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Hoçaş Fossil Forest

Nature / Natural monument

Hoçaş Fossil Forest

Seben, Bolu

CommonMachine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.

A 1st-degree natural protected site declared Türkiye's first fossil forest, with its trees petrified while standing upright.

Safety warning

Breaking, taking or climbing on the fossils is prohibited; it is a protected area.

Its story

The area, also known as the Seben Fossil Research Forest, is about 500 m from the village of Hoçaş, at an altitude of around 900 m. It was registered as a 1st-degree natural protected site in 2005 and declared Türkiye's first fossil forest in 2013. In the area, said to be about 18–19 million years old, many fossilized trees have been identified, 51 of them standing upright; besides fossils of palm, poplar, willow, cedar, pine, plane and oak, there are also leaf and fish fossils. The trunks exposed by erosion make the area interesting for geology enthusiasts. In 2021 the area was declared a sensitive area to be strictly protected.

Key facts

Age
about 18–19 million years
Altitude
about 900 m
Protection
1st-degree natural protected site (2005)
Getting there
Southeast of Seben, village of Hoçaş

Trip purpose

  • Free
  • Photography
  • Quiet
  • Day trip
  • Traveling with kids

Location

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40.34120, 31.65990

Reviews

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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%C3%A7a%C5%9F_Fosil_Orman%C4%B1 | https://www.ntv.com.tr/seyahat/galeri-sebenin-gorulmesi-gereken-3-guzelligi-kesin-korunacak-hassas-alan-ilan-edildi,z76tArvcu0KZvjk2zkf2yQ | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105319801