İskilip Highlands (Yaylalar)

İskilip Highland October 2010

The İskilip Highlands are natural areas located in the mountainous part of the İskilip district to the north of Çorum, used by local people during the summer months for relaxation, cooling off, and day-trip excursions. Because the forested hills surrounding the district lie within the transition zone between the Black Sea and Central Anatolian climates, they have vegetation that is both well-watered and relatively cool. This geographical position is what has given the region’s highlands their dense forest cover and made them important recreation spots for the surrounding villages and the town center during the summer season.

Location

The İskilip Highland lies 13 km from the İskilip district, on the İskilip-Tosya highway. Easily accessible thanks to its proximity to the highway, the highland stands out as a recreation spot that locals visit on day trips. The İskilip Elmabeli Highland in this area is located near the villages of Karagöz and Susekisi. At roughly 1,200 meters above sea level, this highland is covered with forests made up of pine and oak trees.

Natural Environment

The needle-leaved pine and broad-leaved oak forests that surround the highlands are an attraction for visitors, both for their landscape value and for the cool, shaded environment they provide. As elevation increases the temperature drops, offering air that is more refreshing during the summer months than in the town center. For this reason the highlands, which were traditionally used for grazing livestock and temporary lodging, are today used mostly for picnicking and relaxation.

Visiting

Its proximity to the highway and short distance from the town center make the highlands well suited to day-trip visits, especially on weekends and during the summer months. Intertwined with the surrounding villages, these areas offer a simple option for nature walks and recreation. Visitors to İskilip can also see the district’s cultural and historical fabric on the same trip.

Among the other places to visit in and around İskilip are the İskilip Castle, the Hittite Bridge, and the İskilip Rock Tomb. For the general history of the district, see the article History of İskilip; for other highlands and recreation areas in Çorum, see the articles Laçin Recreation Area and Bayat Highland.

ℹ️ This article has been enriched with additional historical context and editing over the original archive content.