Lake Abant

Lake Abant is a natural crater lake sitting at roughly 1,328 meters elevation in the forested hills of Bolu Province, some 34 kilometers southwest of Bolu city. The lake falls within Abant Tabiat Parkı, one of Turkey's oldest protected nature reserves, encircled by dense beech and oak woodland that turns vivid red and orange in autumn. A well-maintained lakeside promenade allows visitors to complete a full loop on foot or by bicycle in around two hours. Long popular as a weekend escape for city dwellers from Istanbul and Ankara, the lake sees calm fishing from the banks, rowing boats for hire, and generous picnic meadows along the shore.