Artabel Lakes Nature Park

Artabel Lakes Nature Park lies within the boundaries of Gülaçar village in the Torul district of Gümüşhane, high in the rugged mountain chain of the Eastern Black Sea.

Geology & Nature

Declared a protected nature park in 1998, it covers roughly 5,859 hectares of pristine high-alpine terrain. Its defining feature is a constellation of cirque (glacial) lakes carved during the ice age: grouped as the Artabel, Acembol, Beş, Kara and Yıldız lakes, they number more than eighteen basins of varying size. U- and V-shaped glacial valleys, knife-edge ridges and the 3,331-metre Abdalmusa Peak complete a landscape of exceptional geological and geomorphological value. Fed by snowmelt, the lakes spill into cascades and the Artabel Stream, and ice masses can linger on some shores as late as the end of June. With endemic flora, trout-filled waters and untouched plateau scenery, the park is one of Turkey's most distinctive destinations for nature photography and trekking.

Visiting & Tourism Value

Nicknamed 'the summit where light meets water', its mirror-still lakes and dramatic peak vistas have made it an increasingly favoured stop for agencies running boutique nature and photography tours; it appeals to niche, experience-driven groups rather than mass tourism.

Access & Accessibility

Access is by road from Torul centre — about 44 kilometres — to the visitor reception centre at Gülaçar's Esentepe area (around 2,720 m), and then on foot to the lakes. A 6-kilometre concrete road completed in 2025 under DOKAP coordination has markedly eased the approach, yet because the final stretch is rough, large coaches are left at the reception centre while groups continue by minibus, jeep and on foot. The stony, steep ground makes wheelchair access very limited.

Route & Best Time

The best time to visit is July to September once the snow retreats, with the peak season in July and August. The recommended route begins at the reception centre and follows a roughly 9-kilometre trail past more than ten lakes, including Ahtabur Lake, which carries memories of Ottoman-Russian military history. The finest photographs come at dawn, when the still lake surfaces mirror the Abdalmusa ridgelines. An average visit takes a full day on foot; guided programmes usually combine it with Torul Castle, Karaca Cave and the ruins of Santa.