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Getting to Uzungöl from Trabzon
Uzungöl lies about 99 km southeast of Trabzon city, in the Çaykara district, and the trip typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours by road. There is no rail or scheduled air service directly to the lake, so every route into Uzungöl funnels through Trabzon first, whether you arrive by air, long-distance bus, or your own vehicle.
By air: flying into Trabzon
The overwhelming majority of visitors reach Uzungöl by first flying into Trabzon Airport (TZX), which sits directly on the coast about 6 km from the city center. Trabzon has frequent domestic flights from Istanbul, Ankara, and other major Turkish cities, plus seasonal and charter international routes serving European and Gulf travelers who come specifically for Black Sea nature tourism. If you're booking from abroad, it's worth comparing fares well in advance — sites like cheap flights to Trabzon can help you track routes and pricing before locking in dates, since summer weekends into TZX fill up quickly.
Once you land, Uzungöl is a further 1.5–2 hour drive, so plan your arrival time with that transfer in mind — an early flight gives you enough daylight to reach the lake and settle in before evening.
By road: driving from Trabzon
The standard driving route follows the coastal highway east from Trabzon to the town of Of, then turns inland and climbs south through Çaykara before reaching Uzungöl. The road is paved and signposted throughout, but it narrows and winds through river valleys and forested hillsides as it gains altitude, so the 99 km covers more time than a flat highway distance would suggest. Allow the full 1.5–2 hours, more if you stop for photos or trout lunch along the way, and expect slower conditions in fog, rain, or winter snow.
Self-driving gives you the most flexibility — you can detour to Sümela Monastery or a yayla village on the way — but a rental car isn't required. Taxis and private transfer services operate regularly between Trabzon and Uzungöl, and many hotels can arrange pickup directly from the airport or bus terminal.
By bus and minibus (dolmuş)
Budget travelers can take a public minibus from Trabzon's main bus terminal (otogar) toward Çaykara, then transfer to a local dolmuş running the final stretch into Uzungöl village. This is the cheapest option but the least convenient — departures are less frequent than private transport, and connections can involve waiting time, especially outside peak summer season. If your schedule is tight or you're traveling with luggage, a private transfer or organized tour is generally a better use of time.
Organized tours and transfers
For a hassle-free trip, many visitors book a day tour or private transfer directly from Trabzon that includes Uzungöl alongside Sümela Monastery and sometimes the Ayder plateau. These trips remove the need to navigate the mountain roads yourself and typically include a knowledgeable local guide. See our full list of Uzungöl tours for options, or check current Uzungöl and Trabzon tours for itineraries that combine the lake with other Black Sea highlights in a single day.
Suggested route summary
| Leg | Mode | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Home country → Trabzon (TZX) | Flight | Varies |
| Trabzon Airport → Trabzon city | Taxi/shuttle | 15–20 min |
| Trabzon → Of → Çaykara → Uzungöl | Car, transfer, or dolmuş | 1.5–2 hours |
Combining the trip with Sümela Monastery
Since Sümela Monastery sits roughly on the route between Trabzon and Uzungöl, most self-drivers and tour operators build it into the same trip rather than treating it as a separate outing. If you're driving yourself, plan for an extra two to three hours to visit the monastery grounds, including the uphill walk to the cliffside complex, on top of the driving time to Uzungöl. This is the single most common way travelers structure their first day in the region, and it means the "getting there" leg of your trip can double as sightseeing rather than pure transit.
Renting a car vs. hiring a driver
For travelers comfortable with mountain roads, renting a car in Trabzon offers the most freedom — you can stop for photos, detour to a yayla, or adjust your schedule on the fly. Rental agencies operate out of Trabzon Airport and the city center, and roads are well-signposted in both Turkish and English road markings. That said, hairpin sections above Çaykara can be intimidating for drivers unused to mountain driving, especially in wet weather, and parking in Uzungöl village itself gets tight in peak season.
Hiring a private driver or transfer removes that concern entirely — you're dropped close to your hotel or the lakefront without needing to navigate unfamiliar roads yourself, and a local driver will typically know the fastest and safest route based on current conditions. This option costs more than self-driving but less than a fully guided tour, and suits travelers who want door-to-door convenience without a group itinerary.
Seasonal road conditions
The Of–Çaykara–Uzungöl road is paved and maintained year-round, but conditions vary meaningfully by season. Spring and early summer bring occasional rain and localized fog that can slow the drive; peak summer sees the heaviest traffic, particularly on weekends; autumn is generally clear but daylight hours shorten; and winter can bring snow and icy patches on the higher stretches near Çaykara, where caution or winter tires are advisable. Whatever the season, check conditions before an early-morning departure if you're timing your arrival for sunrise photography.
Once you've mapped your route, check the Uzungöl location and map page for coordinates and orientation, and read our best time to visit guide to time the drive around the clearest weather and lightest crowds.