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Abant Lake, Turkey

Also known as:  Lake Abant, Abant Golu

One of Turkey’s most scenic lakes, Abant Lake is likely one of the most visited. Part of the 2800-acre Abant Nature Park, this 316-acre lake was formed by a landslide in the distant past. The lake has existed long enough that a breed of endemic trout has evolved, the Abant trout, a subspecies of brown trout. As Abant Lake can be reached by car without major difficulty,…
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    • All About Abant Lake, Turkey

    Lake Locations: Turkey -

    One of Turkey’s most scenic lakes, Abant Lake is likely one of the most visited. Part of the 2800-acre Abant Nature Park, this 316-acre lake was formed by a landslide in the distant past. The lake has existed long enough that a breed of endemic trout has evolved, the Abant trout, a subspecies of brown trout. As Abant Lake can be reached by car without major difficulty, it has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in Turkey.

    Also known as Lake Abant, this natural lake is nestled in one of the greenest and most heavily forested areas of Turkey, less than three hours from both Istanbul and Ankara. Turkey’s first fish hatchery is located here to propagate the well-known Abant trout. Visitors often come to the ponds to catch fresh trout. Only a few hotels and a couple of campgrounds are located along the shoreline. The scenic lake, set against a backdrop of the surrounding mountains, is the real attraction at Abant Lake.

    There are no marinas at Abant Lake, although the hotels sometimes provide small boats and water bikes. No major public swimming beaches or water sports attractions are on display here. Instead, visitors walk the four-mile road around the lake, or rent a horse for the trek. Horse-drawn carriages are also available. Those circling the lake mention how many birds and birdsongs they observe. Picnics along the shore are romantic fare for young couples who often purchase lunch from the variety of food venders near the hotels. The food vendors provide an eclectic mix of food choices, and one can equip a picnic basket to include barbecued sausages, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh breads and wine. The hotels offer more elegant cuisine for luncheons, but excellent food is a feature no matter where you go at Abant Lake.

    Restaurants and a few bungalows along the lakefront road make this the perfect spot for a quiet getaway or romantic weekend. Four day-use areas offer piers, restrooms, picnic tables and playgrounds for the children. In one spot along the shore, local residents are allowed to sell hand-crafted wares, fruits and vegetables on specified days. The circular lakeside road may be closed to vehicles in the future, with tour buses being the only motorized conveyances entering the park.

    A few tiny villages and villagers’ orchards can be seen near the lake. Some of the villagers act as guides for tours into the wooded Nature Park. Over a thousand acres of the park are open space and settlements. Fourteen hundred acres are preserved as forest with some as restricted areas. Within the forest eco-zone, it is possible to enjoy all four seasons at Lake Abant; the altitude and the many trees produce a riot of flowers in the spring and all of the deep reds and golden yellows of a New England autumn in the fall. Winter often brings snow, and the lake sometimes freezes enough to allow for ice skating.

    The plants and trees in the forested areas include European black pines, Scotch pines, larch, beech, ashes, oaks, hornbeam, poplar, junipers, willows, holly, hazels, tamarisks, strawberry trees and common medlar. Also growing are dog-rose, forest rose, bracken, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, mint, nettle, ivy, mare’s tail, and several types of pasture grasses. The park shelters wild boar, fallow deer, roe deer,brown bear, red fox, jackal, and rabbit among other mammals. The birds seem to be ever-present, singing their pleasure at the beautiful woods.

    Turkish families are often seen picnicking along the shore. Resort-goers from the Black Sea resorts come to Abant Lake for a quiet day away from the crowds. Workers from Bolu 18 miles to the northeast often take holidays here, renting one of the many guest houses on the road leading to the park or guest lodgings at the small town of Mudurnu 11 miles south. Mudurnu is becoming an Ottoman revival town, with the old houses being restored and re-purposed to attract visitors. There’s a lively bazaar area and several sites of cultural or historic interest. Visitors to the area often visit Abant Lake as a day excursion while staying in one of the hotels in Bolu where they can enjoy sightseeing and cultural activities.

    Bolu holds a picturesque 14th century mosque, Bolu State Fine Arts Gallery, and the Museum of Bolu. The Bolu Archeology and Ethnography Museum has artifacts from the Hittite, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, including an impressive collection of more than 11,300 ancient and Islamic coins. Long known for its mineral water spas, one of the hotels offers hot mineral water baths directly from the underground springs. Surprisingly, the temperature is just perfect for bathing.

    Construction of facilities and infrastructure near Abant Lake is proceeding slowly and carefully to preserve the pristine natural area. Only limited studies appear to have been done on the lake itself, so Abant Lake is still somewhat mysterious. One small stream flows into the lake-the Bespoyraz. Much of the lake’s water appears to come from springs. The out-flowing stream, augmented by water draining from the surrounding hills and forests, becomes the Filyos River by the time it reaches Bolu.

    Peaks in this part of Turkey provide ski slopes and resorts during winter, further adding to the year-round attractiveness of a vacation in the Bolu region. Lodgings are plentiful, both at the lake and in nearby areas. If you’re looking for a scenic and quiet respite, Abant Lake is one of the best places in Turkey to find it.

    Things to Do at Abant Lake

    These are some activities in the Abant Lake, Turkey area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Ice Skating
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • Museum
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Abant Lake?

    Abant Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Brown Trout
    • Trout
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    Find Places to Stay at Abant Lake

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    More Sites to Book a Abant Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Abant Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Abant Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 316 acres

    Shoreline Length: 4 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 4,357 feet

    Maximum Depth: 59 feet

    Trophic State: Oligotrophic

    Abant Lake Map

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