Ovacık: Plain, Munzur Mountains and Munzur Suyu

Ovacık brings together the wide Ovacık Plain, the Munzur Mountains and the Munzur Suyu. The town center lies on the plain, at an altitude of about 1,300 meters. More than two meters of snow can fall there in winter, while summers are cool. These seasonal characteristics give a first impression of the area, but are not a forecast for any particular travel dates. Mountains surround the plain to the north and south, and the Munzur Suyu flows through it. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Ovacık, you can first consider whether you want to focus on the town itself or on nature destinations in the wider area.

Plain, Rivers and Mountain Landscapes

East of the town center, the Mercan Deresi flows into the Munzur Suyu. As a result, river valleys also shape the landscape, alongside the open plain. Ovacık district can be reached by a road that passes through Munzur Valley National Park and follows the Munzur Suyu; road conditions can vary with the seasons.

Munzur Valley National Park stretches across 42,000 hectares in the Munzur Valley between Tunceli and Ovacık. The area was declared a national park in 1971 and does not lie entirely within Ovacık. Its plant diversity also reflects the region’s character: 1,518 plant species have been recorded in the park, including 227 species endemic to Türkiye. Of the recorded species, 43 are endemic to the Munzur Mountains. The Munzur Çayı is described as the most important flowing waterway in Ovacık district.

Springs and Waterfalls in the Surrounding Area

The Munzur Gözeleri are 20 kilometers west of Ovacık. Thousands of people visit them from spring onward. The area includes about 40 karst springs, whose waters form small waterfalls; the Gözeleri are also known for the trout in their waters. Concrete barriers, small pools, walking paths, seating areas and bridges have been built between the springs and the Munzur Suyu. There is also a children’s playground and a restaurant. If these facilities are important for your visit, check in advance which ones are currently available.

The Kırk Merdiven Waterfalls offer a different kind of waterfall landscape: several waterfalls lie in a narrow, small valley on the slopes of the Munzur Mountains that descend toward the Mercan Valley. They are one of the first stops on the route to the high pastures north of Ovacık. This makes the waterfalls quite different from the karst springs of the Munzur Gözeleri.

Hiking, Picnics and Water Sports

The northern sections of the Mercan Valley are suitable for nature hikes. The southern, forested sections of the valley are suitable for picnics and camping. Munzur Valley National Park also offers opportunities for nature hikes, camping, picnics, sport fishing, water sports, rafting and mountaineering. If you plan to fish, check the local regulations.

A specific stretch of the Munzur Suyu is described as suitable for rafting: the roughly 20 kilometers between Aşağı Torunoba, Sarıtaş and the Halbori Gözeleri, despite the irregular water flow.

Choose the Right Starting Point

For travel planning, Ovacık offers a clear contrast between the town center on the plain and nature attractions across the wider area. The Munzur Gözeleri lie west of the town; the Kırk Merdiven Waterfalls and the Mercan Valley are associated with waterfalls, hiking and other activities in the mountain landscape. So if you are looking for a holiday apartment, choose according to the focus of your trip: would you like to get to know Ovacık as a town, or are the surrounding rivers, valleys and nature experiences your main priority?

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