The drowned trunks
About 180, visible in summer.
Thecatcherintherye — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Muro1907 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Linda M Caldwell — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Aykun Oymakas — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Linda M Caldwell — CC BY-SA 4.0
Sülüklügöl is a small forest lake in a nature park of about 810 hectares in the Mudurnu district of Bolu Province, at about 1,050 m according to the parks office. The name means Leech Lake. Dense woods turn vivid in autumn and mist often covers the water in the morning, making it a favourite spot for camping and photography. Local sources say the lake formed about 300 years ago when an earthquake set off a landslide, one of several lakes created this way in the area. Leeches were once plentiful, giving it the name, until fish introduced later ate most of them. After decades as a wildlife reserve it became a nature park in 2011, and the nearby village now runs it under a lease. The oddest sight is around 180 drowned pine trunks, swallowed by the landslide and never rotted, which show above the surface when the water falls in summer. Walking paths run around the shore, and spring brings primroses, snowdrops and fritillaries. Activities include camping, fishing and cycling. The lake bed is deep mud and swimming is dangerous, so stay out of the water. The lake lies 85 km by road from Bolu and 35 km from Lake Abant in a straight line, and is reached from Mudurnu or Akyazı. No public transport comes here, so you need a car; part of the road may be unsurfaced, so ask before you come, especially in winter.
About 180, visible in summer.
Vivid woods around the water.
Tent sites near the lake.
Yürse locality, Mudurnu, Bolu Province
Sources say introduced fish ate most of them. Even so, you should not swim, because of the deep mud on the lake bed.
Yes if you are based in Bolu or Mudurnu, though many camp a night to see the morning mist. The drive is fairly long, so start early.