İnaltı Cave is a natural formation located within the borders of İnaltı Village, Ayancık district, Sinop province, in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye. The cave, located 1,070 meters above sea level, is a striking underground formation for local and foreign tourists with its geomorphological structure and natural elements.
Location and Transportation
İnaltı Cave is approximately 36–40 km from Ayancık district center and about 400–450 meters from İnaltı Village. Access by vehicle is possible up to 50 meters below the cave. The remaining distance is covered by walking along a stabilized path and stairs. It is 94 km from Sinop city center, 350 km from Ankara, and 620 km from Istanbul.
Physical and Geological Features
The cave extends in an "S" shape in the east-west direction. Its total length is 658 meters. The entrance hall is 125 meters long, 10–12 meters wide, and 15 meters high. This section is the widest and driest part of the cave. As the cave progresses, it narrows, and in the inner sections, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, flowstones, and wall dripstones, along with dripstone pools, are observed. Additionally, special dripstone formations resembling "cauliflower" and "popcorn" are noteworthy.
The ground structure has developed horizontally within the karstic Malt-Lower Cretaceous formation, which rests on a Dogger-aged granite base. The geological structure of the cave holds scientific importance in terms of karst systems and speleothem formations.
İnaltı Cave (Türkiye Culture Portal)
Opening to Tourism and Construction Process
The cave, for which an application was first made by Ayancık Municipality in 1995 to be opened to tourism, was examined in 1996 by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA). As a result of this examination, a 300-meter section of the cave was illuminated and opened to tourism, while only 125 meters of the remaining 358-meter section was deemed suitable for tourism.
However, during the initial arrangement of the cave, unplanned reinforced concrete walkways, haphazard electrical lines, and unsuitable lighting elements were used, without adherence to the project, which caused serious damage to the cave's natural structure. As a result of the re-evaluation carried out by MTA in 2012, it was decided to install architectural project-compliant kiln-dried oak platforms over the existing infrastructure and to place the electrical lines beneath the platforms.
Protection Status
İnaltı Cave and its surroundings were registered as İnaltı Nature Park on August 3, 2020. The nature park covers an area of 22.8 hectares. The cave, protected under the National Parks Law No. 2873, became Türkiye's 249th nature park. This status aims for the sustainable protection of the cave and to contribute to local development through planned tourism activities.
Touristic Value and Use
İnaltı Cave is a notable destination with its natural formations and unique atmosphere. A country cafe and resting area located at the cave entrance serve visitors. Additionally, the region is suitable for activities such as nature walks (trekking), bicycle tours, and bird watching.
İnaltı Cave Viewpoint (T.R. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)
Ecosystem and Biodiversity
The cave surroundings are covered with a rich forest texture. While broad-leaved forests and maquis are found in coastal areas, coniferous species such as pine, beech, fir, oak, and linden become dominant as one moves inland. In terms of fauna, it hosts many wild animals such as brown bears, stone martens, squirrels, roe deer, wolves, wild boars, and rabbits.
