When do the leaves change in Pontic Mountains — Northern Turkey?
Turkey's Black Sea range turns beech, oak and chestnut forests from the Kaçkar peaks down to the coast, one of the last major stands of Colchic mixed forest.
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Known for
Things to do in fall in Pontic Mountains — Northern Turkey
3 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Kaçkar Mountains National Park
National parkTypically October 8–October 21
Turkey's Black Sea range crests at Mount Kaçkar, 3,937m, its lower slopes holding Colchic forest of oriental beech, sweet chestnut and alder that runs down toward the coast. Color climbs the mountainside through October, with the second and third weeks typically showing the most vivid red and gold.
Don’t miss: Colchic beech-chestnut forest belt · Mount Kaçkar (3,937m) · Black Sea coastal approach
Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park
National parkTypically October 15–November 15
Seven small lakes formed by ancient landslides sit inside a beech and hornbeam forest at 900m in Bolu Province, the westernmost reach of Turkey's Black Sea forest belt. The trees color from mid-October into November, ringing Büyükgöl and the other lakes in red, yellow and rust doubled in still water.
Don’t miss: seven landslide-dammed lakes · beech-hornbeam forest at 900m · reflective lake-shore color
Uzungöl
LakeA landslide-dammed lake at 1,100m in Trabzon's Çaykara district, formed when the Haldizen Stream was blocked and now ringed by spruce forest and chestnut-farmed slopes descending toward the Black Sea coast. Forest around the shoreline turns through September and October ahead of highland snow.
Don’t miss: landslide-formed mountain lake · 1,100m elevation · chestnut-farmed valley slopes
Frequently asked
- What are the best things to do in fall in Pontic Mountains — Northern Turkey?
- The iconic stops: Kaçkar Mountains National Park, Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park, Uzungöl. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in Pontic Mountains — Northern Turkey?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Kaçkar Mountains National Park, Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park, Uzungöl; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.