Bolu on the Way Back from Kartalkaya: Local Flavours and a Snowy Stop at Gölcük

There are two good reasons to stop in Bolu on your way back from skiing in Kartalkaya: a warm meal in one of the regions of Türkiye most closely associated with its tradition of cooks, and Lake Gölcük, which looks completely different under snow in winter. Village breakfasts, soups, rice dishes with meat and pastries stand out on the Bolu table; the chocolate shops along the road are also a classic stop on the way home. Gölcük, with its quiet lake in the middle of the forest, is an ideal stop for taking the last photos of the weekend.

Why is Bolu known for its food?

Bolu, especially the district of Mengen, has been known for centuries as a region that produces cooks. You can find the mark of cooks from Mengen in many kitchens, from the Ottoman palace kitchen to today's big hotels and restaurants. The cooks' festival held in Mengen to keep this tradition alive also puts the area on the radar of food lovers. That is why, in Bolu, you can find a carefully made stew even in an ordinary roadside restaurant.

For someone coming down from the mountains in winter, this means every stop on the road turns into a small treat at the table.

What's on the winter table?

Bolu cuisine is that of a cold, forested mountain region: filling, warm and simple. A few flavours that do you good after skiing:

• Village breakfast: A long breakfast with local cheeses, butter, honey, jams and warm bread is a weekend essential around Bolu.
• Soups: Soups such as tarhana and lentil are the first way to warm up after a cold day.
• Keşkek and meat dishes: Keşkek, made by slow-cooking wheat and meat, is a well-known dish at weddings and festive meals in Bolu, as in many parts of Anatolia.
• Trout: In Bolu's lake-filled surroundings, fresh trout is a common choice, especially at lakeside restaurants.
• Pastries: Gözleme, pide and börek are practical for a quick but filling lunch break.

When choosing a restaurant, heading for places popular with locals, where stews are made fresh daily, usually pays off.

What to buy in Bolu

For those who don't want to come home from Kartalkaya empty-handed, here is what you can buy locally:

• Chocolate: Bolu is known for its chocolatiers. There are many chocolate shops along the road and in the city centre; boxed chocolates are the classic gift on the way home.
• Honey and jam: Honey from the forested region and home-made jams are easy to find.
• Cheese and butter: Stalls selling village produce may have local cheese and butter. Buy them last so they stay cold on the long journey.

Lake Gölcük in winter

Gölcük Nature Park is a small lake surrounded by forest, close to Bolu city centre. A favourite with picnickers in summer and walkers in spring, Gölcük takes on a completely different silence in winter: the lakeshore is covered in snow and the branches of the pine and beech trees turn white. The wooden pavilion on the lakeshore, set in the snowy scenery, is one of the most photographed views in the area.

What to do at Gölcük

• A short walk: A short walk around the lake, as far as the snow allows, stretches your legs before the coach journey.
• Photography: In the soft light of morning or afternoon, the snowy forest and the surface of the lake make for lovely shots.
• A hot drink: After a walk in the cold, a break for tea or salep does you good.

Small tips for photos

In snowy scenery, phone cameras can make the scene look darker than it is; tapping the screen and raising the exposure a little stops the white from looking grey. Shots with the wooden building on the lakeshore in the foreground and the snowy forest in the background capture Gölcük's winter beautifully. Batteries drain fast in the cold: carry your phone in an inside pocket and don't forget a power bank.

In winter, the roads and paths around the lake can be snowy and slippery; remember to wear waterproof, non-slip shoes.

The Gölcük stop on the Kartalkaya tour

In the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Tour programme, you return to Istanbul after skiing until the afternoon on the third day. If weather and road conditions allow, there is a stop at Gölcük Nature Park on the way back. If winter conditions do not permit, the stop is skipped. Meal breaks and stops along the way are agreed with you at the quote stage, according to your group's wishes.

If there is no snow, or you want to go in summer

Bolu is not just a winter stop. Nature programmes such as the Abant, Maşukiye and Gölcük Tour, which combines Abant Lake, Gölcük and Maşukiye in Sakarya in one day, are a good chance to get to know the area outside the snow season too. You can find all our winter options on our ski holidays page. If you are wondering how to get to Kartalkaya, you can also read our Kartalkaya transport guide.

A short note on eating after skiing

After a day of skiing, your body craves warm, filling food in the evening. The soups, stews and pastries of Bolu cuisine meet exactly this need. On a ski holiday, keeping heavy meals for the evening and light, energising snacks for the daytime helps you stay fresher on the slopes.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bolu's most famous dish?

Bolu is known less for a single dish than for its tradition of cooks, especially those from Mengen. Village breakfasts, soups, keşkek and trout from around the lakes are flavours you will often come across in the area.

What can you buy in Bolu as a gift?

The most popular choice is chocolate; Bolu is known for its chocolatiers. Honey, jam and local cheese are also popular buys.

Can you visit Lake Gölcük in winter?

Yes, you can visit in winter too, and its snowy scenery is very photogenic. However, as the roads and lakeshore can be snowy and icy, wear suitable shoes and check the weather in advance.

Is there a meal stop in Bolu on the Kartalkaya tour?

The programme includes a stop at Gölcük on the way back if the weather allows. Meal stops along the way and special requests are planned together at the quote stage.