Kastamonu walking routes a research on determination and mapping

In parallel with the changes in the social life of individuals, travel and holiday habits also change, and accordingly, alternative tourism types are gaining more and more popularity day by day. In this study, trekking activities, which is a nature-based alternative tourism type, and the determination of trekking routes in Kastamonu are discussed. With its geographical structure, trekking etc. It has very favorable conditions for activities. The aim of the study is to determine and map the existing and potential trekking routes in Kastamonu province, to process the geographical data and to create a route database in documents. The created route database will constitute a written source in the literature, and in practice, it will be a guiding study for the nature walkers visiting the region. In this context, first of all, the current situation of trekking activities in Kastamonu and the routes used in these activities were revealed. With the obtained data and field studies, alternative trekking routes were determined in addition to the existing routes and recorded with the GPS application. In addition, using the interview form technique, one of the qualitative research methods, the current situation of the individuals participating in the trekking activities in Kastamonu, their views on the hiking routes and their expectations from the routes were determined. In this context, interviews were conducted with 16 suitable people in the management and trainer levels of Kastamonu Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Specialization Club Association (KADASK) operating in Kastamonu. As a result of the study, 16 trekking routes in Kastamonu that can be used within the scope of nature tourism were determined and their geographical information was collected and mapped. In addition, with the SWOT (SWOT) analysis study carried out within the scope of the interview form, the strengths-weaknesses, threats and opportunities of the existing routes were determined, and suggestions were made for the development of the routes and trekking activities in the region. KEY WORDS: Kastamonu, Nature tourism, Hiking, Trekking route, Route