Turkey’s Artabel and Karagöl parks draw summer visitors amid lingering snow

Artabel Gölleri Tabiat Park in Gümüşhane’s Torul district offers an unusual June landscape where winter still dominates. Thick snow and ice cover the glacial lakes while melt‑water streams rush through valleys, and colourful alpine flowers bloom alongside the snowfields. Photographer Metin Aydın noted, “We did the first Artabel hike of the year and the scenery was amazing – despite all the snow we saw many vibrant flowers.” Visitors from distant regions described the scene as “like Iceland or the Swiss Alps,” highlighting the park’s four‑season experience.

Karagöl Tabiat Park near Çubuk, Ankara, features oak, pine, linden and mountain‑ash woods surrounding a clear lake. The park attracts day‑trippers and campers, with many praising its “postcard‑perfect” views. Visitor İrfan Oruç said, “It is truly a natural wonder; each visit reveals a new beauty,” while Nurullah Gencer stressed the importance of preserving the area’s pristine environment.