Uludağ

Rising above Bursa, a high mountain national park known for winter sports and summer walking.

Why go

Uludağ is a high mountain rising just south of Bursa, standing like a wall over the plain when seen from the city. Declared a national park in 1961, it is one of Türkiye’s best-known ski centres in winter, and in summer a refuge for those seeking walking, picnics and cool air.

Nature and geography

The mountain’s lower slopes are covered by a broad forest belt; as you climb, beech and fir forests give way to alpine meadows and glacial lakes. The areas near the summit stay under snow for much of the year. This range of elevation makes the mountain varied in both vegetation and scenery.

What to do there

In winter, the hotels zone and the pistes are used for skiing and snowboarding. In summer, the walking routes inside the national park, the paths around the lakes and the picnic areas come to the fore. The glacial lakes near the summit are a popular route for those aiming at longer walks.

How to get there

Uludağ is reached from central Bursa by cable car or by car on the mountain road; the cable car offers a direct link from the city to the hotels zone. The nearest airport is Bursa Yenişehir. In winter, road conditions can change, so chains and suitable tyres may be needed.

The cable car climbs in stages from the Bursa city centre to the hotels zone, offering views of the forest and the plain along the way. For those driving up, the mountain road is winding, and in winter conditions can change quickly. Parking and facilities are concentrated in the hotels zone, from where the walking routes and lakes are reached on foot.

When to visit

Winter is the busiest season for skiing and snow activities. Summer is ideal for those wanting to escape the hot plain and walk in the cool forest. In spring and autumn the weather can change quickly; dressing in layers and checking the forecast in advance are important.

Responsible visiting

Uludağ is a national park; it matters to stay on the marked routes, to follow the park rules on fire and litter, and not to damage the fragile vegetation of the alpine meadows and lake edges. At higher elevations the weather can change fast, so on longer walks it is wise to carry water, layers and a rain jacket.

Nearby

Bursa, with its historic mosques, bazaars and thermal springs, sits right at the foot of the mountain. Cumalıkızık, which preserves the fabric of an Ottoman village, is a nearby stop that fits easily into the same day.