A Virtual Nature Museum
Discovering Nature’s Masterpiece
Amidst a dense forest that almost blocks out the sunlight, the Seven Lakes unfold across two plateaus 800 meters above sea level. A well-marked road guides you through the national park, revealing the beauty of each lake in just a couple of hours. As you seek these lakes, adorned with names reflecting their unique charm, nature accompanies you with blackberries, mushrooms, and the soothing rustle of leaves underfoot. Even after glimpsing the lakes, surprises continue, as if walking through a tree tunnel protecting against the chill winds.
A Journey Through History
The ruins at Koyyeri hint at a Byzantine settlement, adding a historical touch to the natural wonder. The region, sloping from north to south, boasts diverse elevations, with Egrikiris Tepesi hill at 488 meters as the highest point and Kirazcati at 465 meters as the lowest. Home to one of Anatolia’s enchanting mixed forests, the area becomes a virtual museum of plants and trees. Beech trees dominate, accompanied by oak, hornbeam, alder, pine, fir, birch, elm, poplar, ash, hazelnut Yedigoller, and linden. The meticulous arrangement of trees paints the Seven Lakes in a palette of red, green, yellow, brown, and purple, resembling a pastoral canvas.
Seasonal Splendors
Every season brings a unique look and color to the Seven Lakes. Spring welcomes colorful rockroses, while summer sees cyclamen around tree roots. Water lilies grace the lake surface, blooming through both summer and fall. The stroll through tree-shaded paths becomes a soul-soothing experience, transporting visitors to other realms.
Wildlife Encounter
Although a deer breeding station is noted on the regional settlement plan, officials clarify that there are currently no deer in the area. Those raised in past months have been released into the wild. Every nook and cranny of the Seven Lakes reveals a different world, including open spaces with picnic tables. In this oxygen-rich environment Istanbul Old City Tours, satiating your appetite is possible with self-brought provisions, as there are no shops nearby. A day or two may not suffice to explore the full beauty of the Seven Lakes, but wandering through the silent forest, immersed in myriad scents and witnessing reflections on the lake, defines the essence of autumn at the Seven Lakes.
