Lake Abant: driving from Istanbul, seasons and things to do

Short answer: Lake Abant is in Bolu, about 260–270 km from Istanbul by car; without traffic the drive takes about 3 hours. Leave the Anatolian Motorway at the Abant junction and follow a forest road of about 23 km up to the lake. The lake lies inside Abant Lake National Park, and the vehicle entry fee is collected via HGS. It is a weekend route known for its autumn colours and snowy winter scenery.

Where is Lake Abant?

Lake Abant is a mountain lake southwest of Bolu city centre, about 40 km away by car. The lake surface sits at about 1,328 m above sea level and is surrounded by forest. Declared a national park in 2022, the area is protected today as Abant Lake National Park, with a visitor centre, walking paths, viewing terraces, picnic areas, hotels and restaurants.

A common mix-up: Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) is not part of Abant. Yedigöller National Park is a separate area north of Bolu, about 80 km from Abant by car.

How far is Abant from Istanbul and how long does it take?

The distance depends on where in Istanbul you set off; starting from the Asian side shortens the drive. The times below assume no traffic; on Friday evenings and Sunday returns the motorway can be slower.

Which road goes to Abant?

From Istanbul, head towards Ankara on the Anatolian Motorway (O-4); you can also join via the Northern Marmara Motorway (O-7) and return to the Anatolian Motorway. After Düzce, as you approach Bolu, leave the motorway at the Abant junction signposted "Abant – Bolu Dağı". From the junction, a paved road of about 23 km climbs through the forest to the lake.

Motorway tolls are paid by HGS, and all of our cars have an HGS tag. The Anatolian Motorway route passes Sapanca; if you would like a lakeside stop on the way back, see our Sapanca guide.

How do you pay the Lake Abant entry fee?

Vehicles pay a fee to enter Abant Lake National Park, and since 25 December 2023 the fee has been collected via HGS. Vehicles without HGS pay by entering their plate number on PTT's HGS system. Vehicles only passing through the park in transit on the Mudurnu–Taşkesti direction are not charged. As the tariff is updated periodically, check the current amount in the announcements of the Nature Conservation and National Parks authority.

If you are driving a rental car: all Otofilorent cars have HGS, so the entry fee is recorded on the car like your other HGS passages. You can see how HGS usage is charged after the rental on our FAQ page.

When is the best time to go to Abant?

Abant is visited in every season, but the scenery changes completely from one to the next:

• Autumn (October–November): the deciduous trees around the lake turn yellow and orange. This is when interest in Abant peaks, so set off early at weekends.
• Winter (December–March): visited for the snowy scenery. On very cold days the lake surface can freeze; allow for snow and ice on the road.
• Spring (April–May): the forest turns green again and there are fewer visitors.
• Summer (June–September): cool air, walking paths and picnic areas make it a good escape from the Istanbul heat.

What should you watch for on the road to Abant in winter?

• Check road conditions: the road from the Abant junction up to the lake can see snow and ice as it climbs. In heavy snow, check announcements from the highways authority and the Bolu Governorship before you leave.
• Ask about chains in advance: chains may be needed on days of heavy snowfall. Call us before your rental about using chains on a rental car.
• Plan to return in daylight: the risk of frost rises in the evening; it is safer not to leave the forest road until after dark.

Winter tyres are not mandatory for passenger cars nationwide, but they noticeably improve grip on snowy roads. At Otofilorent you can add winter tyres to your rental as an extra; the price is listed on the extras page. We explain the rules in more detail in our Kartepe winter guide.

Which car class suits Abant?

In summer and autumn, any car class is fine for this route, most of which is motorway; on a long drive, luggage space and comfort matter most. In winter, SUVs and crossovers with more ground clearance and a higher driving position are more comfortable. Our fleet includes models in this class such as the Peugeot 2008; see all options on the cars page.

A note: an SUV look does not mean four-wheel drive. On snow, the real difference comes from the tyres and careful driving.

What to do at Lake Abant

• Walk around the lake: the path around the lake is about 7 km; allow about 2 hours including photo stops.
• Electric vehicle and bike tours: the national park offers electric vehicle and bicycle tours around the lake.
• Viewing terraces and photography: from the park's viewing terraces you can look out over the lake and photograph the autumn and winter scenery.
• Picnic: the park has picnic areas. Note: barbecues and wood or charcoal fires that leave ash are banned inside the national park; only gas or electric stoves are allowed.
• Food and places to stay: around the lake there are restaurants, cafés and stalls selling local products, as well as hotels. It is also a good stop to taste Abant kebab, a well-known dish of Bolu cuisine.

Places to visit near Abant

With a car, it is easy to fit nearby stops into the same day or weekend. Distances are approximate driving distances from Lake Abant:

• Mudurnu (about 26 km): a district near Abant known for its historic houses and bazaar.
• Bolu centre and Gölcük Nature Park (about 40–50 km): close to Bolu city centre, Gölcük is a quiet stop for a lakeside walk.
• Yedigöller National Park (about 80 km): a separate national park where the entry fee is also collected via HGS. The Bolu–Yedigöller road is usually closed by snow in winter, so check road conditions before you go.

Where can you pick up the car?

You can pick up your car from one of our 18 points in Istanbul. For Abant, points on the Asian side shorten the drive; for example, Sabiha Gökçen Airport is about 240 km from Abant. For rentals of 3 days or more we offer free delivery to your address within Istanbul; an Abant trip from Friday morning to Monday morning qualifies. If anything goes wrong on the road, our 24/7 line is open: 0850 305 00 45.

Frequently asked questions