Çorum's Waterfalls: Karayanık and Kızılcaoluk
The mountainous, forested districts of northern Çorum are home to two waterfalls most visitors never hear about: Karayanık Waterfall in İskilip and Kızılcaoluk Waterfall in Kargı. Both lie on marked sections of the official Kızılırmak Basin Gastronomy and Walking Trail.
Karayanık Waterfall (İskilip)
Karayanık Waterfall is found in the Karayanık neighbourhood of Sorkun village, İskilip district, in a valley locals call the Fındıklı Deresi (Hazel Stream). Each of its five independent falls first spills into a small pool before sending its water on to the next — creating a chain of cascades and pools down the valley.
Visitors usually pair the waterfall with a hike up to the Asarkaya summit: the “İskilip–Karayanık village–Asarkaya summit–Karayanık waterfall–Kararanık village” route runs about 6.5 km, with a steep climb and a final 1 km scramble. On the official Kızılırmak Basin trail, the “Sorkun–Asarkaya” (6 km) and “Sorkun–Karayanık Waterfalls” (7 km) day-hike routes, the “İskilip–Karayanık” (52 km) long-distance trail and the “İskilip–Asarkaya” (54 km) cycling route are all marked as well.
Kızılcaoluk Waterfall (Kargı)
Kızılcaoluk Waterfall lies near Başköy village in Kargı district (some sources place it near the village’s Köprübaşı locality — local guidance is recommended for the exact spot). Free and open to all, it draws both locals and visiting nature lovers, especially in autumn when the surrounding forest turns colour. The official Kızılırmak Basin trail’s suggested 7-day itinerary includes “Kargı Tatil Köyü–Kızılcaoluk Waterfall–Başköy” as one day’s hike.
Notes for Visiting
- Both waterfalls are reached via village roads and partly marked nature trails; sturdy footwear and local guidance are advisable.
- The best season, per the Kızılırmak Basin trail’s own recommendation, runs from April to November; water flow is highest in spring.
- Karayanık sits in the same area as the İskilip Yaylaları highlands and can be combined with a visit there; Kızılcaoluk pairs well with a trip to Kargı Yaylası.
For the full route network and other trail segments, see our Kızılırmak Basin Gastronomy and Walking Trail page.