A 2-day adventure drive from İstanbul to Ankara via Bolu and Beypazarı
Estimated cost
₺19,800estimated total
Stays
₺4,200
Fuel
₺4,200
Food
₺3,600
Other
₺7,800
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
788 km10h 51mDepart 08:00
Start
İstanbul, Turkey
Drive 135 km in ~1h 45min via O-7 and O-4 from İstanbul
138 km1h 49m
1
Attraction
Sapanca Gölü Yürüyüş Yolu
Sapanca, Turkey
09:45–10:3045m here
Lakeside walk and photo stop
Easy adventure warm-up after İstanbul traffic; park near the promenade and go before midday heat.
Drive 7 km in ~15min from Sapanca lakeshore through local roads
6 km14m
2
Food
Natürköy
Sapanca, Turkey
10:45–11:451h here₺700
Rustic Turkish breakfast and lunch
Good shaded garden stop before the mountain drive; try gözleme or village breakfast items.
Drive 78 km in ~1h 30min via D140 mountain roads from Sapanca
81 km1h 23m
3
Activity
Leech Lake Nature Park
Mudurnu, Turkey
13:15–15:152h here₺600
Forest lake walk and nature break
Fits adventure style with a short forest walk; sedan drivers should take it slow on rough final access roads.
Drive 50 km in ~1h 7min via Mudurnu road from Sülüklü Göl
50 km1h 7m
4
Attraction
Mudurnu Clock Tower
Mudurnu, Turkey
16:05–16:3530m here
Historic hilltop clock tower
Quick hill viewpoint over Ottoman Mudurnu; wear grippy shoes for the short climb.
Drive 2 km in ~10min into central Mudurnu
241 km3h 14m
5
Attraction
Arasta Çarşısı
Mudurnu, Turkey
16:45–17:3045m here₺300
Small Ottoman bazaar streets
Adds local texture without a big detour; buy tarhana or local sweets before shops wind down.
Walk 700 m in ~10min through Mudurnu old town
256 km2h 47m
6
Food
Mercan-i Restaurant Kalıcı Konutlar
Mudurnu, Turkey
17:40–18:551h 15m here₺1,100
Regional Turkish dinner
Best fit for regional food after outdoor stops; order höşmerim if available.
Drive 17 km in ~17 min via Mudurnu-Abant road
17 km17m
7
Overnight
Abant Lotus Otel
Bolu, Turkey
19:45–20:451h here₺4,200
Comfortable nature hotel near Abant
Nature setting suits the adventure theme; confirm parking and request a quiet room facing greenery.
Day 2
369 km7h 7mDepart 08:30
Check out of Abant Lotus Otel and drive 15 km in ~25min to Abant Lake Nature Park
19 km24m
8
Activity
Lake Abant
Bolu, Turkey
08:55–10:552h here₺600
Mountain lake loop and viewpoints
Cool morning air is ideal for an active lakeside walk; arrive early for easier parking.
Drive 80 km in ~1h 46min via forest road from Abant area
80 km1h 46m
9
Attraction
Yedigöller National Park
Bolu, Turkey
11:45–12:1530m here₺600
Forest viewpoint stop
A scenic forest hit without staying long; roads are winding, so avoid rushing the descent.
Drive 43 km in ~55min back toward O-4 Bolu corridor
43 km1h 8m
10
Food
Köfteci Yusuf
Bolu, Turkey
13:10–14:101h here₺800
Fast highway lunch stop
Efficient lunch before rejoining O-4; choose köfte or piyaz and refuel nearby if needed.
Drive 114 km in ~2h via O-4 and D140 from Bolu
114 km2h
11
Attraction
Yaşayan Müze
Beypazarı, Turkey
16:10–17:251h 15m here₺500
Ottoman house culture museum
Breaks the Ankara approach with heritage and crafts; buy tickets on arrival and check demos.
Walk 600 m in ~10min through Beypazarı old town
0 km2m
12
Attraction
Suluhan Nasuh Paşa Hanı
Beypazarı, Turkey
17:35–18:0530m here
Restored caravanserai courtyard
Short atmospheric stop on the old trade route; good for shaded photos late afternoon.
Drive 2 km in ~10min uphill from Suluhan
1 km4m
13
Attraction
Hıdırlıktepe
Beypazarı, Turkey
18:15–18:4530m here
Panoramic town viewpoint
Adventure-friendly viewpoint before the final drive; best light is late day over the tiled roofs.
Drive 5 km in ~15min to İnözü Valley dining area
4 km9m
14
Food
İnözü Kelebek Vadisi Tesisleri Beypazarı
Beypazarı, Turkey
19:00–20:001h here₺1,000
Local güveç dinner stop
Good final regional meal before Ankara; order Beypazarı güveç and carry water in July heat.
Drive 105 km in ~1h 20min via D140 and Ankara city roads from Beypazarı
104 km1h 25m
15
Attraction
Anıtkabir
Ankara, Turkey
21:20–21:5030m here
Landmark mausoleum arrival sight
Iconic Ankara arrival point; exterior visit may be all that fits, return earlier next day for interiors.
Finish
Ankara, Turkey
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Leave İstanbul by 08:00 to clear O-7/O-4 traffic before the worst outbound congestion.
- 2Keep cash or a topped-up HGS account for Turkish motorway tolls on O-7 and O-4.
- 3Fuel in Bolu before the Beypazarı leg; smaller mountain and valley roads have fewer reliable stations.
- 4Start Abant early for cooler walking weather and easier parking around the lake.
- 5Buy Beypazarı kurusu or local sweets in town before evening shops begin closing.
Good to know
- 1O-7 and O-4 are tolled motorways; use HGS and check your rental or vehicle account balance.
- 2Sülüklü Göl access roads can be rough for a sedan after rain; drive slowly and avoid low-clearance shortcuts.
- 3June-July afternoons can be hot around Beypazarı and Ankara; avoid strenuous walks at midday.
- 4Forest roads near Abant and Yedigöller are winding with wildlife risk; allow extra time and avoid speeding.
- 5Ankara central roads can be congested near evening arrival; parking around Anıtkabir is easier outside peak hours.
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