What is Uzungöl?
Uzungöl — literally "Long Lake" — is an alpine lake and village tucked into a steep, forested valley of the Pontic Mountains in the Çaykara district of Trabzon province. It is the single most recognizable image of Turkey's Eastern Black Sea coast: a still, dark-green lake framed by pine and spruce slopes, with a small lakeside mosque whose minaret and dome reflect perfectly on calm mornings. Wisps of mist regularly settle over the water, especially at dawn, giving the whole scene a soft, almost alpine-Scandinavian mood that feels distinct from the rest of Mediterranean Turkey.
The lake itself formed naturally when a landslide dammed the Haldizen stream (also called the Değirmendere), creating a body of water roughly 1.1 km long. The surrounding village grew up around trout farming, dairy, and — over the past three decades — tourism, and today Uzungöl is one of the most visited nature destinations on the Black Sea coast, drawing large numbers of domestic travelers as well as visitors from the Gulf states and the wider Arab world who come specifically for its cool climate and green scenery during the hot summer months.
Quick facts
| Location | Çaykara district, Trabzon province, Turkey |
| Altitude | ~1,090–1,100 m above sea level |
| How it formed | Landslide dam on the Haldizen (Değirmendere) stream |
| Entrance cost | Free (small parking fees near the lakefront) |
| Distance from Trabzon | ~99 km / 1.5–2 hours by road |
| Nearest airport | Trabzon Airport (TZX) |
| Best time to visit | Late spring to early autumn (May–September) |
| Signature view | The lakeside mosque and its reflection on the water |
| Local specialty | Alabalık (rainbow trout), grilled or pan-fried |
Why travelers come here
Most visitors arrive for one reason: the view. The lakeside mosque, a modest stone-and-timber building right at the water's edge, is Uzungöl's postcard shot, and the wooden boardwalk that circles part of the lake gives photographers dozens of vantage points to capture it. Beyond the photo opportunity, Uzungöl functions as a gateway to the high-altitude yaylas (summer pastures) of the Kaçkar and Pontic ranges — places like Şekersu and Demirkapı — where wooden chalets, grazing cattle, and waterfalls sit above the tree line.
The village itself is compact and walkable, lined with trout restaurants, tea houses, and shops selling local honey, tea, and hazelnut products. In peak season the lakefront gets busy, particularly on summer weekends and during religious holidays, but a short walk along the eastern shore or up into the surrounding hills quickly restores the quiet, misty atmosphere the lake is known for.
Planning your visit
Uzungöl works well as a full-day trip from Trabzon or as an overnight stay if you want the early-morning light without the midday crowds. Because the drive climbs steadily from sea level to over 1,000 meters, expect noticeably cooler temperatures than the coast — worth packing a light jacket even in summer. The village has a good range of hotels and pansiyons overlooking the lake or the valley, and self-drive, private transfer, or organized day tours from Trabzon are all realistic ways to get there.
For the practical side of a visit, see our dedicated guides: how to get to Uzungöl, the best time to visit, and things to do. If you'd rather not organize logistics yourself, guided Uzungöl and Trabzon tours bundle transport, a local guide, and stops at nearby highlights into a single day.
Uzungöl in context
Uzungöl is the anchor of a wider Eastern Black Sea itinerary that typically also includes Sümela Monastery, the cliffside Greek Orthodox monastery carved into a rock face south of Trabzon, and the Ayder plateau further east in Rize province. Many travelers see Uzungöl and Sümela together in a single day, or split them across two days with an overnight in Uzungöl for the sunrise mist. Our nearby attractions guide covers these pairings, travel times, and how to sequence them efficiently.
Who Uzungöl is for
Uzungöl suits nature-focused travelers more than those chasing nightlife or extensive shopping — the appeal here is scenery, quiet, and mountain air rather than an urban visitor experience. It works well for photographers chasing the mosque reflection, families looking for a cooler mountain break from the Black Sea coast, and travelers building a broader Eastern Black Sea itinerary who want a signature natural stop alongside the region's historic sites. It's less suited to travelers with very limited mobility, given the winding drive and the fact that the best experiences involve walking the boardwalk and, ideally, venturing beyond it into the surrounding hills.
A brief note on the name and history
"Uzungöl" translates directly to "Long Lake," a reference to the lake's elongated shape along the valley floor rather than to any historical figure or event. Unlike many of Turkey's ancient sites, Uzungöl's fame is a relatively modern phenomenon — the landslide that created the lake predates written record, but organized tourism to the site really developed over the past few decades, as improved roads made the once-remote valley accessible from Trabzon. That relatively recent history is part of why Uzungöl still feels like a working village first and a tourist destination second, with trout farming, dairy, and local trade continuing alongside the growing visitor economy.
Whether you're chasing the perfect reflection shot, hunting for fresh trout, or simply looking for cooler mountain air after the coast, Uzungöl rewards a slow visit — arrive early, stay for a meal, and take the time to walk beyond the main boardwalk into the quieter parts of the valley.