Twenty-five
kilometers to the south of Ankara on
Konya road is Golbasi Lake, a popular
place to visit for its attractive scenery and its fine restaurants on the
lakeside. Incek,15 km southwest of Ankara, is a favorite rest area for
Ankara residents, with its lovely fruit trees, green areas and picnic
sites. A favorite place for picnics is Karagol Lake, 68 km north of the
city on the airport road,where one should take the turnoff for the town of
Cubuk.
The three dams around the city, Cubuk (15km on the Cankiri Highway),
Kurtbogazi (50 km on the Istanbul Highway) and Bayindir (15 km on the
Kirikkale Highway) are pleasant places to visit for swimming and
picnicking. There are also restaurants, and at Bayindir, good camping
facilities.
Walkers will delight in exploring the three main forests around
Ankara.
South of the city, on Kirsehir Highway (54 km), is the Beynam Forest;while
to the north, on Istanbul Highway (82 km), is Kizilcahamam Soguksu
National Park and further, in the same direction (110 km), is the Camkoru
Forest. All are delightful retreats from the clamor of the city, and each
provides many lovely places for picnics.
Elmadag Mountain (1,855 meters) Some 23 km. from Ankara, Elmadag Mountain
can be seen from most parts of the city. The first snowfall on the
mountain heralds the start of winter and the beginning of skiing and
winter sports at the pleasant resort center to be found here.
In the province of Ankara there are four thermal centers: Kizilcahamam
Kaplica (80 km), Haymana Kaplica (72 km), Ayas Kaplica (57 km),and Dutlu
Kaplica (85 km). All offer comfortable facilities in which to soak away
your cares. The thermal baths have beneficial properties and are,of course,
altogether pleasurable.
