A one-day nature loop from Ankara through Beynam Forest and Lake Mogan
Estimated cost
€42estimated total
Fuel
€12
Food
€25
Other
€5
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
101 km1h 48mDepart 07:30
Start
Ankara, Türkiye
Drive southeast from Ankara on the Bala road, then follow the signed approach into Beynam. The city quickly gives way to rolling farmland and dry Anatolian hills; watch for tractors, village traffic and faded junction markings near the forest.
46 km47m
1
Activity
Beynam Ataturk Forest
Beynam, Türkiye
09:00–12:003h here€3
A quiet highland forest southeast of Ankara, offering shaded pine trails, picnic clearings and cooler morning air.
Start with the shaded forest paths before the August heat builds, then continue toward the quieter upper clearings for open-country views. Skip the busy picnic lawns near the entrance. Confirm access the day before because fire-risk closures can occur; carry water and expect a small parking fee.
Drive northwest from Beynam through open farming country toward Gölbaşı. This is a slower rural leg with broad plateau views, occasional livestock and limited shade; remain alert at unsigned village intersections.
29 km32m
2
Food
Çağlar Restaurant
Gölbaşı, Türkiye
13:00–14:301h 30m here€25
A relaxed Gölbaşı seafood restaurant known for grilled fish, generous meze plates and an easy post-hike lunch.
Order a shared selection of cold meze followed by the freshest whole grilled fish available; ask for the day’s price before choosing by weight. Avoid filling up on bread if hiking again. Request an outdoor table when reserving, and allow about €20–30 per person without alcohol.
Drive through Gölbaşı to the main Mogan Park entrance, using ordinary surface streets rather than crossing pedestrian lakefront areas. After the visit, continue north on D750 to finish in Ankara; expect heavier commuter traffic as the road approaches the city.
3 km4m
3
Attraction
Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi Mogan Park
Gölbaşı, Türkiye
14:45–17:453h here€2
A broad lakeside park with reed beds, sunset promenades and extensive views across Lake Mogan toward the Ankara hills.
Park near the main recreation entrance, walk the lakeside promenade first, then seek quieter reed-edge paths for birdlife and wide water views. Skip the busiest amusement facilities. Stay through the softer late-afternoon light, buy water before leaving, then return to Ankara via D750 without adding a city stop.
23 km25m
Finish
Ankara, Türkiye
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Leave Ankara by 07:30 so the Beynam walk happens before temperatures peak and picnic traffic reaches the forest.
- 2Check Beynam Atatürk Ormanı access with local forestry notices the evening before; temporary closures are possible during severe August fire danger.
- 3Reserve an outdoor table at Uluçınar Balık Restaurant one or two days ahead and confirm the market price of whole fish before ordering.
- 4At Mogan Parkı, move beyond the main recreation lawns toward the reed-lined sections for quieter views and better birdwatching.
- 5Use the Bala approach outbound and D750 only for the return, preserving a genuine loop rather than repeating the same corridor.
- 6Carry some Turkish lira for minor parking or entrance charges, although the restaurant and larger facilities generally accept cards.
- 7Fill the sedan before leaving Ankara; fuel is available around Gölbaşı, but there is little reason to interrupt the rural section for it.
Good to know
- 1Beynam Forest may close at short notice during extreme fire-risk periods in August; never bypass a barrier or enter closed picnic and woodland zones.
- 2The exposed Bala and Beynam roads can produce heat shimmer and soft asphalt during the afternoon; reduce speed before bends and village junctions.
- 3Rural connectors may have tractors, livestock and worn lane markings. Avoid attempting unsigned shortcuts even when navigation apps suggest a faster line.
- 4D750 northbound toward Ankara becomes congested in the early evening; leave Mogan Parkı by about 17:45 or wait until the commuter peak eases.
- 5This loop requires no motorway vignette and can avoid tolled roads. Ankara and Gölbaşı currently have no passenger-car low-emission zone, but obey local parking restrictions.
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