Adventure along the wild road to Tobamızga Lake

Adventure along the wild road to Tobamızga Lake

Turkey, europe

Length

4.58 km

Elevation

2,720 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've just discovered the most unbelievably gorgeous high-altitude lake in the Ardeşen district of Rize, Turkey: Tobamızga Gölü. We're talking serious off-the-grid beauty at a whopping 2,720m (8,923ft) above sea level.

Now, the road to get there? Woah. It's a totally unpaved, heart-pounding, 4.58 km (2.84 mi) stretch of narrow, steep track with some serious drop-offs. You'll gain 347 meters in elevation, averaging a 7.57% gradient, so a 4x4 is non-negotiable. This trip is strictly a summer affair, folks.

But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Starting from Yayla, you'll be treated to unbelievably stunning scenery. Tobamızga Gölü is a hidden gem that will leave you breathless!

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Road Details

Country
Turkey
Continent
europe
Length
4.58 km
Max Elevation
2,720 m
Difficulty
hard

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