Uzungöl — Turkey’s Best-Known Black Sea Lake: How Far, What to Do, Where to Stay
Uzungöl is a mountain lake in the Çaykara district of Trabzon, ringed by pine forest and overlooked by a wooden village with its famous lakeside mosque. It is the first stop for Gulf families on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, and the Uzungöl tour is a fixed part of Seen Travels’ Trabzon VIP packages with a private car and driver.
Quick facts
Things to do in Uzungöl
Walk the lake loop
A paved path circles the whole lake in about an hour, with benches and views of the mosque and the mountains. Go early before the coaches arrive, or late afternoon when the fog rolls down.
The mosque and the wooden village
The lakeside mosque with its minaret over the water is the picture everyone knows. Behind it, village lanes with wooden houses and restaurants serving fresh trout from the valley farms.
Jeep safari to the highlands
From the village, jeeps climb to the Şekersu and Demirkapı highlands above 2,000 m, with summer hamlets and open meadows. Half a day, ideal for those who prefer views to walking.
Sultan Murat plateau
On the mountain road above Uzungöl, famous for clouds passing beneath your feet at sunset. Pick a clear day and bring warm clothes even in summer.
Boats and bikes
Small rowing boats, bicycles and e-bikes are rented on the shore, the children’s favourite way to explore the lake.
Tea and sweets on the shore
Lakeside cafés serve Turkish tea and local sweets with a direct view; sunset here is one of the trip’s best moments.
Where to stay in Uzungöl
Best time to visit
May to October brings mild weather (15 to 25°C in summer) and peak greenery, with soft afternoon fog. July and August are busiest. In winter Uzungöl turns into a snow scene and the road may need chains; many hotels stay open.
How to get there
Fly to Trabzon airport (about 1 hour 50 minutes from Istanbul), then drive about two hours via Of and Çaykara. With Seen, a private car and driver meets you at the airport, and the Uzungöl tour is included in the Trabzon VIP packages together with a 5-star hotel, the city tour and the Hıdırnebi plateau.
Uzungöl FAQ
How far is Uzungöl from Trabzon?
About 100 km south-east of Trabzon city, 1.5 to 2 hours by car depending on the road and season. From Trabzon airport the drive is about two hours.
Is one day enough?
Yes. A full-day tour from Trabzon covers the lake, the village, lunch and the highlands. For the morning fog and the sunset, spend a night in a wooden lakeside hotel.
Is Uzungöl suitable for children and seniors?
Yes. The lake path is flat and paved, boats and bikes are available and the restaurants are family-friendly. The highland jeep trips suit children over five.
Is it cold in summer?
Mild by day and cool at night; bring a light jacket even in August and a raincoat, as rain is frequent on the Black Sea coast.
Uzungöl or Ayder?
Uzungöl is a lake and village at 1,100 m, good for a calm family day. Ayder is a higher plateau (about 1,350 m) in Rize with hot springs and a rafting valley, about 3 hours from Trabzon. Many visitors do both in one trip.
Is the Uzungöl tour part of Seen’s packages?
Yes. The Trabzon VIP packages include the Uzungöl tour, the Trabzon city tour and the Hıdırnebi plateau with a private car and driver, plus a 5-star hotel with breakfast and airport pick-up. Prices are published on the Trabzon prices page; pay on arrival.
Ready for Uzungöl? We arrange the hotel, the car and the tours, and you pay on arrival.
Ask about the Trabzon package on WhatsApp