Abant Lake Travel Guide: The Lakeside Walk and a One-Day Plan

Abant Lake, in Bolu, is a mountain lake surrounded by pine and fir forests, with a footpath running all the way around it. The best thing to do here is to walk around the lake at an unhurried pace, take in the view and enjoy the fresh air. On TatiliYakala's Abant, Maşukiye and Gölcük tour you take a lake tour and a nature walk at Abant Lake; the route is mostly flat and is adjusted to the group's pace.

What is Abant Lake like?

Abant lies within Bolu province, among the wooded slopes of the Bolu Mountains. The lake is thought to have formed when a landslide blocked the mouth of a valley. The lake and its surroundings are protected as a nature park.

The trees around the lake look completely different depending on the season: fresh green in spring, deep forest in summer, yellow and red in autumn and a white silence under the snow in winter. That is why people who visit Abant in different seasons describe the same place as if it were somewhere else entirely. We cover the seasonal differences in detail in our post When to go to Abant.

Walking around the lake

Abant's best-known activity is the footpath that circles the lake. The route is mostly flat and suits families and children as well as brisk walkers. Along the way there are clearings looking out over the lake through the trees, benches and short rest stops.

Tips for the walk:

• Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes or trainers are enough. Earth paths can be muddy after rain.
• Pace: You do not have to go all the way around the lake; walking part of it and turning back is enjoyable too.
• Water and layers: It can be cool in the forest; bring a light cardigan or windbreaker.
• Quiet: The lake's surroundings are also a habitat for birds and wildlife; avoid loud music.

The tour programme includes a lake tour and a nature walk at Abant; the length can be shortened to suit the group's pace.

Things to do on the lakeshore

Views and photography

In the morning, when the lake is still, the reflection of the trees in the water is at its clearest. The jetty and benches on the shore make natural frames for photos. Colourful trees in autumn and snowy shores in winter offer different shots.

Horse and carriage rides

At Abant you may see horse or carriage rides around the lake. These are services offered by local businesses and are not part of the tour programme.

Picnics and relaxing

There are suitable spots around the lake to sit and relax. Follow the nature park rules, do not light fires and take your rubbish home with you.

What to eat in Abant

Bolu is also known for its cuisine, thanks to the district of Mengen, famous for its cooks. Around Abant, village breakfasts, gözleme and trout are dishes you will often come across. A trout species unique to Abant Lake is also known to exist; as it is protected, do not expect fish from the lake to be on the menu.

The meal arrangements on the tour programme are as follows: a lavish village breakfast in Maşukiye in the morning, and in the afternoon a lunch of sucuk, chicken or köfte with soft drinks at Gölcük Lake. We describe these two stops in our Maşukiye and Gölcük guide.

A one-day plan from Istanbul to Abant

TatiliYakala's Abant, Maşukiye and Gölcük tour is a nature programme designed for groups who want to get away from the city for a day:

• 06:00 Departure
• 08:30 Lavish village breakfast in Maşukiye; departure for Abant
• 12:00 Abant Lake: lake tour and nature walk
• 14:30 Gölcük Lake: lunch, free time
• 16:30 Departure for the return journey
• 20:00 Arrival

In this schedule, Abant is the main stop in the middle of the day. You build up energy with breakfast in the morning, and in the afternoon you take a calmer break at Gölcük.

Who is it for?

The Abant tour is planned for nature lovers, schools and companies. For school groups it works as an outdoor lesson on geography topics such as how lakes form and forest ecosystems; the walking pace is adjusted to the age group. For corporate groups, a day away from the office with plenty of fresh air is good for team spirit. For other day trips, see our Tours in Türkiye page.

Pack in your bag

A small backpack is enough for a day trip to Abant:

• A light fleece or windbreaker; in the forest and on the lakeshore it is noticeably cooler than in the city.
• A raincoat or folding umbrella; in mountain weather, rain can come on suddenly.
• A water bottle and a small snack.
• Sunglasses and a hat; the sun is strong on the open shores.
• In winter, waterproof boots, gloves and a beanie.

Abant gets crowded at weekends and during public holidays. If you want a quieter walk, choose weekday dates; for school and corporate groups, this also makes transport and getting around the lake easier.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Abant Lake walk difficult?

No. The walk around the lake follows a mostly flat route. On the tour, the length can be shortened to suit the group's pace.

Where is Abant Lake?

Abant Lake is a mountain lake in Bolu province, set among wooded mountains and protected as a nature park.

How was Abant Lake formed?

The lake is thought to have formed when a landslide blocked the mouth of a valley.

Can you visit Abant on a day trip?

Yes. The Abant, Maşukiye and Gölcük tour is a day trip that departs at 06:00 in the morning and arrives back at 20:00 in the evening.