Foraging routes · Marmara
Belgrad Forest
A deciduous forest dominated by sessile oak just north of Istanbul, with the most mushroom records anywhere in Turkey.
- records
- 570
- species
- 181
- province
- Istanbul
Belgrad Forest (Turkish: Belgrad Ormanı) is a mixed deciduous forest on the European side of Istanbul, at the easternmost tip of the Çatalca Peninsula, with the Bosphorus to the east and the Black Sea to the north. Although it sits low, it gets plenty of rain and lies on the boundary between Central European and Mediterranean climates. Most of its trees and shrubs lose their leaves in winter, and sessile oak is the dominant tree.
For centuries it was the main water source for Istanbul, and six historic dams still stand inside the forest. It was opened to the public as a recreation and picnic area in 1956 and is managed today by the Istanbul Regional Directorate of Forestry.
Why this route?
In open observation data (GBIF, iNaturalist) this is the densest cluster of macrofungi records in Turkey. The list and the monthly chart on this page show which species have actually been recorded here, and when. The high count also reflects how many naturalists visit a forest so close to the city.
Getting there
The forest is split between Istanbul's Sarıyer and Eyüpsultan districts. Entrances and parking rules change, so check the regional forestry directorate's notices before you go.
Rules and safety
Belgrad Forest is a recreation area: follow its rules and the signs on fires and vehicle access. It is a busy forest, and a mushroom you leave is a mushroom someone else gets to see: a photo is often worth more than a basket.