Uzungöl Highlands: A Guide to Karester, Demirkapı and Haldizen

Most visitors to Uzungöl stroll around the lake, enjoy a cup of tea and head back. Yet this famous lake in Çaykara is really the gateway to a much larger world of highland plateaus. The Uzungöl highlands, including Karester, Demirkapı, Şekersu and Haldizen, reveal a completely different side of the Black Sea, with highland houses scattered across the slopes above the lake, wide pastures and peaks peeking through the clouds. In this guide, we cover what you'll see on each plateau, the best season to visit, who each one suits and how to plan your day without wearing yourself out.

Why are the Uzungöl highlands a different experience?

Uzungöl sits at an altitude of around 1,100 meters. It is a landslide-dammed lake, formed when rocks tumbling down the slopes blocked the Haldizen Stream. Today the lakeshore is a lively tourism hub with hotels, cafés and a walking path. The plateaus above, however, are still mainly home to highland families who move up with their livestock in the summer months.

Even over a short distance, the difference is striking:

• The scenery changes: On the lakeshore you're inside the valley. On the plateaus you look down over the valley and the lake.
• The crowds thin out: The lake area can get busy in summer, but up on the plateaus you'll often hear nothing but the wind and cowbells.
• The air gets cooler: Temperatures drop noticeably as you climb. Even in mid-July, you may need a jacket by late afternoon.
• Highland culture is alive: Wooden and stone highland houses, pastures, dairy products and the simple rhythm of plateau life carry on here to this day.

Karester Plateau: Uzungöl from above

Known locally as Garester, Karester is the first stop for anyone who wants a bird's-eye view of Uzungöl. Highland houses dotted across the hilltops, lush green slopes and the lake stretching out below make this one of the most photographed views in the region. On cloudy days, the lake sometimes appears through the mist for a moment before vanishing again, a special treat for patient photographers.

Who is it for? Karester is a great starting point for those who want a high viewpoint without a long hike, for photography enthusiasts and for families who want a quick taste of highland air.

Local tip: The clearest lake views are usually in the early morning. In the afternoon, mist rising from the valley can obscure the scenery.

Demirkapı and Şekersu: Highland houses and quiet pastures

Highland houses and pastures on Demirkapı Plateau — Photo: Hamdigumus, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Demirkapı Plateau is one of the best-known highlands above Uzungöl. With highland houses clustered in the middle of wide pastures, streams running alongside and surrounding ridges, it offers a classic Eastern Black Sea plateau scene. In summer, highland families graze their animals here and make butter and cheese.

Şekersu is a quieter plateau that takes its name from its clear, light-tasting spring waters. With its pastures, small pools and streambeds, it's ideal for picnics and short walks. Both plateaus appeal to visitors who'd rather spend a few hours in nature than follow a packed activity schedule.

• Highland houses are private property, so respect residents' privacy when taking photos and don't enter courtyards without permission.
• Keep your distance from animals in the pastures, especially cows with calves.
• Take your rubbish with you, as there is no regular waste collection on every plateau.

Haldizen Plateau: Where Uzungöl's water comes from

The wide meadows of Haldizen Plateau — Photo: Hamdigumus, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

The Haldizen Stream, which feeds Uzungöl, flows down from the plateau and mountains it is named after. Haldizen is higher and wilder than the other plateaus. Bare rocky ridges, broad meadows and patches of snow lingering in sheltered hollows until midsummer define its character.

The upper reaches of Haldizen are home to small glacial lakes, and the area is a favorite trekking ground for experienced hikers. Reaching these lakes, however, requires a long, steep hike. The weather changes very quickly, and mist can reduce visibility to zero within minutes. For this reason, the upper parts of Haldizen are recommended only for experienced, properly equipped groups accompanied by a guide who knows the area. For families, simply spending time in the meadows on the lower part of the plateau is a wonderful experience in itself.

Things to do in the Uzungöl highlands

Activities on the plateaus are simple but deeply rewarding. Here are the main things you can actually do in the area:

• Nature walks: The trails between the plateaus offer everything from short meadow strolls to full-day mountain hikes.
• Photography: The lake view from Karester, Demirkapı's highland houses, Haldizen's ridges and the morning mist are top subjects for photographers.
• Highland breakfast: The region's butter, cheese and kuymak taste even better up on the plateau. You can also find local breakfasts at venues around the lake.
• Paragliding: Around Uzungöl, tandem flights glide from a high launch point down toward the lake. Since you fly with a pilot, no experience is needed. Add this experience to your Uzungöl trip with our paragliding activity.
• ATV and off-road tours: The ATV tracks around the lake are especially popular with young people and adventure lovers.
• Camping: Some visitors pitch tents on the plateaus in summer. A good sleeping bag is essential for the chilly nights.
• Highland festivals: The highland festivals held across the Eastern Black Sea in summer, with horon dancing and the kemençe, are the best way to see highland culture come alive. Dates change every year, so check the current calendar in advance.

When to visit the Uzungöl highlands and how much time to allow

Seasonal recommendations

• Late June – September: The liveliest time on the plateaus. Highland families are up in the mountains, the pastures are green and the roads are generally open.
• October: The autumn colors are stunning, but most highland houses are empty by now and the weather cools quickly. The first snow is possible, so be sure to check the forecast when planning.
• November – May: The high plateaus are under snow and the roads are often closed. During this period, snowy Uzungöl itself takes center stage, so consider the lakeshore and winter activities instead of the plateaus.

Who is it for?

The highlands are ideal for couples looking to escape the crowds, nature photographers, hikers and families who want to show their children highland life. For guests with limited mobility, viewpoints reachable by vehicle and the lakeshore are a better fit than long hikes.

How much time should you allow?

Half a day is enough for the lake area alone. If you'd like to see one or two plateaus in addition to the lake, plan a full day departing from Trabzon. Those planning to hike the upper reaches of Haldizen should allow at least two days with an overnight stay in the area.

Common mistakes

• Underestimating the highland weather: On a T-shirt day by the lake, you may still feel cold up on the plateau. Always bring a windbreaker or a cardigan.
• Wearing the wrong shoes: Meadows are muddy and slippery after rain, so choose shoes with non-slip soles.
• Overpacking the day: Trying to squeeze Uzungöl, several plateaus and Sümela into a single day leads to fatigue and leaves no time to enjoy the views.
• Not planning for mist: Afternoon mist is common. If views are your priority, visit the plateaus in the morning and the lakeshore in the afternoon.
• Underestimating narrow highland roads: The roads are narrow, winding and rough in places, which can be tiring for drivers unfamiliar with the area.

Exploring the Uzungöl highlands with Sümela Tur

For first-time visitors, the easiest option is our Uzungöl Tour departing from Trabzon. On the group tour, transportation, guiding and insurance are covered in a single price, so all you have to do is enjoy the scenery. During your free time in Uzungöl, you can walk around the lake, enjoy a local breakfast or join an activity such as paragliding.

If you'd also like to head up to the plateaus, set the schedule at your own pace and catch the early morning light for photos, we recommend our private tour for families or groups. On a private tour, the vehicle and driver are reserved exclusively for you, we plan the timing together, and you enjoy the comfort of traveling the narrow highland roads with a driver who knows the area. Leave parking, routes and timing to us and simply focus on the views.

If you want to get to know Black Sea highland culture more closely, our Hıdırnebi Tour in Maçka takes you to another plateau above the clouds, while those who want history and nature combined can visit the monastery in the heart of the Altındere Valley on our Sümela Tour. If you're curious about the sights along Uzungöl's lakeshore, check out our article 7 places to visit in Uzungöl, and for another high plateau nearby, take a look at our Sultan Murat Plateau guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the Uzungöl Tour start, and how long does it last?

The Uzungöl Tour is a day trip departing from Trabzon and starts in the morning. Exact departure and return times may vary by season, so you can get the current schedule via our WhatsApp line when booking.

What is included in the tour price?

On our group tours, transportation, guiding services and insurance are included in the price as standard. Whether meals, entrance fees and optional activities such as paragliding are included varies by tour, so please confirm the latest details on the tour page or by calling us.

Do you offer private tours to the Uzungöl highlands?

Yes. We organize private tours with a dedicated vehicle and driver for your family or group of friends. Just let us know which plateaus you'd like to see besides the lake, how many people are in your group and your preferred dates, and we'll put together the best plan based on weather and road conditions.

Can you visit the plateaus in October?

In early October, if the weather cooperates, the plateaus are gorgeous in their autumn colors, but there is a chance of the first snow and thick mist. During this period, plans depend on the weather, and a private tour lets you adjust the itinerary at the last minute.

How can I book?

You can book online through our tour pages or message us on WhatsApp at 0532 170 91 54 with your preferred date and number of guests. You can also reach our office at 0462 321 08 03.

Conclusion

Seeing Uzungöl only from the lakeshore is like reading just the first page of this beautiful landscape. With Karester's bird's-eye views, the peaceful pastures of Demirkapı and Şekersu, and the high-altitude wilderness of Haldizen, the Uzungöl highlands turn your trip into a true Black Sea experience. Choose the right season and set aside your mornings for the views, and it will be one of the most memorable days of your Trabzon trip. Leave the planning to us and simply enjoy the highland air.