Avlan Gölü
A lake on the Elmalı plateau surrounded by cedar forest. Drained for farmland in the 1970s and refilled in the 2000s once the local climate suffered, it now serves as a birdwatching and picnic area.
Lake Avlan lies on the high plateau between Elmalı and Finike, above 1,000 metres. The cedar forest around it is a cover rarely found in Turkey; the pairing of lake and cedar produces a scene completely unlike Antalya's coastal views.
The lake's story is a much-repeated example in Turkey's environmental history: drained in the 1970s to gain farmland, after which humidity in the area fell, frost events increased and the apple orchards suffered. Restoration work let the lake hold water again in the 2000s, and the waterbirds have returned.
Picnic areas, walking paths and viewpoints ring the lake. During migration you can watch ducks, geese and shorebirds — binoculars are worth bringing. The altitude keeps it far cooler than the coast in summer, and in spring it is surrounded by wildflowers. It is about 45 minutes from Finike by mountain road.
- Best time
- Spring and autumn
- Budget
- Free
Tips
- For birdwatching, mornings with binoculars are the most rewarding.
- The altitude means cool evenings even in summer — bring a light layer.
- Reached by mountain road from Finike or Elmalı; public transport is sparse.