The basalt columns were formed by the rapid cooling of lava flows, causing the rock to contract and crack into precise hexagonal geometric shapes.
The lava columns in Güzelcehisar are rare globally, with similar structures found in only a few locations like Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway and Scotland’s Fingal’s Cave.
The formations are approximately 80 million years old, dating back to the Late Cretaceous geological era.
The wooden walkway, designed to minimize human impact on the ecosystem, stretches nearly a kilometer along the shoreline.
The site acts as a transitional point where the dense forest vegetation meets the volcanic geological history of the coastline.
Güzelcehisar Lava Columns are a geological site featuring rare volcanic basalt prisms formed 80 million years ago. These hexagonal columns are among the few examples of their kind globally, stretching along the Black Sea coastline in Bartın, Türkiye. The site includes an 850-meter-long wooden walking platform that allows visitors to view the formations from both the beach and the forest edge. The columns extend roughly 300 meters into the sea, showcasing volcanic activity that occurred during the Late Cretaceous period. The surrounding area is protected as a natural monument, preventing construction and preserving the integrity of the basalt structures. It is one of the most significant natural landmarks in the Western Black Sea region.
From the middle section of the wooden walkway looking toward the point where the columns meet the sea at sunset.
Bring a pair of binoculars to examine the vertical striations of the columns from the wooden platform.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the transition between the sand and the wooden walkway.
Visit during low tide to see more of the columns that extend into the shallow waters.
Do not attempt to walk on the wet, slippery rocks during high tide, as the basalt can be extremely hazardous when wet.
Do not climb on, chip away at, or remove any pieces of the volcanic rock, as it is a protected natural monument.
