İnaltı Cave

Inaltı Cave is a natural formation located within the boundaries of İnaltı Village, in the Ayancık district of Sinop Province, in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region. Situated at an elevation of 1,070 meters above sea level, the cave is a notable underground feature attracting both domestic and international tourists due to its geomorphological structure and natural elements.

Location and Access

Inaltı Cave is approximately 36–40 kilometers from the Ayancık district center and about 400–450 meters from İnaltı Village. Vehicle access is possible up to 50 meters below the cave entrance. The remaining distance is traversed on foot via a stabilized path and staircases. It is 94 kilometers from Sinop city center, 350 kilometers from Ankara, and 620 kilometers from Istanbul.

Physical and Geological Features

The cave extends in an “S” shape from east to west with a total length of 658 meters. The entrance hall measures 125 meters in length, 10–12 meters in width, and 15 meters in height. This section is the widest and driest part of the cave. As one progresses deeper, the cave narrows and features stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies, and wall dripstone formations along with dripstone pools. Additionally, unique dripstone formations resembling cauliflower and popped corn attract attention.

The cave’s floor developed horizontally within the Malt-Alt Kereatse formation, which has karstic characteristics and overlies a Dogger-aged granite basement. The geological structure of the cave holds scientific importance in terms of karst systems and speleothem formation.

Inaltı Cave (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Opening to Tourism and Development Process

First proposed for tourism development by the Ayancık Municipality in 1995, the cave was studied in 1996 by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA). As a result of this assessment, the first 300 meters of the cave were illuminated and opened to tourism, while only the first 125 meters of the remaining 358 meters were deemed suitable for tourism use.

However, during the initial development, non-compliance with the project plan led to the installation of unplanned reinforced concrete walkways, haphazard electrical wiring, and inappropriate lighting fixtures, causing significant damage to the cave’s natural structure. In 2012, following a re-evaluation by MTA, it was decided to install baked oak platforms conforming to the architectural design over the existing infrastructure and to reroute the electrical lines beneath the platforms.

Protection Status

Inaltı Cave and its surrounding area were officially registered as Inaltı Nature Park on 3 August 2020. The nature park covers an area of 22.8 hectares. Under Law No. 2873 on National Parks, the cave became Türkiye’s 249th nature park. This status aims to ensure the sustainable conservation of the cave and promote planned tourism activities that contribute to local development.

Touristic Value and Use

Inaltı Cave is a destination notable for its natural formations and unique atmosphere. Visitors are served by a rural café and resting area located near the cave entrance. The region is also well-suited for nature hiking (trekking), cycling tours, and birdwatching.

Inaltı Cave Scenic Viewpoint (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye)

Ecosystem and Biodiversity

The area surrounding the cave is covered by rich forest vegetation. Broadleaf forests and maquis dominate the coastal zones, while coniferous species such as pine, beech, fir, oak, and linden become predominant in the interior areas. The fauna includes numerous wild animals such as brown bear, rock partridge, squirrel, roe deer, wolf, wild boar, and hare.