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6 places to visit in the Ilgaz district of Çankırı: Ilgaz Mountains, Devrez Stream and Köroğlu Mountains. Plan your trip to Ilgaz with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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History

Ilgaz was incorporated into Turkish territory under the command of Emir Karatekin. After the fall of the Anatolian Seljuk State, the area was controlled for a long time by the Candaroğulları Principality.

Geography

The Ilgaz district is bordered by Yapraklı and Korgun to the south, Kurşunlu and Bayramören to the west, and the Kastamonu districts of Tosya and İhsangazi to the east. The Ilgaz Mountains stretch to the north-east of the district and reach 2,546 metres at Hacet Hill. The average elevation of the Ilgaz district above sea level is 931 metres. The Devrez Stream, which flows through the district from east to west, is fed by streams descending from the north and south; the most important of these are the Gökçay and Bozan streams.

Climate

Average annual temperature is 8-10°C, and annual rainfall is 400-500 mm. The district’s natural vegetation consists of Scots pine, fir and black pine forests.

Economy

The economy of the district is based on agriculture and livestock farming.

History and Culture

In the Ottoman period Ilgaz was a nahiye centre attached to the sanjak of Çankırı, and it became a district by a Council of Ministers decision dated 23 October 1920. In 1082 Emir Karatekin took over the region and attached it to the Danishmendid Principality. After the fall of the Anatolian Seljuk State, the region was controlled for a long time by the Candaroğulları Principality. In the War of Independence, the manpower, weapons and materials needed in Ankara were transported along the İnebolu-Ilgaz-Çankırı route.

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Places to Visit in Ilgaz

Nature

Ilgaz Mountains

A mountain range stretching to the north-east of the district; it reaches 2,546 metres at Hacet Hill.

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Nature

Devrez Stream

A river flowing through the district from east to west, fed by streams descending from the north and south.

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Nature

Köroğlu Mountains

A mountain range of around 1,500 metres stretching along the Devrez Stream valley.

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Nature

Kırkpınar Plateau and Lake

The Kırkpınar Plateau, within the boundaries of Ilgaz district, is at an altitude of 1,650 metres.

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Nature

Kadınçayırı Nature Park

The Kadınçayırı Nature Park, located at Saraycık/Ilgaz, is reached via the road through Cömert village.

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Nature

Devrez Valley

The Devrez Valley is an important pass preferred for connecting east and west.

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Places to Visit Around Çankırı Province

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While you are in Ilgaz, you can also see the highlights of Çankırı province. These places are in other districts; Ilgaz is about 40 km from the provincial centre.

  • Çankırı Salt Cave — Galleries 6–8 metres high and 8 km long in total, cut into a rock-salt deposit thought to have been worked since the Hittites, in the village of Balıbağı about 20 km from the city centre; it is one of the largest salt reserves in Türkiye.
  • Taş Mescit (Cemaleddin Ferruh Hospital) — A hospital (darüşşifa) built in 1235 by the atabey Cemaleddin Ferruh in the reign of Alâeddin Keykubad I. The relief of two intertwined dragons on its façade is used today as the symbol of medicine, and the figure of a snake coiled round a cup as the symbol of pharmacy.
  • Sultan Süleyman (Grand) Mosque — A mosque of the age of Mimar Sinan, built by Sadık Kalfa on the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, begun in 1522 and completed in 1558. Covered by one large dome and four half-domes, and with a stone minbar, it is the largest mosque in the city.
  • Çankırı Castle and Karatekin Tomb — The remains of a castle used from the Roman to the Ottoman period, on the hill north of the city; inside are a Roman-period rock tomb and the tomb of Emir Karatekin Bey, the conqueror of Çankırı.
  • Çankırı Museum — A museum that has been housed since 2017 in the Old Government Building of 1905; finds from across the province are displayed in its archaeology, ethnography and palaeontology halls.
  • Ilgaz Mountain National Park — A national park established in 1976 on the border of Çankırı and Kastamonu; its highest point is Büyük Hacet Hill at 2,587 metres.

Practical Information for Visiting Ilgaz

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Winter (skiing) and summer (nature)
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in Ilgaz

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  • Ilgaz Mantısı (dumplings)

    Small pieces of dough are filled with minced meat, boiled, and served with a yoghurt and garlic sauce. Ilgaz mantısı is known for its thin dough and generous filling.

  • Banduma (bread soaked in broth)

    Stale bread soaked in meat broth and butter. It is one of the traditional flavours of the Çankırı region. Passed down from generation to generation, the recipe varies slightly in every family.

  • Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)

    Prepared by cooking cracked wheat and meat for a long time and then pounding them together. It is an indispensable dish at weddings and festive meals. Keşkek, an essential part of wedding feasts, is prepared in a communal spirit.

  • Ilgaz Sarı Kılçık Rice

    This dish is included in the list of Ilgaz regional flavours.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Ilgaz

  • Winter Sports Culture

    Ilgaz Mountain is home to one of Türkiye's oldest ski resorts. Winter sports culture forms the foundation of the district's tourism identity.

  • Plateau Culture

    Livestock farming and plateau life, carried on in the summer months on the plateaus at the foot of Ilgaz Mountain, are part of the region's traditional culture.

Local Products

  • Ilgaz Keşkek (Ilgaz Keşkeği) — Ilgaz Keşkeği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 1 June 2026 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1864). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Ilgaz District Village Services Union.
  • Ilgaz Sarıkılçık Rice (Ilgaz Sarıkılçık Pirinci) — Ilgaz Sarıkılçık Rice was registered as a protected designation of origin on 24 June 2026 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1874). Product group: other products. Registered by: Ilgaz Municipality, Limited Liability Ilgaz and Surrounding Villages Agricultural Development Cooperative.

Economy

The economy of Ilgaz is based on tourism, forestry and livestock farming. Winter tourism is the district's most important source of income; the ski resorts host thousands of visitors throughout the season. Forestry and beekeeping are traditional livelihoods. Small livestock farming is widespread.

How to Get to Ilgaz

Ilgaz lies 40 km from Çankırı city centre. It is on the Ankara-Kastamonu highway. There are regular minibus services from Çankırı and Kastamonu.

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Ilgaz: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Ilgaz?

The top 6 places in Ilgaz are: Ilgaz Mountains, Devrez Stream, Köroğlu Mountains, Kırkpınar Plateau and Lake, Kadınçayırı Nature Park and Devrez Valley.

What is there to eat in Ilgaz?

Ilgaz Mantısı (dumplings), Banduma (bread soaked in broth) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) are the standout dishes on Ilgaz's tables.

What is Ilgaz famous for?

Ilgaz is known for Ilgaz Keşkek and its Winter Sports Culture. It is a protected geographical indication product registered with TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Ilgaz?

Ilgaz lies 40 km from Çankırı city centre. It is on the Ankara-Kastamonu highway. There are regular minibus services from Çankırı and Kastamonu.

How long should I spend on a trip to Ilgaz?

Suggested length of visit: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: winter (skiing) and summer (nature).

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