopáncs and Balkáni fakopáncs. During migration it is also a good area to spot many raptors and storks.
WARNING FROM TEAM BIRDINGPLACES: We have received several reports from users warning about the stray dogs in this area. See also the comments at the bottom of this page. Some visitors to the area did not feel safe at all because of the stray dogs or decided to leave the area. We have not removed this area from Birdingplaces due to its ornitological value, but the question is whether it is currently wise to visit this area because of the stray dogs.
Details
Access
Catch the dolmus from Kadikoy that goes through Kosuyolu, Validebağ and Capitol. Get off at the Validebağ entry gate. It’s open every day from 9am to 5pm. Follow the road off the carpark and you’ll discover ten hectares of forest, full of easy to follow trails. Even though you do come across other people, even on busy weekends it feels just like you’ve walked off the streets of Istanbul and straight into the countryside.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushesConditions
Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migration , SpringRoute
Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide path , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Approximately two hundred years ago Mihrişah Valide Sultan, the mother of Sultan Selim III, wanted to build a summer house on land in Çamlica. After her death the land transferred to Sultan Abdülmecid who gave it to his mother Bezmialem Valide Sultan, as a gift. She decided to create a botanic garden and had plants brought to it from Turkey and around the world. The grove contains various types of cedar tree including Atlas and Himalayan, as well as coastal pines, laurel, elm, oak and fruit trees.