Ballıkayalar Nature Park

Ballıkayalar is a rocky canyon valley near the village of Tavşanlı in the district of Gebze, Kocaeli. It has the status of a nature park.

In ancient times, because the high rock cavities were used as a place to store honey, the names Ballı Mağaralar, Bal Mağaraları, Bal Kayaları were used, and finally it received the name Ballı Kayalar. It is a valley with lengths varying between 40–80 m and about 2 km in total length. The valley is formed by Ballıkaya Creek. The creek has created waterfalls and giant basins where the water pools.

Middle Triassic limestone, shaped by streams over 200 million years, formed the canyon valley. The canyon valley, waterfall, giant basins, caves, hollows, and vegetation constitute the main values of the park. It is located 6.5 km north of the İzmit Bay. Its highest points are Topluca Tepe (280 m) and Düzmeşe Tepe (224 m). Its area is 6,029.73 decares. The natural vegetation consists of shrubland, oak forest, psödomaki and makiler.

It is the place where rock climbing sport began in Turkey. The climbing routes were first opened in the 1970s. Because of its proximity to Istanbul, climbers favor it. Since the valley runs north‑south, some rocks remain in shade at different times of the day. Thus climbers can find comfortable climbing conditions even on hot days.

Besides climbers, Ballıkayalar is a park also favored by picnickers. In the area, which has a freshwater pond suitable for swimming, rock jumping is also practiced.

It is 50 km from Istanbul and 10 km from Gebze. A new road to Istanbul is being considered through the nature area.