Erfelek

Erfelek is a district town in Sinop Province, about 25 km south of Sinop city in the Black Sea hinterland. With a population of around 5,000, it is a quiet agricultural settlement surrounded by forested hills. Its best-known attraction is the nearby Tatlıca Waterfalls (Erfelek Tatlıca Şelaleleri), a natural park of 28 small cascading waterfalls across 72 hectares where two forests meet, declared a protected natural park in 2011 and reached via a short drive from Erfelek along two roughly 1-km walking trails.

The climate is transitional between Black Sea and continental, with warm summers and cool winters. Spring and autumn are the best visiting seasons.

By Plane

Sinop Airport (ICQ, 30 km north).

By Car / Road

Erfelek is connected by local road to Sinop (30 min). Minibus services operate from Sinop.

The town is walkable.

• Tatlıca Waterfalls (Erfelek Tatlıca Şelaleleri) — Natural park of 28 cascading waterfalls, with marked walking trails.

• Traditional villages — Rural hamlets with Black Sea-style wooden houses.

• Walk the Tatlıca Waterfalls trails.

• Picnicking in the countryside.

Small lokantas serve Black Sea and Turkish cuisine.

Tea houses.

Accommodation is very limited. Visit as a day trip from Sinop.

Local honey and forest products.

• Sinop (25 km north, 30 min) — Historic coastal city.
• Boyabat (90 km south, 1.5 hr) — Medieval castle.