Karagöl (Çubuk)

A small crater lake 28 kilometres from Çubuk and 68 from Ankara, at 1,630 metres in the wooded basin where Kavak Mountain meets Yıldırım Mountain. It sits between volcanic domes in a closed basin; the surface is 23.5 hectares and the depth reaches 70 metres. The volcanic rocks around it date to 12 to 21 million years ago; the district governorate says the lake formed in the hollow of a landslide from Işık Mountain. It is Karagöl Nature Park, operated by the Metropolitan Municipality; there are embankments on the shore and a country restaurant, toilets and a car park at the entrance. Picnicking and nature walks are allowed, entering the water is forbidden. Oak, juniper, poplar and pine forest; between the Anatolian and Black Sea climates, summer days are cool.