Historical Belen Pass Nature Park and International Bird Migration Route (Wind Hill)

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore The strategic Belen Pass (Amanos Gate), through which great conquerors from Alexander the Great to the Crusader armies and Yavuz Sultan Selim passed their armies throughout history, is also one of the world's three most important bottlenecks for hundreds of thousands of soaring birds of prey and storks migrating between the African and Eurasian continents. Black storks, white pelicans, hawks, eagles and snake eagles, which cover the sky in spring and autumn, fly through this passage using thermal air currents. The wind turbines and observation terraces located at the summit offer a magnificent panorama overlooking both this unique bird migration and the Iskenderun Gulf on one side and the Amik Plain on the other. Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features The pass altitude is 750 meters and the cruise peak is 920 meters. The natural air corridor formed by the Amanos Mountains is covered with constantly blowing cool mountain winds and red pine forests. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees