Ulugöl

Ulugöl is a landslide dammed lake surrounded by forest in the interior of Ordu, within the boundaries of the villages of Haruniye and Süleymaniye in the Gölköy district. Wikipedia presents it as the largest lake in Ordu and places it about 1200 metres above sea level. The lake and its surroundings were declared a nature park in 2009, and Anadolu Agency refers to Ulugöl as the 36th nature park of Turkey. The Ordu Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism draws particular attention to the high landscape value of the area. The formation of the lake goes back to a landslide. The hollow left by the mass that broke away from the slope gradually filled with water, and three separate lakes appeared within the same landslide area. The largest of them is Ulugöl, while Çepekli Göl and the other small lake are largely covered with reeds. Some promotional texts call it a crater lake, but the Provincial Directorate also writes that the three lakes in the area are landslide dammed lakes. Wikipedia notes that the lake is fed by groundwater and surface water and that its average depth is 15 metres. The nature park covers an area of about 26.5 hectares, between elevations of 1194 and 1240 metres. According to Wikipedia, the largest lake in the park occupies about 7 hectares. The water is clean, and Wikipedia classifies it as first class water; its temperature varies between 6.6 and 22 degrees depending on the season. Carp live naturally in the lake, and trout were later stocked as well. The Provincial Directorate and Hürriyet both stress that a trout known as the Abant trout lives in the large lake. A forest of beech, hornbeam, alder and maple surrounds the lake. Wikipedia writes that spiked water milfoil is common in the lake water and floating pondweed in places close to the shore, while the white water lily was brought to the lake from outside. Animals such as wild boar, fox, marten, weasel, squirrel and hedgehog are reported to live in the forest. This mixed broadleaf forest makes Ulugöl one of the most colourful lakes of the Black Sea in autumn. The Provincial Directorate describes how the harmony of colours created by the yellowing leaves in autumn enchants everyone who sees it. The autumn colours do not last long, so timing matters. According to a CNN Türk report, five to six thousand people a day came to the lake on the days when the colours were at their richest. A hiker quoted in the same report reminds readers that the leaves can fall within a week. According to Anadolu Agency, the park welcomed more than 300 thousand visitors in the first ten months of 2023. Those who want to avoid the crowds should choose weekdays and early mornings. The walking path around the lake is at the heart of a visit. After completing the path, go up to the viewing terrace and watch the reflection of the trees on the surface of the water; on still mornings the lake looks like a mirror. Then stop at the small reedy lakes and see how different they look from the large lake. The nature park has picnic areas, fountains, a children's playground and facilities suited to a day of rest. There are also country houses for overnight stays in the park, and Wikipedia writes that the Ulugöl Festival is held here in July. Going to Ulugöl by private vehicle is the most practical option. Simply head from central Ordu towards Tokat and, after Gölköy, follow the signs pointing to the park. The sources give different figures for the distance of the lake, between 9 and 17 kilometres from the centre of Gölköy and between 70 and 80 kilometres from the provincial centre. Those who want to use public transport should get current information in the district about reaching the lake once they arrive in Gölköy. Because of the altitude the air is noticeably cooler than on the coast, so it is a good idea to take an extra layer even in summer. In winter road and park conditions can change, so check the current situation with the authorities before setting out.