Geben Valley
Turkey, Kahramanmaraş Province
About Geben Valley
Geben Valley (Geben Vadisi) is a national park in Kahramanmaraş Province, within the boundaries of the central Onikişubat district and the Göksun and Andırın districts. It covers about 200,000 dönüm, roughly 200 square kilometres, and was declared Türkiye's 50th national park[1].
Wildlife Ecosystems
Mammals recorded in the valley include bears, striped hyenas, lynx, wolves and wild goats, alongside rodents, reptiles and birds. The park is a breeding ground for the angut duck (angut ördeği) and is used by migratory birds[1].
Flora Ecosystems
The flora is rich and has a high share of endemic species, and the Anatolian diagonal, a botanical boundary zone, passes through the area. The forests include pure beech stands and old-growth black pine, cedar and fir[1].
Geology
The valley is noted for striking geological formations. Kayranlı Mountain rises within it, and a 272-metre cave lies in the Söğüt Plain[1].
Climate And Weather
Geben Valley lies in the Taurus foothills of Kahramanmaraş Province, where winters are cold at height and summers are warm and dry. The upland plateaus (yaylas) are the cooler parts of the park.
Human History
The valley holds Meryemçil Castle and rock tombs, lies on the historic Roman Akyol route and includes a Turkmen migration route. The 16th-century poet Karacaoğlan wrote poems describing the region[1].
Park History
Work towards protection began in 2019, when the area's features were documented. The national park was declared by a decision published in the Official Gazette on 30 May 2025 and signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan[1].
Major Trails And Attractions
Attractions include Kayranlı Mountain, the plateaus and rivers, the Söğüt Plain cave, Meryemçil Castle, the rock tombs and the Kırksu region. Visitors can hike, trek, camp and photograph nature[1].
Visitor Facilities And Travel
The row's nearest town is Andırın, about 30 km away. The park was declared only in 2025, and officials expect it to boost ecotourism and rural tourism in Kahramanmaraş[1].
Conservation And Sustainability
National park status protects the valley's old-growth forests, endemic plants and large mammals. The designation was intended to support ecotourism and rural tourism around the park[1].
Photos
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