Uzungöl

Uzungöl is a highland village in the Çaykara district of Trabzon Province, in the Eastern Black Sea region of Türkiye. Its name means “long lake”, and the settlement is arranged around a dark, narrow body of water that formed when a landslide blocked a mountain stream. What sets Uzungöl apart from most villages in the region is the way the lake, the steep forested slopes and a small mosque standing directly on the shoreline all sit within a few minutes’ walk of one another, so the whole place can be understood on foot in a single visit.

Where Uzungöl Is and How the Lake Came to Be

The village lies high above the coast, in the mountains that rise inland from Trabzon, at an elevation of roughly 1,090 metres. It occupies the floor of a valley that runs between steep, wooded ridges. The lake itself was not made by people: a landslide blocked the Haldizen stream, damming the valley and letting water collect behind the debris. The result is a long, narrow strip of water, roughly a kilometre from end to end and only a few hundred metres across, fed by streams and by the very heavy rainfall that this part of the Black Sea coast receives. Because the lake and its immediate surroundings are protected as a nature park, the shoreline and the forest around it have remained largely green, and the valley keeps a cool, damp atmosphere even in the middle of summer.

A Village Shaped by Water and Weather

Uzungöl is a village rather than a resort, although tourism has become its main activity. The built area is spread around the lake and up the lower slopes, with the road running along one side of the water. Older local houses were built with timber frames over stone foundations and steep, pitched roofs designed to shed the region’s constant rain and heavy winter snow. Wooden balconies and overhanging upper floors are part of that tradition, and the deep eaves keep water away from the walls. In recent decades many newer buildings have appeared in a distinct chalet style, with exposed wood and wide windows facing the lake, so the village now shows two architectural layers side by side: the older Black Sea village house and the newer timber guesthouse form. Walking through the streets, this mix is one of the most noticeable features of Uzungöl.

The Mosque on the Shore

The most photographed structure in Uzungöl is the mosque that stands close to the water. It is a compact building with a central dome and a single slender minaret, finished in pale plaster, and it is visible from much of the lake because the shoreline around it is open. Its position, at the point where the village meets the lake, makes it the visual anchor of the settlement and the clearest single landmark for a visitor trying to orient themselves. Around it, the ground is level enough to walk comfortably along the edge of the water.

Forest, Mountains and the Yayla Tradition

Uzungöl sits inside the highland belt that defines the Eastern Black Sea mountains. Dense stands of spruce and beech cover the slopes, mixed with alder and other moisture-loving trees along the streams. This is genuine temperate rainforest country: the ridges above the village are frequently wrapped in cloud, and mist drifting over the water is a normal part of the local weather rather than an occasional event. The wider area is also part of Türkiye’s yayla, or highland pasture, culture. For generations, families moved with their livestock from the lower valleys to summer pastures higher in the mountains, and that seasonal movement shaped settlement patterns across Çaykara. Higher up, reached by mountain roads, are summer plateaus such as Sultan Murat Yaylası, where the pasture landscape and the traditional highland way of life can still be seen in season.

Local History and Community

The Çaykara area has a long and layered history connected to the valleys behind Trabzon. The wider district is known for a Greek-derived dialect that some older residents still speak alongside Turkish, a reminder of how mixed and old the communities of these valleys are. In the twentieth century, emigration changed Uzungöl profoundly: many families left for Germany and other parts of Europe, and the money they sent home helped rebuild houses and reshape the village. From the later twentieth century onward, visitors began to arrive in growing numbers, and the local economy gradually shifted from farming and livestock toward hosting travellers. That shift is visible in the village’s appearance today, but the surrounding pastures and forests still belong to the older agricultural world.

What You Can Realistically See on Foot

The core of Uzungöl is small enough to explore without a vehicle. The main experience is a walk along the lakeshore, where the water, the forested slopes and the mosque can all be taken in from close range. Paths and minor roads lead a short way into the surrounding woods, and the terrain near the lake is mostly gentle, though the side valleys and higher slopes become steep quickly. Because the village is compact, a few hours are enough to cover the central area, while a full day allows time to sit by the water, follow the shoreline in both directions and walk a little way up toward the surrounding hills for a wider view of the valley. The weather changes fast here, so waterproof clothing and shoes with grip are more useful than formal footwear.

Getting to Uzungöl

Trabzon is the main gateway. The city has an airport, and from there the village is reached by road, a drive of roughly two hours that passes through Of and Çaykara and then follows the Solaklı valley inland and upward. The final stretch climbs through the valley and gives a clear sense of leaving the coast behind and entering the highlands. Public buses and minibuses connect Trabzon with Uzungöl, and the route is also commonly driven by car. In winter, snow and ice can affect the higher sections of the road, so conditions are worth checking before setting out in the colder months.

When to Visit and What to Know

Summer, from roughly June to September, is the mildest and greenest period, and it is also the busiest. Early autumn brings changing colours on the slopes and a quieter atmosphere, often with mist over the lake. Winter transforms the valley under heavy snow and gives the village a very different character, but temperatures drop and travel can be more difficult. Spring is wet and green, with frequent rain. Rainfall is possible in every month, so visitors should expect damp conditions and dress accordingly. The altitude means temperatures are noticeably cooler than on the Trabzon coast, and evenings by the lake can feel cold even in summer. Because the settlement is small and popular, the central shoreline is at its most crowded in high season, while the surrounding forest and the road up toward the highland pastures remain far quieter. Uzungöl is best understood as a mountain village first and a busy visitor destination second, and that balance is easiest to feel early in the morning or outside the peak weeks.