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Twenty-five kilometers to the south of Ankara
on Konya road is Golbasi Lake, a popular place
to visit for its attractive scenery and its
fine restaurants on the lakeside. Incek,15 km
southwest of Ankara, is a favorite rest area
for Ankara residents, with its lovely fruit
trees, green areas and picnic sites. A
favorite place for picnics is Karagol Lake, 68
km north of the city on the airport road,where
one should take the turnoff for the town of
Cubuk.
The three dams around the city, Cubuk (15km on
the Cankiri Highway), Kurtbogazi (50 km on the
Istanbul Highway) and Bayindir (15 km on the
Kirikkale Highway) are pleasant places to
visit for swimming and picnicking. There are
also restaurants, and at Bayindir, good
camping facilities.
Walkers will delight in exploring the three
main forests around Ankara. South of the city,
on Kirsehir Highway (54 km), is the Beynam
Forest;while to the north, on Istanbul Highway
(82 km), is Kizilcahamam Soguksu National Park
and further, in the same direction (110 km),
is the Camkoru Forest. All are delightful
retreats from the clamor of the city, and each
provides many lovely places for picnics.
Elmadag Mountain (1,855 meters) Some 23 km.
from Ankara, Elmadag Mountain can be seen from
most parts of the city. The first snowfall on
the mountain heralds the start of winter and
the beginning of skiing and winter sports at
the pleasant resort center to be found here.
In the province of Ankara there are four
thermal centers: Kizilcahamam Kaplica (80 km),
Haymana Kaplica (72 km), Ayas Kaplica (57
km),and Dutlu Kaplica (85 km). All offer
comfortable facilities in which to soak away
your cares. The thermal baths have beneficial
properties and are,of course, altogether
pleasurable. |
