Yuvacik is a nearby escape point for those who can’t stop traveling while living a busy life, exploring new places, can’t fit into Istanbul on weekends, and get their energy from traveling. Those who prefer to live by walking instead of watching the life on the screen, discover new places, get to know new people, and try new tastes, will admire this place where they can get energy from nature. Ozdisan Elektronik Quality Management System Manager Arife Acar discovers Yuvacik for you.
My friends have always wondered about the source of my endless energy. I get most of my energy from nature. On weekends, I escape to wetlands, forests and mountainous areas, catching peace and allowing my soul to be renewed. One of my favorite sightseeing routes is Yuvacik, which has a different beauty every season… Yuvacik is a natural wonder just 1.5 hours away from Istanbul and surrounded by greenery. In Yuvacik, you can stay at wooden houses with comfort and pleasure. While hiking in the forest, you can fill your lungs with plenty of oxygen and spice up your trip with several activities. ATV Jeep Safari and Zipline are just a few of these activities… You can enjoy delicious local tastes accompanied by the sparkling of ice-cold waters by the creek. Yuvacik has become a destination for those who want to explore the nature, and escape from stress.
“Yuvacik is one of the rare places where you can feel yourself as on the plains of Eastern Black Sea region.”
You may feel like you are on the plains of Eastern Black Sea region while you are only 110 kilometers away from Istanbul. Yuvacik, a small town of Basiskele county of Kocaeli city, is known for the dam it is named after. The Yuvacik Dam, which is built on Kirazdere and meets the water needs of Kocaeli city, has a geography extending from Iznik Lake to the Samanli Mountains. The town was founded by the immigrants from Black Sea Region. The road leading to Yuvacik Dam is surrounded by pine forests, azure waters, lush hills, and landscapes that open up one’s heart. Although the road to the dam is very winding, it offers a special feel of traveling throughout a view. Accompanied by singing birds and murmuring cool waters, you can have an insatiable taste of the peace and serenity that surrounds your soul. After finishing the rod to the dam, the facilities on the edge of Kirazdere will appear before you. Accompanied by the coolness and bubbling of the waters by the stream in these facilities, and the warm welcome of friendly people, you can start the day with a local breakfast such as mihlama, cheese bread, French fries, and menemen. In addition, if you want to relax a bit after the breakfast, the hammocks located by the stream will be waiting for you to double your enjoyment. You can also enjoy the nature by collecting nuts from the hazelnut trees around, and enjoy a visual feast. Thanks to the huge swings located on the walking path, it is also possible to enjoy the feeling of excitement and freedom by swinging over the stream. For travelers who are fond of mouth-pleasing tastes, the traditional menu of trout on clay tile, meatballs, sausage, and mihlama would be the right choice at Trout raising facilities.
After leaving the facilities on the edge of Kirazdere, you can go to Aytepe to get fresh highland air. If you stop by Servetiye Village on the way, you can take photos of wooden houses that look like houses on the plains of Black Sea Regions. If you walk on the trail starting from the village, a waterfall will meet you 500 meters ahead. After leaving the village, you can climb towards Aytepe. When going to Aytepe, you will not be able to take your eyes off the beauty of the view on the road. Everywhere is lush, endless meadows, authentic village houses, and storerooms with wooden legs in the gardens of houses… Here you can see every shade of green. Your ears will be filled with peace away from all kinds of technological sounds and integrated only with the sounds of nature.
