{{Infobox waterfall | name = Samandere Waterfall<br><small>Samandere Şelalesi</small> | photo = | photo_width = | photo_caption = | map = Turkey | map_width = | coordinates = {{coord|40|41|22|N|31|15|37|E|type:waterbody_scale:50000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | location = Düzce Province, Turkey | type = | elevation = | height = | height_longest = | number_drops = | width = | average_width = | watercourse = | average_flow = | world_rank = }} thumb | right | View of Samandere Waterfall in 2013 '''Samandere Waterfall''' ({{langx|tr|Samandere Şelalesi}}) is a waterfall in Düzce Province, northwestern Turkey. It is the first ever registered natural monument of the country.
==Location and access== The waterfall is located in Samandere village of Beyköy district, {{convert|24|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Düzce. It is {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} far from Beyköy, {{convert|26|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the state highway D.100 and {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the motorway O.4.<ref name="dktm"/> The road to the waterfall on a length of {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} was widened and asphalted for easy access in 2015.<ref name="h4"/>
In 2016, the municipality of Düzce launched free-of-charge transportation by bus to the waterfall from the city center on daily basis during the summer months.<ref name="h1"/>
==Waterfall== The waterfall is on a tributary of Uğur Creek, which flows into Lake Efteni. There is a cave in upstream of the waters forming the waterfall, which submerge and outcrop there. The area consists of monumental trees along the {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}}-long stream, three waterfalls and a deep canyon called "Cadı Kazanı" (literally: Witches Cauldron).<ref name="dktm"/> The site is a popular visitor attraction,<ref name="h2"/><ref name="h3"/> which offers campsites, picnicking areas and hiking trails for outdoor recreation.<ref name="dktm"/> The waterfall site features a footbridge and observation decks with railing.<ref name="h3"/>
On December 10, 1988, the waterfall and its surroundings covering an area of {{convert|109.96|da|sqft|abbr=on}}, was registered by the Nature Reserve and Nature Parks Administration of the Ministry of Forest and Water Management as the first ever natural monument of the country.<ref name="mp"/><ref name="dosim"/> The natural monument is run by the Municipality of Düzce according to a protocol signed later by the parts.<ref name="h3"/>
The waterfall sustained great damage following a flood disaster occurred on July 16–17, 2009. It was restored after maintenance works in 2009 and 2010.<ref name="dosim"/>
==See also== * List of waterfalls * List of waterfalls in Turkey
==References== {{reflist|30em|refs= <ref name="dktm">{{cite web |url=http://www.duzcekulturturizm.gov.tr/rehberdetay-17-samandere_selalesi.html |publisher=Düzce İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürülüğü |title=Samandere Şelalesi |language=Turkish |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref> <ref name="mp">{{cite web |url=http://www.milliparklar.gov.tr/belge/ta.pdf |publisher=Milli Parklar |title=Türkiye'nin Tabiat Anıtları |date=2015-07-01 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2016-10-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420132227/http://www.milliparklar.gov.tr/belge/ta.pdf |archivedate=2016-04-20 }}</ref> <ref name="dosim">{{cite web |url=http://duzce.ormansu.gov.tr/Duzce/AnaSayfa/DKMPSubesi/dkmpBirimler/DKMP_Samandere.aspx?sflang=tr |publisher=Düzce Orman Su İşleri Müdürlüğü |title=Samandere Şelalesi Tabiat Anıtı |language=Turkish |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref> <ref name="h1">{{cite news |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/samandere-selalesine-ucretsiz-servis-hizmeti-37282352 |newspaper=Hürriyet |title=Samandere Şelalesi'ne ücretsiz servis hizmeti |author=Solmaz, Tezcan |date=2016-05-18 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref> <ref name="h2">{{cite news |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/samandere-selalesine-yogun-ilgi-37307459 |newspaper=Hürriyet |title=Samandere Şelalesi'ne yoğun ilgi |author=Solmaz, Tezcan |date=2016-07-11 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref> <ref name="h3">{{cite news |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/samandere-selale-alaninda-duzenleme-37211515 |newspaper=Hürriyet |title=Samandere Şelale Alanında Düzenleme |date=2015-12-14 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref> <ref name="h4">{{cite news |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/samandere-selalesi-yolu-asfalt-olacak-37171686 |newspaper=Hürriyet |title=Samandere Şelalesi Yolu Asfalt Olacak |date=2015-09-23 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref> }}
{{Waterfalls of Turkey}} {{Natural monuments of Turkey}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samandere Waterfall}} Category:Waterfalls of Turkey Category:Landforms of Düzce Province Category:Natural monuments of Turkey Category:Tourist attractions in Düzce Province Category:Protected areas established in 1988 Category:1988 establishments in Turkey