Çıldır Lake

Lake Çıldır (Çıldır Gölü) is located at the meeting point of the Ardahan and Kars provinces. It is the second largest lake in the Eastern Anatolia Region and the largest freshwater lake in Türkiye. With its natural landscape, Lake Çıldır is a destination that can be visited in all seasons, but it draws more interest in winter. During winter, the lake’s surface freezes completely, allowing activities such as walking, camping, ice fishing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. On the ice-covered lake, visitors can also enjoy ice skating, running, and cycling. Throughout the year, fishing is possible in the lake, with carp being the most commonly caught species. When temperatures drop below freezing in winter, locals use picks, shovels, and even saws to break through the thick ice and fish using the "Eskimo-style" method. In the spring and summer months, visitors can picnic, go for walks along the lakeshore, watch the sunrise and sunset, fish, camp, and enjoy boat tours. The lake and its surroundings are home to a wide variety of bird species and are located on a migratory route for birds. For birdwatchers, there is also a bird-watching tower by the lake.