Western Samsun Discovery Route

This full-day route opens up the western edge of Samsun, tracing the province's longest coastline from the beaches of 19 Mayıs, through Alaçam's shoreline villages, to Yakakent, Samsun's only coastal district. Following the D010 coastal highway from the city center, it takes about 40 minutes to reach the Kumcağız neighborhood of 19 Mayıs, where the day begins at Engiz Beach, known for its wide sand and gently deepening water. Morning is best here, before crowds arrive, making it ideal for a long walk along the shore. Right next door, Engiz Aquapark makes a natural second stop, giving families with children a few hours of slides and pools before midday.

In the early afternoon the route turns briefly inland to Galeriç Forest, within the Kızılırmak Delta, roughly a 20-minute drive away. This rare floodplain forest, submerged in spring, offers shaded trails perfect for cooling off at midday and for quiet birdwatching. From there it climbs about 20 kilometers south to Nebiyan Mountain along a narrow mountain road that calls for careful driving. From the 1,224-meter summit, a wide stretch of the Black Sea opens up, and under the right wind conditions paragliders can often be seen launching from the peak.

Descending from Nebiyan, the route heads west toward Alaçam, a leg of roughly 45-50 kilometers best timed for mid-afternoon. The first stop there is the Alaçam Population Exchange Museum, housed in a former primary school building and recognized as Turkey's first museum dedicated to the subject — a cool indoor break on a hot day. About 2 kilometers further, Geyikkoşan Beach invites a late-afternoon stroll beneath pine and poplar shade; visitors arriving around May 6th, during the Hıdırellez festival, may catch the traditional oil-wrestling matches held there.

The final leg stretches roughly 20 kilometers west of Alaçam to Yakakent. First comes a short sunset walk along the 4-kilometer coastal promenade of Gümenez, the district's old name, followed by the closing stop 7 kilometers north on the Samsun-Sinop highway at Çamgölü Recreation Area, where a red pine forest meets the sea in a series of hidden coves — best saved for sunset.

Covering roughly 150 kilometers by car, the route is comfortably done in a single day, allowing 7-8 hours including stops; public transport between districts is infrequent, so a car is recommended. May through September is the best window, and setting off around 8:00 AM avoids both the aquapark crowds and the midday heat at Nebiyan. A local tip: the paths down to the coves at Çamgölü are unmarked, so follow the first shaded opening off the main road; at Geyikkoşan, parking fills up fast during the Hıdırellez season, so arrive early.