Destination guide • Uzungöl
Tourism in Uzungöl (also spelled Uzungol or Uzunggol) is the green dream of many visitors: a quiet lake among forested mountains, wooden cabins, and fresh air even in midsummer.
Why Uzungöl?
Uzungöl is a small mountain town in the Çaykara district of Trabzon province, at an altitude of just over 1,000 meters, about 100 km from Trabzon city. Its name in Turkish means "Long Lake," and the lake formed when rockslides blocked the course of the mountain river. It is now the best-known image of Turkey's Black Sea region. Visitors reach it by the coastal road to the town of Of, then a mountain road that climbs alongside the river between forests and wooden villages.
Around the lake there is an easy walking path for families, a mosque on the shore that has become the symbol of the place, and restaurants serving trout from the nearby streams. From the town, roads climb to higher plateaus such as Sultan Murat Plateau and the Demirkapı viewpoint, with open pastures and views above the clouds. Hotels and cabins look out over the water from the slopes, so the town looks like a postcard in photos.
Uzungöl is crowded in summer, receiving millions of visitors a year according to the Turkish press, many of them from the Gulf countries, and the evening by the lake with its lights becomes part of the fun. In winter it is covered in snow and turns into a quiet white scene for anyone looking for a different experience. In late spring and early autumn the lake is calmer and the forest colors are at their best, an ideal time for couples and photography lovers.
You can visit Uzungöl on a day trip from Trabzon, but we recommend staying one or two nights to enjoy the calm of early morning before the day-trippers arrive. We usually include it in the 7-day Trabzon and Uzungöl itinerary with an English-speaking driver and a hotel or cabin with a lake view, or in the 10-day Black Sea tour, which adds Ayder, Rize and Sümela Monastery. We plan your day so that you reach the lake in the morning before the crowds, with time for the nearby plateaus and for walking around the water without hurrying.
Top sights
A carefully chosen list of what is worth your time in Uzungöl, with smart visit planning inside our itineraries.
A level path around the lake that takes under an hour to walk, with small wooden bridges and benches for resting. It is at its best early in the morning, when the mist is reflected on the water.
The mosque on the lake shore is the most famous view here. Pray in it, then take photos from the opposite bank, where its reflection falls on the water.
A wide plateau of open pastures and clean air about 35 km above Uzungöl. The road up is steep, and a driver used to mountain roads is preferable.
A road climbing above the town gives you a full view of the lake and valley from above, and leads to summer pastures and traditional shepherds' huts.
A beautiful waterfall on the road between the coast and Uzungöl, where most visitors stop to take photos and drink tea.
The fish are raised in cold stream water and served grilled or fried in restaurants on the river and lake banks, with corn bread and country dishes.
On the road to Uzungöl, tours stop at tea factories, mountain honey shops and shops selling handmade Sürmene knives, which make distinctive gifts from the north.
Seasonal activities around the town include horse riding, ziplining and walking on mountain trails, and they vary with the weather and the season.
Wooden houses and cabins stepped up the slopes with balconies overlooking the lake, an essential part of the overnight experience here.
With winter, snow covers the rooftops and forests, and the lake becomes a quiet white canvas. The roads then call for a driver used to driving in snow.
Ready-made programs
Day-by-day programs that can be fully adjusted to your number of days and budget.
A week in Turkey's Black Sea region: two nights on Lake Uzungöl, a night in Ayder among the mountains, Sümela Monastery and the city of Trabzon, with an English-speaking driver.
Ten days between the Black Sea coast and its plateaus: Trabzon, Uzungöl, Sultan Murat, Ayder and Rize, Sümela Monastery and Karaca Cave, at a relaxed pace.
Combines two of the most popular destinations in Turkey: Istanbul's landmarks and the Bosphorus, then Trabzon, Lake Uzungöl, Ayder and Sümela Monastery, with domestic flights.
Day Trips
Where to stay?
Uzungöl hotels: areas and options
We can also arrange airport pickup and a private English-speaking driver for you.
OYA tips
Design your trip
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Questions & answers
It is in the Çaykara district of Trabzon province in northeastern Turkey, about 100 km from Trabzon city and its airport, roughly two hours by car depending on stops.
A day trip is enough to see the lake, but staying one or two nights gives you the quiet morning, the lovely evening and a chance to visit the nearby plateaus without rushing. We recommend an overnight stay for nature lovers and anyone who wants some peace.
From May to September for greenery and mild weather, with July and August the busiest. September and early October give you autumn colors and fewer crowds.
Yes, snow is normal in the winter months, especially from December to February, and amounts vary from year to year. The town is usually open, but we check road conditions before every trip.
For families with young children or older travelers, we recommend a hotel close to the lake for easy walking, and for large families a villa or a spacious multi-room cabin. Tell us how many of you there are and your budget, and we will suggest options that are actually available on your dates.
In peak summer the lake is crowded during the day. Visit early in the morning or after the afternoon, and choose to stay overnight so you can enjoy it after the day-trippers leave.
From the OYA guide
A practical guide to Turkey's Black Sea region: how to reach Trabzon, when to visit Uzungöl, where to stay, and the best places from Ayder to Sümela, with a tried-and-tested 7-day itinerary.
A balanced 10-day family itinerary in Turkey that combines city, nature and snow or lakes, with ideas for children's activities and practical tips on accommodation and getting around with little ones.
Turkey has varied climates, so what suits Istanbul may not suit Antalya or Uzungöl in the same month. A month-by-month guide helps you choose the timing and the destination together.
Discover more
City of two continents and Bosphorus magic
Gateway to Turkey's green Black Sea
The first Ottoman capital and the snow mountain
A lake and forests two hours away
Sun, sea and mountains on the Mediterranean
Sunrise balloons over the fairy chimneys
Aegean bays and yacht marinas
Personal service from start to finish
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