Maşukiye and Gölcük: Breakfast on the Way to Abant and a Lakeside Lunch Stop

Maşukiye and Gölcük are the two peaceful stops at the start and end of an Abant trip: Maşukiye, in the Kartepe district of Kocaeli, is where you go for a long village breakfast by a stream, and Lake Gölcük in Bolu, with its forest-fringed shore, is where you go for lunch and a rest. On TatiliYakala's Abant, Maşukiye and Gölcük tour, the day starts with a spread breakfast in Maşukiye and continues in the afternoon with lunch and free time at Gölcük.

Maşukiye: starting the day to the sound of a stream

For a group heading east from Istanbul, Maşukiye is perfectly placed for a breakfast stop. Set on the slopes of Kartepe, around the streams running down the wooded hillsides, the village is known for its shady gardens and the sound of water.

The breakfast table

In Maşukiye, breakfast is not just a meal but a proper break. A spread breakfast table usually includes:

• White cheese, kaşar and village cheeses
• Honey, kaymak (clotted cream) and homemade jams
• Olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and greens
• Eggs cooked in a pan or in butter
• Hot gözleme or pişi (fried dough)
• Tea brewed in a teapot

The tour programme includes a spread village breakfast in Maşukiye; after this breakfast at around 08:30, the group sets off for Abant. After the first hours on the road, sitting down at a table by the stream is a good start to the rest of the day.

A short walk after breakfast

If there is time, a walk of a few minutes along the stream after breakfast is a good chance both to relax and to take photos. Wet stones and stream banks can be slippery, so keep an eye on children.

We cover Maşukiye and the Kartepe area in the context of winter and skiing in our article on places to visit around Kartepe.

Lake Gölcük: Bolu's peaceful corner

Gölcük is a small lake surrounded by forest near Bolu city centre, and its surroundings are protected as a nature park. Being smaller and more compact than Abant, it is easy to walk around, which makes it ideal as the last stop of the day.

Walking around the lake

You can walk around Gölcük in a short stroll. Spots looking out over the lake through the trees, benches on the shore and jetties reaching into the water make lovely frames for photos. In autumn the lakeside turns colourful, and in winter the snow-covered trees create a silent landscape.

Lunch and free time

On the tour programme, lunch is served at Gölcük at around 14:30: sucuk (spicy sausage), chicken or köfte (meatballs) with a soft drink. After lunch there is free time until the return departure at 16:30. You can spend it walking along the lakeshore, relaxing on the grass or enjoying the view over a glass of tea.

Picnic rules

Gölcük is a favourite with picnickers at weekends. Barbecues may only be lit in permitted areas within the nature park; always take your rubbish back with you. Do not disturb the birds and wildlife on the lakeshore.

Maşukiye, Abant and Gölcük: the day's schedule

The three stops make up a day in which each complements the others:

1. Maşukiye (morning): Breakfast by the stream and a short break.
2. Lake Abant (midday): The main activity of the day: a lake tour and nature walk. Details in our Lake Abant travel guide.
3. Lake Gölcük (afternoon): Lunch and rest.

The programme is planned with departure at 06:00 and arrival at 20:00. For the full schedule and a quote, see the Abant, Maşukiye and Gölcük tour page.

Two stops through the seasons

• Spring: Maşukiye's streams run high with snowmelt; the Gölcük area turns green.
• Summer: Both stops offer an escape from the city in cool shade; they can be crowded at weekends.
• Autumn: Colourful trees at Gölcük, misty mornings in Maşukiye.
• Winter: Snow-covered landscapes; road conditions need to be checked in advance.

Detailed advice on choosing the season is in our article on when to go to Abant.

Small tips for photos

In Maşukiye, the tables by the stream make warm shots in the morning light, with shadows filtering through the plane tree leaves; photographing the table from above shows off the abundance of the breakfast. At Gölcük, wait for moments when the lake surface is still: when the reflection of the shoreline trees in the water is framed together with a jetty or a bench, you get a simple yet striking photo. Colourful leaves in autumn and snowy branches in winter make the same spot look completely different.

Who is it for?

This tour is planned for nature lovers, schools and companies. For school groups, Lakes Gölcük and Abant are an open-air lesson on how lakes form and on forest ecosystems; the walking pace is adjusted to the age group. For company groups, a long breakfast, a lakeside walk and a relaxed lunch create a natural setting for conversation within the team. For school programmes, take a look at our school trips page.

What to bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light fleece or windbreaker (it is cool by the lake)
• A raincoat or folding umbrella
• Water bottle
• In winter, waterproof boots, gloves and a hat
• A power bank for your phone

Frequently asked questions

Where is Maşukiye?

Maşukiye is a village in the Kartepe district of Kocaeli, known for its streams and the breakfast spots along them.

Where is Lake Gölcük?

Lake Gölcük is a small lake surrounded by forest near Bolu city centre, and its surroundings are protected as a nature park.

What is for lunch on the Abant tour?

The programme includes lunch at Lake Gölcük of sucuk (spicy sausage), chicken or köfte (meatballs) with a soft drink.

How much time is spent at Gölcük?

On the catalogue programme you arrive at Gölcük at around 14:30 and leave for the return at 16:30; this time is used for lunch and free time.