Exploring Istanbul with Kids: Family Walking Route in Belgrad Forest
As August's last Friday arrives and the excitement of the school opening is felt in the air in Istanbul, it is still possible for families to benefit from long and spacious summer days. For fathers and mothers seeking vast green areas where they can breathe away from the city's noise, Belgrad Forest is one of the most valuable escape points, both easily accessible and where children can run freely. In this vast grove of the northern forests, the scent of pine felt even on the edges of asphalt roads gives a relaxation signal the moment you step out of the car.
Parking in one of the large parking areas at the forest entrance and proceeding along the main road, our first stop can be Neşet Suyu Picnic Area. Here there are tables, barbecue areas, and shallow flowing water channels where children can play with water. While children climb tree trunks, parents can chat in the pine shade or organize their snacks. As you walk a little further inside towards the upper reaches of Neşet Suyu, adorned with water terraces and wooden bridges, the forest silence enriches with bird chirps.
For families wanting to extend the walking route a bit more, Atatürk Arboretum, located in the southwest of the forest and renovated in recent years, makes a perfect second stop. In this open-air museum equipped with thousands of tree and plant species collected from four corners of the world, children learn nature lessons vividly thanks to labeled plants. Winding roads, water pools, and shaded areas continue the discovery adventure, while also capturing magnificent frames for photography enthusiasts. The Arboretum's entrance fee is at a symbolic level, and since weekends can be busy, going early is beneficial.
Ending the day at Kömürcü Bent or one of the surrounding tea gardens, among the highest hills of the forest, gives tired legs a chance to rest. As the view extending to the Istanbul Bosphorus takes on a golden hue at sunset, children share the pine cones, leaves, and small discoveries they collected during the day. The forest scent placed in the trunk as you return to the car ensures summer doesn't end at home either. This route is not just a walk; it is a small adventure where children growing up in the city's concrete texture set their feet on soil, their breath is cleansed, and the family accumulates shared moments.