Darlık Lake, Şile, İstanbul

As someone who enjoys traveling, I haven’t posted about my adventures on Steemit in a long time. Besides, this is my first post on Traveling Steem community! Lately, I've been eager to share a story about a place I visited in the past.

Istanbul is famous for its bustling crowds, busy traffic, and constant activity, but it also has tranquil villages where cows, sheep, geese, and ducks roam freely. The city boasts forests, lakes, and coastlines perfect for relaxation and swimming, found on both the Anatolian and European sides. My favorite spots include Beykoz, Riva, Şile, Ağva, and the countryside of Kocaeli.

With the pandemic's impact waning and summer approaching, people are once again embracing social activities like travel, picnics, and beach outings. Despite the ongoing economic challenges in our country, many are making the most of their weekends, enjoying themselves within their budgets. For instance, on the first weekend of June, I visited Darlık Lake in Ahmetli village, located in the Şile district of Istanbul. The day before, I met a friend, and we planned our trip together. In the morning, we gathered supplies for a barbecue from the market and set off. Since it was our first visit, we relied on navigation to reach Darlık Lake, which took us about an hour.

This location is overseen by İSKİ (Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration) and has no entrance fee. However, a few kilometers after entering, the road becomes cracked and damaged. I noticed picnic and camping areas in three main spots, although there might be other paths leading to different parts of the lake. We spotted a few cars and tents on the far side, but avoided the risk of going there due to a cliff by the road.

After exploring the wooded area, we discovered a lovely shady spot with a great view. There were also campers nearby. We started with breakfast, then relaxed a bit before lighting the charcoal for our barbecue. We spent about seven hours here, though it was a bit chilly at times due to the wind. On hotter days, this place seems perfect for cooling off.

I saw only a couple of cormorants on the lake. Some people were fishing, while others enjoyed inflatable boats. There are signs warning that the lake is not safe for swimming, and there are no facilities nearby for basic necessities. If you need food or drinks, you’ll have to head back to Ahmetli village, so it’s wise to come prepared.

I plan to visit more places like this on weekends this summer as a way to make up for lost time during the pandemic. As I explore new spots, I look forward to sharing my experiences here on HIVE. Thanks for reading!

All the photos were taken by me.