BOLU LAKES

Bolu is in northwestern Turkey, between Ankara and Istanbul. The region must truly be nature’s gift with its dense woodlands, mountains, lakes, waterfalls and streams. It is blessed with amazing flora and fauna. In autumn the dense woodlands show off their blazing colors later to turn into magical winter wonderlands but the area’s numerous lakes are inviting at all seasons

Sülüklü Göl is rather unattractively named Leech Lake. This lake was actually formed in the early 18th century when tectonic movements created a massive landslide, resulting in a 35 meter deep depression to be later filled with water from underground springs and nearby creeks. And in this rare ecosystem 183 fir, pine and oak trees within the sinkhole have remained upright for over 300 years.  This bizarre occurrence in nature is what makes the lake so utterly fairytale-like.

The Seven Lakes, all connected to each other by underground and surface waterways are probably the most famous of the Bolu lakes. Formed by landslides, the area’s forests are made up of beech, oak, pine and elm trees.

A tectonic lake fed by underground waters, Abant is the most well-known of Bolu’s lakes. Lush forests surround the 45 m deep lake covered with water lilies.