With the solitude provided by its lakes and forests, Abant in the northern province of Bolu is one of the prime spots for Turks wanting to commune with nature.
The Yedigöller area in Abant, might be the best choice to discover the nature and find serenity given the chaotic city life of Istanbul or Ankara. Yedigöller is a group of seven small lakes, namely Büyükgöl, Deringöl, Seringöl, Nazlıgöl, Sazlıgöl, İncegöl and Küçükgöl, located within a national park. The lakes are fed by the same sparkling mountain stream, forming a treasure of untouched nature both in summer and winter.
During autumn, the hillsides are painted in reds and yellows as the deciduous trees change color, while during the winter, snow blankets the region.
It is possible to see several species of trees in the area, with European black pine, Scots pine, oak, ash, hornbeam, willow, juniper, tamarisk, hazelnut, common medlar and strawberry trees all present in the park. There are also wild boars, deer, brown bears, red foxes, jackals, rabbits, wolves, squirrels, swans and countless other types of birds. With the plethora of fauna, the lakes are a prized location for hunters during the season while at other times of the year, fishing is the most popular activity.
Long walks in the snow and visiting the forests and meadows in the company of a guide is a must. Whatever the season, the lakes are enchanting simply because there is little development and because they are never crowded with cars, buses or people. For this reason, it is an ideal place for long romantic walks, evenings by the fire and nights of deep sleep of the variety that most people have forgotten about.
Finding inner peace
It is not simply nature that draws people to Abant, as the chance to be still and find inner peace attracts many to the area’s forests and lakes. The city is sometimes a really difficult place to live in and finding solitude is sometimes impossible. During those times, it is necessary for some people to find some refuge, shut the world away and be quiet; Abant is the perfect place to find such peace.
For people who would like to spend a long time in the region, there are small bungalows. The silence of nature is enhanced by the comfort of the bungalows, all of which have fireplaces and barbecues. If civilization and technology are overwhelming you, than Yedigöller might be the best choice for a holiday.
Lake Abant
Lake Abant is a freshwater lake that is surrounded by dense pine forests. It is a favorite vacation and excursion spot for both Turkish and foreign tourists thanks to the natural beauty of its surroundings, which are covered with dense forests.
For those who are in pursuit of serenity there are two large hotels in the immediate vicinity of the shores of Lake Abant, as well as other amenities and services for visitors, who sometimes alternatively opt for the family guesthouses available in the nearby town of Mudurnu. Like the other lakes in the region, Lake Abant has rich plant life with wild fruit trees, flowers, mushrooms all around, and water lilies covering the surface during the summer.
The forests around the lake offer perfect living environment for deer, and a special wildlife reserve is dedicated to increasing their numbers. It might be very pleasant to hear the noises made by birds and squirrels while walking at the forests.
Hotel development is restricted to the coastal areas of the lake so the Abant Palace, Büyük Abant Otel and Abant Köşkü or the Koru Otel on the Ankara-Istanbul highway are the most convenient places to have a pleasant stay. Even though most of the hotels are old, the combination of forest, lake and peaceful environment goes a long way to erasing the visitor’s ennui.