Iznik Lake and its surroundings are one of the escape points of the weekends with their proximity to Istanbul.. Camping in Lake Iznik was one of the things I always wanted to do.. I was very happy when my canyon friends said that we are going to Lake Iznik.. I passed the other side of Lake Iznik once and was amazed.. This time we are going camping and experiencing that calmness.
Don’t forget to follow me on my instagram account.. I tell a lot in stories and highlights
Instagram: Nerdesinbahar
Ways to Reach Iznik
You can go to Iznik for a day or make plans during the weekend.. You can set off on Saturday morning as it is close.. so do we. We’re falling on the roads of Iznik with a good-bye. You can go from Pendik by İdo, from Topçu by ferry, by using the most expensive system Orhangazi Bridge. We have plenty of time.. We’re returning to the bay. When the bay turns, it is easier to cross to the other side of Lake Iznik.. You can find my previous article on Lake Iznik here.
We do not use the Orhangazi road on the way to Iznik.. The place we want to go is Sölöz or Müşküle village, opposite Orhangazi.. If you come from the Orhangazi road, you can take the turn where Köfteci Yusuf is and cross this way.. Just like on the map above.. We go all the way because we’re here to explore. We are planning to camp in a quiet camping area and at the same time find a suitable rock and get off from there and train.
First we enter Göllüce village.. As we climb the hills, a wonderful Iznik view welcomes us, but when the rock structure here is not what we want, we decide to go.. If we camped here, we would do it in a place that overlooks Lake Iznik.. The suitable place for the campsite is of course a little outside of the village.. I can say that it is a very beautiful village. A native of Bursa, whom we talked to later, said that the rich people of Iznik live for that village.. olive makers. That’s why the houses are so beautiful.. You can also try camping there.. If you are one of those who want to see the lake from the top, there are suitable places just above the village.
Müşküle Village
When we move towards Müşküle Village, we descend to the lake level.. Along the way, olive groves and beaches by the sea welcome us.. The first flowers of spring have bloomed. When we say here or there, we finally find a suitable rock and a campsite right next to the lake.. Actually, the name of our campsite is Sarıkayalar. at the moment i don’t know that. It even has a small beach.. Our campsite under very big trees. The olive grove is just ahead.
We are exploring the rock with Erdal, the President of Istanbul Canyoning.. The view from the top of the rock is truly legendary. like the sea. After the necessary examinations were made on the rock, they decided that this would be a suitable camp for our purpose.. This is a place on the road between Müşküle Village and Göllüce Village.
The bolting process begins as we settle in the campsite.. My teacher Erdal loves to drill the mountain and stone.. While we are setting up our tents and swinging in the hammock, the stone pierced the mountain and comes to us in the dust.. I can’t explain how happy. Permanent bolts ready. Let’s wait for it to dry. When the rock is dry, it freezes in a few hours.. The rest of the time we enjoy our campsite.
I want to walk a little.. A road passes right next to us.. When I cross the other side of that road and dive into the olive groves and climb a little, I merge into the lush nature.. Paths made of dirt are scattering left and right.. I’m going, but I’m also looking at the roads I go. Although, one does not get lost when he knows which side of the lake.. The pruning time of olive groves is also. This means we won’t have trouble finding wood for the campfire.
A little music, a little nature, a little fresh air, some flowers, some bugs and a huge peace… In the evening, our campfire is lit and dinner preparations begin.. There are no facilities here. No toilet or electricity. You have to come and do your shopping.. Since the lake is fresh water, you can wash some things in the lake, but I still think it is necessary to run clean water over it.
Today is also my birthday.. I can’t think of a better celebration. My later friends are angry that I didn’t tell.. They put burning things on top of everything they find and sing. I sent my birthday cake to kids who have never had a cake before this year. I’m happy with the way it is.
My Favorite Times When I Stay With Myself
My favorite is to listen to the sound of water and the crackling of the fire by the fire when most of them go to sleep.. Watching the stars… That’s what I’m doing this time. I’m enjoying the fire until late. We wake up in the morning to the voice of our friends from Istanbul.
They are Saturday employees. When they were close to Istanbul, they set off early in the morning and came.. The position we took brought them right to where we are.. We are having our breakfast in the morning, playing good-bye. The fishermen who came at night talked all night.. now they are sleeping we are talking. some kind of revenge. It’s kind of a world of discovery.
After breakfast, of course, it’s time to climb the rock that was bolted the day before and go down.. There are those who have never tried this. They have a chance to try themselves.. It’s not that hard to climb up. Even if we climb less than the elevation difference, we can reach a very high point.. All day is spent jumping, taking pictures and having fun. We even install an intermediate zipline. This time we manage not to land on the thorns. Towards evening, the leftover food is eaten.
Keramet Hot Spring
None of us said anything to each other, but we all planned to go to the nearby Keramet Hot Spring in the afternoon.. A few people just don’t have swimsuit shorts. It takes 45 minutes from our location to Keramet Hot Spring.. Entry is 5 lira. You can leave the vehicles in front of the door. You can change your clothes in the locker cabins.. No hot water for shower. It was cool, we couldn’t swim in Lake Iznik, but the warm waters of Keramet Hot Spring await us.
Keramet Hot Spring is one of my favorite places.. It’s a place I always stop by when I come and go because it’s considered on the road for me.. You can click here to learn how to get to Keramet Hot Spring.. At 7 o’clock the lights were turned off. If you do not say that you will stay in the dark, no one is telling you to go.. We swim and drink our tea in Ilıca. Water is boiling from the deep sides of the lake. You can see the water bubbles. He even gives you a massage.
If you go during the mulberry time, you can eat the magnificent mulberries of the mulberry tree on the left side of the hot spring.. If you come here with a camp, you can do it at the camp in the section reserved for camping.. An ideal place for those who are definitely looking for a facility for camping.. We are healed by swimming in the warm waters of Keramet Hot Spring until dark in the evening, and we return to Istanbul rested and happy.
Camp close to Istanbul Lake Iznik and its surroundings are ideal for those looking for an area.. You can make your camp in a quiet corner and stop by Keramet Hot Spring on your way back.. You can also make your own discoveries and write these experiences to me as a comment.
