Uzungöl, which means "long lake," is one of the most photographed spots on Türkiye's Black Sea coast, and it earns the attention. It's a narrow lake set deep in a green valley, with a small mosque on the shore, spruce forest climbing the slopes, and mist that settles over the water on cooler mornings. The village shares the lake's name and sits right beside it, about an hour and a half inland from Trabzon.
Is it worth visiting? For most travelers heading to the Eastern Black Sea, yes. It works as an easy day trip from Trabzon or as a quieter overnight base if you want more time in the highlands. Here's what to do there, how to get there, and when to go.
Where is Uzungöl and how to get there
Uzungöl sits in the Çaykara district of Trabzon province, about 95 to 100 kilometers south of the city. By road it's around an hour and a half, on a route that climbs from the coast through tea-covered hills and small villages. The drive is part of the appeal, so it's worth not rushing it.
There are two easy ways to visit. The most common is a day trip from Trabzon, either on a shared group tour or a private one, often combined with other stops along the way. If you're planning to stay overnight instead, you can travel straight from Trabzon Airport to the village by private transfer and skip the round trip from the city.
Uzungöl day tours from Trabzon
Things to do in Uzungöl
Uzungöl rewards a slow pace more than a packed schedule. Here are the things most worth your time.
The lake and the lakeside mosque
The lake is the main draw, and the classic view is the small mosque on its shore, its minaret reflected in the water. A flat path runs along part of the shoreline, which makes for an easy walk with the forest and peaks on every side. Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times, before and after the day-trip crowds.
The highland plateaus
Above the village, a string of highland plateaus, or yaylas, open onto wide alpine meadows and long views. Places like Şekersu and Demirkapı are reachable by road and show the Black Sea highlands at their best: grazing pastures, wooden houses, and clouds that sit at eye level. The roads up are narrow and winding, so many travelers reach them with a driver or on a tour rather than self-driving.
Paragliding over the lake
For a different view, you can take a tandem paragliding flight over the valley. You fly with a professional pilot, so no experience is needed, and the run down toward the lake gives you the forests, the village, and the surrounding highlands from above. It's one of the more memorable things to do here, weather permitting.
Trout, tea, and the village
Down at lake level, the food is simple and good. Fresh trout is the local specialty, served at restaurants right by the water, and the tea gardens are made for a slow afternoon. If you want a quieter stop, the village museum holds the Dursun Ali İnan collection, three decades of wooden sculptures, folk pieces, and a traditional cultural house that show how highland life used to look.
Day trip or overnight?
Most people see Uzungöl on a day trip from Trabzon, and a day is enough for the lake, a walk, and lunch. But the village changes once the tour buses leave. Mornings and evenings are calm and often misty, the light is better for photos, and you have time to reach a plateau or two without watching the clock.
If you can spare a night, it's worth staying. The simplest way is a private transfer in from Trabzon Airport, then your own time on the ground. For a more active version, a 2-day adventure tour combines camping, hiking, and paragliding in the surrounding Soğanlı mountains, which suits travelers who want more than the lakeside view.
When is the best time to visit Uzungöl?
Late spring through early autumn, roughly May to September, is the best window. The plateaus are open, the meadows are green, and the roads up to the highlands are at their easiest. Summer is the busiest, especially with visitors who come for the cool mountain air. Autumn brings color to the forests and thinner crowds. Whenever you come, expect some mist and rain, which is part of how this region looks and feels.
Uzungöl works best as part of a wider Black Sea trip. If you're still mapping out your days, our guide to how many days you need in Trabzon shows how the lake fits alongside Sumela Monastery and the highlands.