Ulukaya Falls

Ulukaya Waterfall is located within the boundaries of Ulukaya Village, in the Ulus district of Bartın Province, and is notable for its natural formation. The waterfall is formed by water emerging from a rock cavity and cascading approximately 25 meters down, near Drahna Canyon. At the base of the fall, a “giant cauldron” 1–1.5 meters deep and a lake 30–40 meters wide are formed. The canyon itself is approximately 1 kilometer long and 65–70 meters high.

^{Ulukaya Waterfall (}T.C. Ulus District Governorship ⁾

The waterfall is formed by natural groundwater emerging from a rock cavity and falling approximately 25 meters. During this descent, the water has eroded the rock surface over time, creating a “giant cauldron.” This cauldron is about 1–1.5 meters deep and has evolved into a lake 30–40 meters wide around its perimeter.

The Drahna Canyon, within which the waterfall is situated, is approximately 1 kilometer long and 65–70 meters high. Its walls are steep and rocky, shaped over centuries by the continuous flow of water and erosion. The water source feeding the waterfall also contributes to part of the drinking water supply for the town center of Ulus. The region draws attention for its rich water sources, steep canyon structure, and diverse rock formations. This geographical structure has endowed the area with unique hydrological and geomorphological characteristics.

Ulukaya Waterfall and the surrounding Drahna Canyon stand out as a rich natural habitat. Species such as the water salamander, water snake, trout, and grayling have been observed here, living in harmony with the preserved local flora and fauna. Due to its biological diversity and geomorphological value, the area was declared a “Natural Site Area” on 13 November 1998 by the Ankara Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage, under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, through Decision No. 6015.

^{Ulukaya Waterfall (}T.C. Ulus District Governorship ⁾

Ulukaya Waterfall is notable not only for its natural beauty but also for the cultural and mythological narrative associated with it. According to local legend, the waterfall is known as the “Waterfall That Soothes the Pain of Love.” A handsome and strong young man from Selamnos fell in love with a woman named Hera, whose beauty became the subject of many tales. As Selamnos became increasingly ill and weak from unrequited love, he suffered profound anguish. Overcome by despair, he resolved to end his life by leaping from the summit of Ulukaya.

However, the goddess of love, Eros, could not remain indifferent to this tragedy. Instead of allowing Selamnos’s lifeless body to touch the ground, she transformed it into water, forming the waterfall. According to the legend, the deep emotional anguish Selamnos experienced became embedded in the spirit of the water. As a result, anyone who drinks a sip of the water, washes their face with it, or dampens a cloth with it is said to be freed from the pain of love.

Ulukaya Waterfall is not only a natural tourist attraction but also a functional water source for the regional community. Part of the water flowing from the waterfall is used to meet the drinking water needs of the Ulus town center. The natural landscape it offers, the mysterious atmosphere created by its mythological narrative, and the purifying properties of its water have made Ulukaya Waterfall an appealing destination for both ecotourism and cultural tourism. Today, Ulukaya Waterfall, attracting both local and international visitors, continues to exist as one of the natural landmarks of Western Black Sea region, sustained by its mystical narrative and preserved natural environment.