Uludağ National Park and Summit: Winter Sports, Glacial Lakes and Trekking Guide

From the Mythological Monk Mountain to the Winter Capital of Turkey

Uludağ, mentioned in ancient times as Olympos Mysios, where the gods watched the Trojan War in Homer's Iliad, was known as Monk Mountain for centuries because hundreds of Christian monks in seclusion during the Byzantine period founded monasteries. It was named 'Uludağ' in 1925 upon the proposal of Osman Şevki Bey, a member of the Bursa Provincial Council.

The mountain, which is the highest point of the Marmara Region with its peak of

2,543 meters, was declared one of Türkiye's first national parks in 1961. Uludağ, the birthplace of winter tourism and ski culture in Turkey, is today the undisputed number one winter sports center in the country with its modern ski lifts, luxury hotels and world-class slopes.

Four Seasons Uludağ: Winter and Summer Activities

1. Winter Season and Ski Resorts (1st and 2nd Development Regions)

In the winter season, which lasts from mid-December to the end of March, Uludağ welcomes ski and snowboard enthusiasts with its excellent powder snow quality.

• 1. Development Area:It is a lively center where historical hotels, classical tracks (Fahri, Beceren, Osman Yüce tracks) and ski schools are located.
• 2. Development Region:It appeals to more professional skiers with its wide and long tracks, modern chairlift systems (Karakaya, Kuşaklıkaya, Mandıra) and luxury hotels.

2. Summer Hiking and Glacial Lakes

As the snow melts, Uludağ turns into a trekking, camping and mountaineering paradise. Kilimli Lake, Aynalı Lake and Karagöl located on the summit route are turquoise colored crater lakes bearing the traces of the ice age.

3. Rich Biodiversity and Forest Areas

Uludağ flora includes 32 endemic plant species that grow only on this mountain in the world. Additionally, the endangered giant Apollo Butterfly and great bearded vultures live in this mountain ecosystem. Sarıalan and Çobankaya are shelters for those escaping the summer heat, with bungalow houses and camping areas in pine forests.

How to Get to Uludağ? (Transportation Options)

• By Bursa Cable Car (Recommended Fastest Way): You can fly over the Bursa plain and pine forests with the panoramic cable car departing from Yıldırım Teferrüç station and reach Sarıalan and 2nd Hotels Zone in just 22 minutes.
• By road: The 34 km asphalt National Park road, climbing over Çekirge, is kept open at all times by the Highways teams in winter; Chains or winter tires are mandatory in winter.
• By minibus/minibus: You can go up the mountain with Uludağ Hotels Region minibuses that depart from Bursa Tophane Square every half hour.

Local Tips for Visitors

• Historical Sucuk Bread Ritual: Crispy sausage bread and hot salep cooked on an open air barbecue in Sarıalan or Hotels Zone are Uludağ classics.
• Weather Check: Before you go to the summit, be sure to check the live track cameras and wind conditions of the National Parks or the General Directorate of Meteorology.
• Çobankaya Wooden Forest Lodges: During the summer and winter months, you can watch the stars by staying in the wooden bungalows belonging to the National Parks in the forest.