A one-day pine-forest loop from Ankara through Kızılcahamam, Çamlıdere and Güdül
Estimated cost
€65estimated total
Fuel
€28
Food
€22
Other
€15
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
967 km12h 1mDepart 07:00
Start
Ankara, Türkiye
1
Food
KIZILCAHAMAM MÜHÜR RESTAURANT&KÖY KAHVALTI SARAYI
Unknown location
12:00–13:001h here
Start the day with breakfast for two near the first activity.
2
Activity
Soğuksu National Park
Kızılcahamam, Türkiye
08:30–10:302h here€3
Pine-clad highland trails, volcanic ridges and shaded picnic clearings offer a cool, active escape from Ankara’s August heat.
Park near the main visitor area, then follow the signed ridge trail before returning through the shaded forest. Skip the crowded picnic lawns and focus on the quieter upper path. Start early for cooler air; carry water, use grippy shoes and allow about €3 for vehicle entry.
Drive down from Soğuksu Milli Parkı into central Kızılcahamam. This short descent passes wooded slopes and thermal hotels before entering busier town streets; use marked roadside parking rather than blocking restaurant entrances.
352 km4h 5m
3
Food
Köroğlu Meşelik Et Mangal
Kızılcahamam, Türkiye
11:00–12:151h 15m here€18
A relaxed local grill serving lamb, köfte and regional accompaniments, ideal for a substantial meal before the mountain loop.
Order mixed köfte or lamb with grilled peppers, salad and ayran; ask for a half portion if hiking in the afternoon. The open grill is the attraction, so skip generic fast-food dishes. Arriving before noon avoids tour groups, and nearby street parking is usually easier then.
Drive west from Kızılcahamam toward Çamlıdere on the mountain road. Expect sweeping forest views, bends and occasional slow agricultural vehicles; avoid hurried overtakes and pause only in signed pull-offs.
368 km4h 10m
4
Activity
Aluçdagı National Park
Çamlıdere, Türkiye
13:15–15:152h here€12
A highland recreation area with fragrant conifer forest, steep walking routes and seasonal adventure-course elements.
Begin with the forest circuit, then ask staff whether the ropes or zipline elements are operating before paying. If closed, take the steeper viewpoint trail for an energetic substitute. August fire rules can restrict activities; park only in the designated area and keep €12 available.
Drive south from Çamlıdere through forest villages toward Güdül. The road becomes narrower and more pastoral, with broken edges, livestock and limited phone coverage; fuel should already have been secured before this section.
68 km1h 4m
5
Activity
Güdül İnönü mağaraları
Güdül, Türkiye
16:45–18:001h 15m here
Rock-cut chambers and rugged cliffs above the Kirmir valley create an adventurous final walk on the loop back toward Ankara.
Follow the marked approach to the lower rock chambers, then climb only as far as dry footing and daylight allow. Skip unstable openings and never enter deep cavities alone. Late afternoon softens the cliffs; leave by 18:00 and continue through Ayaş to Ankara before full darkness.
6
Food
Güdül belediyesi meydan cafe restaurant
Unknown location
12:00–13:001h here
Finish with a convenient dinner for two after visiting the caves.
94 km1h 24m
Finish
Ankara, Türkiye
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Leave Ankara by 07:00 so Soğuksu’s upper trails are completed before the hottest part of the day.
- 2Call Aluçdağı Tabiat Parkı several days ahead to confirm whether its adventure-course elements operate on Thursday.
- 3Use D750 outbound, then return through Güdül and Ayaş to preserve a genuine loop rather than retracing Kızılcahamam.
- 4Eat early at Köroğlu Et Mangal; a lighter köfte portion is more comfortable before the afternoon activity.
- 5Download the Çamlıdere–Güdül–Ayaş corridor offline because navigation can drop in the valleys.
- 6Refuel in Ankara or Kızılcahamam; dependable stations are less frequent after Çamlıdere.
- 7At İnönü Mağaraları, remain on visible paths and share your live location before walking toward the chambers.
- 8Budget in Turkish lira despite the EUR estimate; smaller rural businesses may not accept foreign cards.
Good to know
- 1August wildfire restrictions can close forest trails or prohibit flames in Soğuksu and Aluçdağı; obey same-day notices and never use a portable stove.
- 2The Çamlıdere–Güdül road has bends, patched edges and occasional livestock; finish it in daylight and avoid aggressive overtaking.
- 3Afternoon temperatures around Güdül can remain high despite the cool forests; shorten the cave walk if shade is limited.
- 4Rock around İnönü Mağaraları can be loose and unguarded. Do not enter dark chambers alone or climb above signed access areas.
- 5No vignette or low-emission permit applies, but Ankara ring-road or motorway diversions may require an active HGS account.
- 6Summer thunderstorms can make steep forest and cave paths slick within minutes; leave exposed ground when thunder is heard.
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