Uzungöl
Uzungöl (Long Lake) is a small mountain lake at an altitude of 1,090 m, surrounded by dense fir forests and steep mountains — a setting reminiscent of the Swiss Alps or Norway. The lake with its small mosque on the shore and wooden houses on the hill is one of the most photographed motifs in eastern Turkey.
In recent years, Uzungöl has grown significantly — particularly popular with Arab tourists from the Gulf states. Hotels and restaurants have increased, and it can get crowded on summer weekends. Nevertheless, in the early morning, when the mist hangs over the lake, the atmosphere is magical.
Activities
- Lake walk: A simple walking path leads around the lake (about 30 minutes).
- Hike to the high pastures: Paths lead from the lake to the surrounding pastures — Haldizen Yaylası (2,100 m) offers panoramic views of the mountain world.
- Eat trout: The local specialty is fresh Black Sea trout (Alabalık), grilled or pan-fried — at every restaurant by the lake.
💡 Tipp
Uzungöl is crowded on weekends and in summer — visit during the week or in spring (May/June) when the rhododendrons bloom. For the best photo perspective: hike to the viewpoint above the village (20 minutes) — from there, you can see the lake with the mosque and mountains as a panorama.