GOEZThe Bolu to Lake Abant motorcycle route is about 34 km of forest road in north-west Turkey, rated medium. It leaves the town of Bolu and climbs through fir forest to Lake Abant, with around 62 corners — the most in the GOEZ catalogue. At a relaxed pace it takes about 50 minutes.
Distance and corner count are approximate; use an up-to-date map for navigation.
Where is the Bolu to Lake Abant route?
Bolu sits in the Western Black Sea region, roughly halfway between Istanbul and Ankara on the main highway that connects them. Lake Abant is a mountain lake in the forest south-west of the town, a popular nature spot for Turkish visitors.
If you're riding between Istanbul and Ankara, this is the obvious detour: leave the highway at Bolu, ride up to the lake, and rejoin the highway with a much better story. It also pairs well with the Maşukiye to Kartepe climb, which is further west along the same corridor.
What's the road like?
Around 62 corners over 34 km means this road rarely straightens out. It's rated medium rather than hard because the corners flow into each other more than they surprise you: steady, rhythmic riding with constant changes of direction as the road climbs.
The fir forest is the main event. It's dense, tall and keeps much of the road in shade, which is wonderful in summer but means damp patches can linger long after rain. At the top, the lake opens up and it's worth parking the bike for a walk.
When to go
Late spring, summer and early autumn are the best times. Autumn colours in the forest are a highlight, but days are shorter and mornings can be cold.
Winter brings snow and ice to this area, and conditions can change quickly with altitude. Check the forecast and road conditions before you set out, and carry a warm layer even in summer — the lake is cooler than the town.
Ride safe
- Shaded corners stay wet and cold long after the sun comes out — ease off where the road goes dark.
- Watch for local traffic, tour buses and parked cars near the lake.
- Ride the forest section in daylight; it gets dark under the trees early.
- If you're coming off the highway, take a minute to reset your pace for a twisty road.
Riding in Turkey for the first time? Read our practical tips for riding in Turkey and the motorcycle trip checklist.
Nearby routes
Make a longer trip of it with Maşukiye → Kartepe Summit and Şile → Ağva, or browse all motorcycle routes in Turkey.
Ride it with GOEZ
Bolu → Lake Abant is one of the suggested routes in the GOEZ Routes tab. Bookmark it to keep it in Saved routes, and tap Ride it to start recording with the route's line on your map — see how Routes works.
When you're done, your ride summary shows distance, moving time, speed and how many corners you actually rode. Recording works offline, so a weak signal on the mountain doesn't matter — more on ride tracking.