Karagöl-Sahara National Park

Karagöl-Sahara National Park is a protected area in Artvin Province in northeastern Turkey that combines a highland lake and nearby plateau and forested areas. The park conserves alpine and subalpine landscapes typical of the eastern Pontic Mountains.

Visitors go for short hikes, lake viewpoints, and alpine meadow scenery; trails and basic mountain access routes lead to the lake and out onto the plateau. The park is valued for its compact combination of lake shoreline, meadows, and surrounding forest rather than for extensive developed facilities.

The protected status conserves the natural highland features and traditional land uses in the area; the park was established to protect the local lake and upland ecosystems and to provide regulated public access. Management emphasizes conservation of water, forest and meadow habitats.

The park sits in northeastern Turkey’s Artvin Province, near the border region with Georgia, within the highlands of the Pontic mountain range. Access is from regional roads and mountain routes serving the provincial district.

• Landscape mix: The park combines highland lakes and alpine meadow landscapes within Artvin Province in northeastern Turkey, offering hiking and scenic viewpoints.

What to See #

• Karagöl: A small mountain lake set in a highland basin that gives the park part of its name and is a focal point for day hikes and viewpoints.
• Sahara plateau: An upland plateau and meadow area characterized by alpine grasslands and open views, popular for hiking and seasonal grazing in the surrounding region.