Uzungol is a long, narrow lake cradled between the forested ridges of the Pontic Alps, about 95 kilometres southeast of Trabzon. A slender mosque stands at the water's edge, the slopes rise green and steep on every side, and on most mornings a low mist drifts across the surface — the image that has made this valley one of the Black Sea region's signature landscapes.
- Region
- Çaykara, Trabzon
- Lake elevation
- ~1,090 m
- Setting
- Pontic Alps
- High season
- July – August
01Why Uzungol
Most visitors to the eastern Black Sea coast come for exactly this combination: an alpine lake, the highland plateaus known as yaylalar, and weather that turns from clear to misty within an hour. Uzungol delivers all three within a single valley. A formed naturally by a landslide that dammed the Haldizen stream, the lake sits low enough to reach by road yet high enough to feel genuinely mountainous, with the famous mosque silhouette reflected in still water when the wind drops.
The mist over Uzungol is not a flaw in the view — for most photographers, it is the view.
02Route options
- Classic day trip · 8–10 hours · Trabzon → Of → Çaykara → Uzungol lakeside, with free time around the shore and mosque
- Lake + plateau · full day · Adds the higher Şekersu plateau above the village for alpine pasture views above the tree line
- Highlands 4x4 · full day+ · Uzungol combined with rougher tracks up to the Pontic yaylalar by off-road vehicle
- Self-drive · flexible · Rental car from Trabzon along the D915 corridor, roughly 1.5–2 hours each way
- Private guided · flexible · Driver-guide at your own pace, with stops for tea houses and viewpoints en route
032026 tour types & prices
| Tour type | Duration | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Shared group day trip (from Trabzon) | 8–10 hours | €25 – €50 |
| Lake + Şekersu plateau tour | full day | €45 – €75 |
| Highlands 4x4 plateau tour | full day+ | €60 – €110 |
| Private car with driver (per vehicle) | full day | €120 – €220 |
| Self-drive rental (per day, car only) | flexible | €30 – €60 |
All figures are estimated 2026 ranges and prices vary by season, group size and exactly which plateaus are included. Shared group tours are the cheapest per person but follow a fixed timetable; a private car costs more overall but lets you linger when the mist clears and leave before the midday crowds arrive.
Live prices & availability
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04Best time to go
May to September is the most reliable window. Late spring and early summer bring the greenest plateaus and the fullest streams, while July and August are warmest and busiest. Autumn turns the surrounding forest gold and tends to bring the heaviest, most photogenic mist. In winter the lake itself stays accessible by road, but snow can close the higher yaylalar and the off-road plateau tracks.
05What to see
Around the lake:
- The lakeside mosque — the slender minaret that defines almost every Uzungol photograph
- The shore promenade and wooden footbridges over the Haldizen stream
- Tea houses and trout restaurants serving the local Black Sea catch
- Forested viewpoints on the slopes above the village
Higher up in the plateaus:
- Şekersu plateau — the closest yayla, reached by a short climb above Uzungol
- The higher Pontic pastures above the tree line, best by 4x4
- Alpine meadows and grazing herds in the summer months
- Panoramas back down over the valley when the mist lifts
06Frequently asked questions
How long is the Uzungol day trip from Trabzon?
A standard shared day tour runs roughly 8–10 hours door to door. The drive each way is about 1.5–2 hours, leaving 3–4 hours at the lake and plateaus. Private tours can be shortened or extended on request.
What is the best time of year to visit Uzungol?
May to September is the most reliable window for green plateaus and open mountain roads. July and August are busiest. Autumn brings colour and heavier mist, while winter access to the higher plateaus can be limited by snow.
How much does an Uzungol tour cost in 2026?
As an estimated 2026 range, a shared group day trip from Trabzon is about €25–50 per person. Private cars with a driver are roughly €120–220 per vehicle, and extended Highlands tours add plateau stops for more. Prices vary by season and group size.
Is Uzungol worth visiting if it is misty?
Yes. The drifting mist over the lake and the mosque silhouette is part of the appeal and is what most photographers come for. Clear days reveal the surrounding peaks; misty days give the softer, classic Uzungol mood.
Can I combine Uzungol with the highland plateaus?
Yes. Many tours add nearby yaylalar such as Şekersu or the higher Pontic plateaus by 4x4. These extended itineraries run longer and cost more but show the alpine pastures above the tree line, not just the lake.