Mythological name of Uludag which gave its name to the National Park is OLYMPOSMYSIOS. During the Ottoman Empire, Uludag was known as Kesis Mountain and it received today’s name of ULUDAG in 1925.
Uludag National Park has the highest altitude in the Western Anatolia Region with 2543 meters. 71% of the National Park is forest, 28% is meadowlands and rocky areas (Alpine Region), 0.4% is open areas, 0.1% is covered with water and 0.8% of it is a residential area. Uludag National Park has extraordinary natural beauties, forests and a wealth of floras and faunas.
Uludag National Park has rich vegetation that has both Alpine and endemic plants specific to Turkey and Uludag. There are 104 endemic species detected in Uludag and 32 of those are Uludag endemics. There are 46 species of butterflies living in the Uludag National Park as well as having an Uludag specific endemic breed of Apollo butterfly (Parnassius Apollo L.).
To a certain extent, the rich vegetation of Uludag is caused by its location between the Mediterranean and the European-Siberian floristic regions. In its flora, there is 63% of Euro-Siberian element and 31% of Mediterranean element.
It is also known that in Uludag’s flora, there is a %6 of Iranian-Turanian floristic element as well. Because of its interesting features, Uludag has been the focus of attention of the botanists for a long time.
In addition, Uludag is one of the 122 Important Plant Areas (OBA) in our country.
Different species such as bears, coyotes, fox, squirrels, rabbits, weasels, wild boars, snakes, lizards, mountain eagles, woodpeckers, owls, doves and sparrows continue to live in the Uludag National Park. Bearded vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus) is one of the endemic species found in Uludag. In addition, the red forest ants provide huge benefits to the Uludag National Park by eating all the harmful insects in the forests. Uludag has been identified as an Important Bird Area due to its hosting of the breeding population of the bearded vulture and mountain eagles. In terms of the botanist Mayr’s characterizing the Forest Zones in various heights and for these forest zones to be seen during a 45 minute car ride, the Uludag National Park has particular scientific importance in the world forestry literature. These are Laurentum, Cantanetum, Fagetum, Pinatum, Albiertum and Alpinetum generations.
During the journey from Bursa towards the peak, over 700 species of herbaceous and perennial plants such as Bay Leaf/Laurel, Common Alder, Sycamore, Judas Tree/Redbud, Chestnut, Linden, Maple, Prunus Lauroceraus, Hazelnut, Oak, Beech/Fagus, Aspen, Cranberry, Larch/Black Pine, Rowan, Fir/Abies, Bearberry, Dwarf Juniper, various herbs and lichens can be seen and various different plants can be discovered at Uludag which is one of the rare places with rich diversity of plants.
At the peak of Uludag, there are 9 glacial lakes which dry out during summer months. The most important of these are Karagol, Kilimligol, Buzlugol and Aynaligol that are located at the lake regions.
Uludag is a Granite Batholith and has gained its today’s appearance from Technotic movements. The first traces of glacial period in our country have been identified in Uludag by Phlippson. On the slopes of Uludag facing north, there are formations shaped by glaciers and interesting looking rock formations (such as Yilanlikaya, Devetasi, Cennetkaya and Cobankaya).
Uludag is the leading center for winter sports and skiing. Due to its proximity to large residential areas and the mass amount of camping and daily use, Bursa satisfies the recreational needs of the nearby cities. The annual visitors of Uludag National Park are close to 1,000,000 people. It is 36 km away from Bursa and 150 km from Istanbul. And the ski center‘s distance from the airport is 60 minutes and from Bursa is 40 minutes.
The works are underway regarding the extension of the current 4,817 meters long telpher line (cable car) on the Teferruc-Kadiyayla-Sarialan routes from the Sarialan Camp and the Daily Used Areas to the districts where the hotels are. The project that is prepared by the Bursa Municipality is in the build phase. The project will reduce the access to the hotels district to 22 minutes and extend the current line to 8,500 meters.
Intended for the Summer Period users, there are 2 Camping Areas and 2 Daily Use Areas in the Uludag National Park.
The Sarialan Camp Daily Use Area has a 300 tent capacity and also is open for visitors with its countryside clubs, barracks, bungalows, souvenir shops, utility complex, restrooms, wellness trail, children’s playground and a mosque. With a 150 tents capacity, the Cobankaya Camp Daily Use Area is open for public with its convenience store, utility complex, restrooms, children’s playground and al-masjid.
2 kilometers away from Cobankaya, the Bakacak site is the best place to be for a panoramic view of Bursa.
Kirazliyayla Daily Use Area has restrooms, soccer field and children’s playground along with two accommodation facilities owned by official institutions.
National Park Entrance Door is by the Karabelen Daily Use Area along with its having restrooms.
Being the nation’s most important center for winter sports and skiing, the number of days Uludag is covered with snow is 178 days. Ski-runs are available between December 15th and April 30th. There are total of 34 accommodation facilities within the 1st Development (Hotels) District.
There is currently a hiking trail within the Sarialan Camp and the Daily Use Area. The length of the ‘’Live Young Trail’’ which has been arranged in the forest area is 2.1 kilometers. The trail consists of 10 exercising stations that are arranged in accordance with the scientific and medical principles.