Yedigöller National Park – Turkey's Most Beautiful Autumn Route

My season is neither summer nor winter. My season is spring. I love both spring and autumn. I usually try to make my travels during these seasons. Escape from Istanbul on weekends and TurkeyEnjoying the beauties of ' is my secret formula for happiness in life. Places close to Istanbul These are my first choices for my getaways. To get away from Istanbul, to be in touch with nature, to be satisfied with a thousand and one shades of green Bolu Yedigoller National Park great alternative. Where is Yedigöller, how to get there, accommodation, food and beverage details, what you wonder about the lakes are waiting for you in this article!

Where is Yedigoller?

Yedigöller National Park, is located in the western Black Sea region, north of Bolu city center. It can be a bit difficult in terms of transportation due to the rough terrain it is in. Especially in winter, when it snows, the road from Bolu center can be closed due to weather conditions, be careful when making your Yedigöller travel plan.

It might be a good idea to search for the National Park or one of its facilities before you go. If you are going in winter, I would definitely recommend you to go with winter tires.

Yedigöller National Park Phone: 0 374 215 52 81 ve +0 374 215 36 13 XNUMX or you can get information on Habitat Promenade telephone 0374 229 40 10.

How to go to Yedigoller?

Bolu Yedigoller National Park, one of my favorite destinations for a fall getaway. In order to protect the natural life here, the region was declared a national park in 1965. When I first went to Yedigöller, it was a very secluded place due to the stabilized mountain road after Bolu, it was a place where we could just be alone with the beauties of nature. However, when the road to Bolu was asphalted, Yedigöller became an easily accessible place.

Departure from Bolu Center to Yedigöller

You will see the direction signs on the Istanbul-Ankara road to go from Bolu to Yedigöller. This was the road I mentioned before as stabilized. This road has now become asphalt and transportation to Yedigöller has become easier. It should not be forgotten that the national park suddenly becomes more crowded as it gets easier.

If we give directions; If you take the Istanbul-Ankara highway to Bolu and follow the Yedigöller signs, you will reach Yedigöller after 42 kilometers. Although the road is asphalt, there are ups and downs because it is a mountain road. In other words, it can take up to 1-1,5 hours from Bolu. Since this road crosses the Bolu Mountain, snow and icing can occur from the beginning of December. Therefore, it is useful to get information before going.

Departure from Mengen to Yedigöller

Another alternative way is to come from the side of Mengen. Although the Mengen road is slightly worse than the Bolu road, almost all of the road is asphalt. If you are coming from the direction of Mengen, the distance between Mengen and Yedigöller is 53 kilometers. After Bolu, you can reach Yedigöller by following the direction of Yeniçağa > Mengen > Yazıcık Village. Now, signage has been directed at almost every point, so you won't lose the way. If you are coming from the direction of Istanbul, you will extend the way a little bit if you use this route.

On both roads, the beauty of the forest landscapes that accompany you along the way is priceless.

If you ask how to go to Yedigöller, there are different options.

• To Yedigöller with your own vehicle You can go. If you are going with your own vehicle, you should pay attention to the road condition. It takes 4-5 hours from Istanbul.
• Many tours to Yedigöller, photography and trekking company organizes daily or stay tours. You can choose one of them.
• Public transportation to Yedigöller You can't go with it. If you do not have a car, it may be an alternative to go to Bolu by bus and arrange a taxi from there or hitchhike.

About Yedigöller National Park

The area, which includes different tree, plant and animal species, was given the status of a National Park in 1965. At a total distance of 1500 meters, there are 7 lakes, one of which is dry, of various sizes and depths. All the lakes are within walking distance of each other and they are all landslide lakes. The lakes are connected to each other underground and above ground.

In the settlement plan below, you will see that the lakes are concentrated in 2 sections. We are talking about two plateaus with a height difference of about 100 meters between the two. On the plateau above; Sazlıgöl, İncegöl, Nazlıgöl and Kurugöl, while on the lower plateau, Büyükgöl, Deringöl and Seringöl are located. All of the lakes are within walking distance of each other, they are connected to each other by signposted pathways and the main vehicle road.

Let's take a look at the names and places of these seven lakes hidden among the trees in order: 

Incegol

When you enter Yedigöller National Park from the direction of Bolu, the first lake you will see is İncegöl on the left at the entrance. The size of this lake is 1036 square meters and its depth is only 2 meters. This is a long, thin and tiny lake. There is a path where you can walk around İncegöl.

Sazligol

When you enter Yedigöller National Park from the direction of Bolu, the first lake on the left is İncegöl, and when you follow the path next to İncegöl, the lake you will see is Sazlıgöl. The size of Sazlıgöl is 5950 square meters and its depth is 3 meters. There is a wonderful path around this lake where you can wander around.

Nazligol

When you enter Yedigöller National Park from the direction of Bolu, Nazlıgöl is on the right, about 50 meters below İncegöl. There is a tent camping area with a capacity of 150 tents and a toilet on the shore of Nazlıgöl. It is worth noting that there is no kitchen area at any point in the park for those who want to camp in tents. However, as you can see in the photo above, there are many picnic tables around the camping area and the lake. With an area of ​​15780 square meters, this is the largest lake on the upper plateau of the park, and its depth is 8 meters.

Kurugol

Just below Nazlıgöl is Kurugöl, the lake that you can see filled with water only in rainy times. It was completely dry when we went. It is not possible to give a depth for the lake, whose size is only 500 square meters.

Buyukgol

When you go down 1 kilometer from Nazlıgöl to the lower plateau, you will come to the place between Büyükgöl and Deringöl, where there is a picnic area, parking lot, tent and caravan camping area. This is the heart of the national park and the most crowded point. When you take the car park to your right, the lake on your left is Büyükgöl. The wooden pier and bridge you see in many Yedigöller photos are located around Büyükgöl. There is a path where you can walk around the whole lake. To catch a quiet spot, I suggest you walk to the pier on the opposite shore of the lake, which you see in the photo above. Büyükgöl is the largest lake in the park with an area of ​​24.895 square meters and the deepest lake with a depth of 15 meters.

Deringol

To the south of Büyükgöl, right in front of the parking lot, you will see Deringöl. The path around Deringöl is one of the most enjoyable paths to walk. If you go at the end of November and beginning of December like us, the path will be full of dried leaves, so you have to be careful while walking. There is also a tent camping area on the coast of Deringöl. However, since this is the most popular spot, I would like to remind you that it is very crowded especially in autumn and on weekends. Deringöl has a size of 15.063 square meters and a depth of 10 meters. Between Deringöl and Nazlıgöl, there is a walking path with wonderful views, with a stream flowing by. Waterfall, Wish Fountain, Smiling Rocks and Pythagorean Tree are also located on the steep slope between the two lakes. Do not be intimidated, the arrangement of stairs and paths is so beautiful that the steep climb does not tire you at all.

Seringol

When you follow the waterway down from Büyükgöl, Seringöl is located at the Mengen exit of the national park, fed by the waters of Büyükgöl. Although it is a small lake with an area of ​​1758 square meters, Seringöl is a very beautiful lake with its transition to Büyükgöl, the wooden bridge over the crossing, and the tiny waterfall flowing from the lake to the valley below. At the end of Seringöl, there is the Mengen entrance of the national park and Squirrel Restaurant, one of the two restaurants in the park.

Between the plateau above and the plateau below; There is a Pythagorean tree, a waterfall and a wishing fountain and smiling rocks. You can enjoy the park by expanding your walking route to see these places as well.

Waterfall and Wish Fountain

When you continue behind the area where the toilets are located in the Nazlıgöl tent camping area, you will see the Waterfall, Dilek Fountain and Gülen Kayalar signs. From the point where the sign is located, you will start descending from the upper plateau to the lower plateau. After descending for 200 meters, you will see another sign separating the direction of Selale and Dilek Fountain and the direction of Gülen Kayalar. When you continue from the left, you will reach the point where the Waterfall and Wish Fountain are located, by following a tiny stream on your left.

There are seven faucets side by side in the wish fountain. There is a story that if you drink water from all of them and make a wish, your wish will come true.

When you look behind you from the platform where the Wish Fountain is located, you will see a waterfall with the magnificent beauty you will see in the photo below. In order for you to see the waterfall and the view better, a wooden platform was also made so that the photos look beautiful as you can see!

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Laughing Rocks

If you continue on the right side of the path, not the waterfall side, it will take you to the Smiling Rocks. I did not go to the Smiling Rocks because it was very dark, but a large rock mass will greet you while walking on the path, and it is called Smiling Rocks because the moss on the rock creates a smiling human face.

Pythagorean Tree

If you go down the road from Nazlıgöl to the plateau below, instead of the path, you will see the Pythagorean Tree sign on the right, 20 meters below the bungalows of the Pythagorean Houses on the left. You have to leave the vehicle road and enter the path again. Again, when you follow the path through a wonderful forest, you will see two trees leaning against each other after 100-150 meters. These trees formed a triangle while leaning against each other, hence the name Pythagorean Tree. Pythagorean Tree is a bane, but I recommend you to go down the path and see the beauty of its surroundings.

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Kapankaya View Terrace

Coming from Bolu direction, you can take a break at Kapankaya Landscape View Terrace and see the valley where the lakes are located from above. There is also a memorial tree in the immediate vicinity of this place.

Yedigöller National Park Entrance Fees 2021

If we look at the price list for the year 2021 for Yedigöller National Park entrance;

• Person 8 TL 
• Discount Person 4 TL 
• Bicycle 8 TL 
• Motorcycle and ATV 16 TL 
• Automobile, Pickup Truck 24 TL 
• Minibus 72 TL 
• Midibuses 120 TL 
• Bus 240 TL 
• Tent (daily) 45 TL 
• Caravan (daily) 50 TL

price list above sevengoller.tabiat.gov.tr It was taken from the address, unfortunately there was no information sign at the entrance of the park. We paid 24 TL for the entrance of the vehicle.

Best Time to Go to Yedigoller

National Park beech, hornbeam, oak, alder, maple, elm, aspen, yellow and black pine, fir, hazelnut, linden and ash It is home to many kinds of trees such as trees. The most common tree species is beech. Although these different tree species look magnificent in all seasons, they create a magnificent riot of colors, especially in autumn.

The best time to go to Yedigöller is November, when these color transitions are best seen. Preferably, you must have visited the national park before the end of November. As many trees shed their leaves in the transition to winter, that charming weather is losing its effect a little.

Since November is the most popular period of Yedigöller, it can be very crowded especially on weekends. So try to plan on weekdays if you can. In the blog post above, the photos that turned from yellow to orange were taken in November, and the photos in which the other branches looked dry were taken in December, you can decide when to go yourself by taking the photos as reference.

What to do in Yedigöller?

If you ask what to do in Yedigöller;

• To take photos: Yedigöller National Park offers a magnificent riot of colors as different tree species take on different colors in autumn. Photographing this riot of colors is the most enjoyable activity to do here.
• Picnic: Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Yedigöller is having a picnic. It is forbidden to light a fire until 19:00 in the evening, after 19:00 you can definitely light a fire with a bodyguard. You need a barbecue, barrel, etc. material that will not spread the fire.
• Camping: Of course, camping is the most enjoyable activity here. In addition, I saw mountain bikers.
• Nature Walks: Of course, trekking and nature walks are one of the most enjoyable activities. There are many hiking routes from waterfalls to observation decks. If you go to the waterfall, don't forget to drink water from the wishing fountain just above it and make a wish.

Where to Stay in Yedigöller?

You have 2 options for accommodation in Yedigöller: you can camp in tents or caravans or stay in bungalows.

Camping in Yedigöller

You need to bring your tent and equipment with you to camp in Yedigöller. There are tent camping areas at several different points. There are fountains and toilets right next to the campgrounds. The tents are not powered. Especially if you go to Yedigöller on the weekend, the camping area gets very crowded. It is possible to find more secluded places by getting a little further away from civilization.

If you come with your caravan; You can camp in the parking lot on the shore of Deringöl, there is no special area reserved for caravans.

Yedigöller Habitat Recreation Houses Bungalows

Habitat Recreation Houses Bungalows are operated by a company called Habitat Ormancılık, call +90 8502411581 or [email protected] You can reach it at.

There are bungalows at three different points within Habitat Recreation Houses.

Nazli Houses

If you come to Yedigöller National Park from the direction of Bolu, you will encounter Nazlı Evler, which overlooks Nazlıgöl, right after the entrance cottage. If you ask me, this is the most beautiful bungalow houses in terms of location. Especially if you can find a place in the houses facing the lake side, it would be wonderful.

These houses are 1+1 planned, heated with UFO and fireplace, consist of kitchen, bedroom and living room. It can accommodate up to 4 people. They also have stoves for barbecuing outside. The houses consist of 3 separate buildings that are not very close to each other.

Pythagorean Houses

The Pythagorean Houses are located close to the Pythagorean Tree, between the upper plateau where four of the seven lakes are located and the lower plateau where two are located. The location of these houses is also beautiful, in the forest. I stayed in these houses on my last visit. Tree houses with fireplaces were very enjoyable.

Pythagorean Houses are in 2+1 layout, they have a kitchen and a living room. It offers heating with UFO and fireplace. There are 1 double, 2 single beds and a sofa bed in the houses, so it is possible to stay up to 6 people. Each house has its own patio and outdoor stove. There are 7 different bungalows in the same area.

Cool Houses

Serin Evler is located a little lower than Seringöl at the Mengen exit of the national park. If you stay in houses on a steep slope, you have to walk up to the lakes. If you are considering staying at Habitat Recreation Houses, this should be your last choice.

Like the Pythagorean Houses, Serin Houses are in a 2+1 layout. However, the accommodation capacity here is 4 people. The only advantage of this place is that it is heated with a heater. If you come in a very cold period in winter and say that the electric stove and fireplace do not warm me, you can choose Serin Evleri.

If you want to use the fireplace for heating at home, you need to bring wood with you or buy wood from the establishment. Electric stove and fireplace were enough to warm us, we did not get cold at night. There is a stove and refrigerator in the kitchen, but no utensils, you have to bring your materials to use the kitchen.

Food and Drink in Yedigöller

On the way to Yedigöller; Depending on your arrival direction/path, you can come from Mengen or Bolu by doing your grocery shopping and prepare your own food. However, it is forbidden to light a fire during the day, and if you are going to light a fire in the evening, you have to light it in a high place. You are allowed to light a fire in a tall brazier or barrel.

If you are staying in the bungalows, there is a kitchen, stove and refrigerator so that you can prepare your own food, but there are no materials you will need such as pots, plates, cutlery, do not forget to bring your own materials.

Another option for dining in Yedigöller; You can eat at Habitat Restaurant, Squirrel Restaurant, located in the national park, or from the buffet located on the shore of Büyükgöl. Let me point out that the restaurants are non-alcoholic. The prices of Habitat Restaurant and Squirrel Restaurant for 2021 are in the menu below.

Things to Consider While Going to Yedigöller!

I wanted to list the things you should pay attention to when going to Yedigöller:

• Yedigöller is cold in summer, winter and even rainy. Especially if you are going to stay at night, do not forget to take thick clothes and a raincoat with you.
• There are no places to shop for food and drink in Yedigöller, so be careful to go with supplies, you can shop at the worst kiosk between Deringöl and Büyükgöl.
• It is impossible not to go to Yedigöller and not go hiking, do not forget to bring waterproof sneakers, preferably ankle-length, suitable for walking.
• There are also many stray animals, especially stray dogs, around the lakes. It may be good for the animals to take food with you.

If you have any questions about Yedigöller, you can send them as a comment to this article.

Turkey's most beautiful autumn routes You may also be interested in my article, take a look.

Yedigoller National Park Video

Below you will find the video of my last trip to Yedigöller National Park in December 2021. Don't forget to watch the video, like and subscribe to my channel!

Yedigoller National Park Photos

You can see all of the Yedigöller National Park photos I used in this article below. All photos are copyrighted by me and cannot be used without permission.

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