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20 September 2026 · Sunday Every adventure begins somewhere
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BURSA · MARMARA · TÜRKİYE

Uludağ

Outdoor, sports & travel guide

Uludağ rises right above Bursa, and the cable car takes you from the city up the mountain in about half an hour. Ski the slopes in winter, hike to the summit and glacial lakes in summer: every season here belongs to a different sport.

SKIING · HIKING · CAMPING · TRAIL RUNNING · MOUNTAINEERING
BEST TIME
December – March
TOP ACTIVITIES
Skiing & Hiking
AREAS
2 sub-destinations
GATEWAY
Bursa · ~40 min
01 — ABOUT ULUDAĞ

Why Uludağ is a great ski destination

What makes Uludağ such a popular ski area is its location more than its slopes. From Bursa it's forty minutes by car, or you can take the cable car from inside the city up to the Oteller hotel zone. Someone leaving Istanbul in the morning can be on the slopes by the afternoon, which is why it has become the go-to weekend ski trip.

It has more lifts than any other ski area in Turkey: 25 drag lifts and chairlifts. The flip side is that the slopes stay between 1,776 and 2,135 metres, so don't come looking for long, steep runs. Uludağ's strength isn't one big descent but enough variety to fill a day.

The low altitude comes at a price. Snow can deteriorate quickly at the start and end of the season; January and February are the most reliable months. They also coincide with the mid-term school break, so this is when the mountain is busiest: on 18 January 2025 more than 10,000 vehicles passed the national park gate in a single day. If you can, pick a weekday.

Uludağ doesn't end when the snow melts. From July to September people hike from Oteller to the summit and the glacial lakes, and camp at Sarıalan. Below we cover skiing, hiking and mountaineering one by one.

SLOPE ALTITUDE
1,776–2,135 m

The lowest and highest mapped stations of the ski lifts.

SUMMIT
2,543 m

Uludağ's highest point lies southeast of the Oteller hotel zone; the lifts don't reach it.

FROM BURSA
33 km

From central Bursa (Heykel) to the Oteller hotel zone by road, about 40 minutes without traffic. You can also go up by cable car.

LIFTS
25

Mapped drag lifts and chairlifts; the cable car from the city is not included.

Altitude and lift count: OpenStreetMap lift geometry (cross-checked with SRTM/ASTER) · Distance and time: OSRM

02 — ACTIVITIES

Things to do in Uludağ

STRONGEST AREASkiingThe ski area with the most lifts in Turkey: 25 drag lifts and chairlifts. The slopes run between 1,776 and 2,135 m with a 359 m vertical drop, so it offers plenty of short runs rather than long descents. Because it sits low, snow is most reliable in January and February.1 CENTER · JANUARY–FEBRUARYHikingThe most walked route is the 19–21.5 km return hike from Oteller over the Kapı pass to the 2,543 m summit; the same path also leads down to the glacial lakes around the summit. For a shorter day there is the forest trail between Sarıalan and Çobankaya. Hiking on the mountain requires a permit and notification to the gendarmerie.JULY–SEPTEMBER
CampingCamping is only allowed at the official Sarıalan–Çobankaya area, reached from the Sarıalan cable-car station. Pitching a tent anywhere else on the mountain, including by the lakes, is not permitted.2 CAMPSITES · ON THE MAP
Trail runningIn 2026 the Uludağ Premium Ultra Trail started from Oteller on 18–19 July; its short course is a 16 km loop via Sarıalan and Softaboğan.
MountaineeringThere is no rock climbing on Uludağ; mountaineering here is a winter sport, with clubs running snow-and-ice climbs and basic winter courses in the northern cirque. Mountaineering requires a permit from the governorship.
CyclingThe paved road from Bursa up Uludağ is a 30.8 km climb well known to cyclists: 1,764 m of ascent at an average gradient of 5.8%. The Uludağ Performance Climb, held in early August, drew about 1,000 licensed riders to its 8th edition in 2024.
03 — AREAS

What’s where in Uludağ

SarıalanCAMPING · HIKINGSee the area →Lakes RegionHIKINGSee the area →
04 — ROUTES

Hiking routes in Uludağ

Don't expect a trail waymarked from end to end like the Lycian Way. Clubs and hiking groups have been walking these paths for years, and we put together the distances and times below from their GPS tracks.

If you're heading for the summit or the lakes, don't underestimate it: it's a long way and the weather can turn in no time. Once the fog rolls in, it's hard to tell where you're going. One more thing: you need a permit to hike on the mountain and have to let the gendarmerie know. And if you're bringing a tent, Sarıalan–Çobankaya is the only place to pitch it.

R01Oteller → Uludağ SummitA long mountain walk from the Oteller hotel zone up the Volfram road to the Kapı pass, past Keşiştepe (Little Summit) to the main summit and back the same way; not technical in summer, but it takes stamina and there is no water along the way.DISTANCE19–21.5 km (return)TIME7–10 hASCENT+970–1,100 mDIFFICULTYHard→
R02Oteller → Glacial LakesFollows the summit path as far as the Rasat plateau, then drops to Kilimli Lake north of the summit; Karagöl lies to the northeast and Aynalı Lake to the east, a little further on.DISTANCEAbout 10 km (to Kilimli, one way)TIME~6 h (one way)ASCENT+750 mDIFFICULTYHard→
R03Sarıalan → ÇobankayaA marked, easy forest trail from the Sarıalan cable-car station via Sarıçayır to the Çobankaya camping area.DISTANCE3.8–4.3 kmTIME~1.5 hASCENT+160 mDIFFICULTYEasy→
R04Çobankaya → BakacakA forest walk from Çobankaya down to Softaboğan Waterfall and up to the Bakacak viewpoint; groups also do it as a winter snow walk.DISTANCE3.5–6 kmTIME2–3.5 hASCENT+100–135 mDIFFICULTYModerate→
R05Saitabat → CumalıkızıkOn Uludağ's northern foothills, climbing from Saitabat Waterfall to Küreklidere Waterfall, then down through the city forest and Hamamlıkızık to Cumalıkızık; uphill for the first half, downhill for the second.DISTANCE10–12.5 kmTIME4.5–6.5 hASCENT+340–370 mDIFFICULTYModerate→
R06Büyükdeliller → Uludağ SummitA steep but non-technical southern route from the Muammer Subaşı fountain (~1,300 m) above Büyükdeliller to the summit and back the same way; no water after the fountain at the tree line (~1,800 m), and the path fades in places.DISTANCE13.7–15.1 km (return)TIME8–11.5 hASCENT+1,190–1,270 mDIFFICULTYHard→
05 — MOUNTAINEERING

Winter mountaineering and the summit

There is no rock climbing on Uludağ; mountaineering here happens in winter, in the cirque on the north side of the summit. Before you set off there are three things to sort out, and all three are official.

Permit process · three stepsMandatory · Bursa Governorship 2020/76
018–10 days before
Permit from the governorship

Mountaineering and hiking require a permit; you apply to the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports.

0248 hours before
Notification

Notify the National Park Directorate and the Uludağ Gendarmerie Station at least 48 hours in advance.

03More than 12 people
Field guide

If your group has more than 12 people, a field guide must come with you.

CHECK FIRST

These rules came in 2020; the process may have changed since the Uludağ Area Directorate was set up in 2023. Before you go, call the Governorship or the Area Directorate on 0224 800 15 00.

LITTLE SUMMIT2,486 m

Target of the winter training climbs

SNOW DAYS178 days

This much of the year is under snow

RECORD SNOW435 cm

Deepest snow cover measured

SEASONDec–Mar

Clubs' winter activity period

WINTER CLIMBING LINES

Clubs climb snow-ice and mixed lines in the cirque on the north side of the summit. Some of the known lines:

  1. 01KarçukuruSnow-ice routes
  2. 02Kuzey Diyagonal
  3. 03Altaporlak–Kürüz
Rock climbing

Uludağ has no bolted rock suitable for sport climbing. To climb in Bursa you need to go to Narlıdere in Kestel or Gelemiç in Keles.

Safety
In fog it becomes a different mountain

In December 2019 two climbers lost their way in fog; after a 17-day search it was found that they had died of hypothermia. The permit rule came after this incident.

Winter training

For those who want to start, clubs run basic winter courses: YTÜDAK in 2024 and 2025, ULUDAK with its own programme. The courses include avalanche testing and a climb to the Little Summit (2,486 m).

Source: Bursa Governorship, Uludağ National Parks Coordination decision (2020/76)Go to the routes section →
06 — SKI CONDITIONS

Ski conditions in Uludağ

25 LIFTS
1,776–2,135 M
359 M VERTICAL DROP
CAUTIONThe freezing level is above the summit as well: any precipitation will be rain, not snow.FREEZING LEVEL 4,160 M > TOP 2,135 M
Snow depthMeasured · MGM
No measurement

The MGM station is not reporting snow depth right now. We don’t show it as zero; the value will appear here once measurements resume.

New snow · topModel · 72 h
0
Fallen
0
Expected
Temperature · base → topModel
10°→8.7°
Base 1,776 mTop 2,135 m
Wind · topModel
4km/hCalm
0–10 KM/H · CALM
Snow depth: MGM station measurement · other values: Open-Meteo model · updated hourlyView ski resort page →

07 — RACES & EVENTS

← SWIPE TO PICK A MONTH
08 — CENTERS & COMMUNITIES

Who to go with

7Addresses
5In Nilüfer
1On the mountain

If you want to head up Uludağ with a club, you start in Bursa. These are the places that run regular programmes in the city; the clubs that climb to the Uludağ summit in winter are among them.

MOUNTAINEERING CLUBS03

Summit climbs, winter outings and camps.

RUNNING COMMUNITIES03

They all run in the city, not on the mountain.

SKI RESORT01

The only mountain address on the list.

SKI RESORTUludağ25LIFTS359 mVERTICAL DROPRESORT PAGE →
NOT ON THE LIST?

If you're a club with a regular programme in Bursa, write to us and we'll add you.

BEFORE YOU CONTACT A CLUBSEE MOUNTAINEERING ↑
01WHO ARRANGES THE PERMIT?

Mountaineering needs a permit, applied for 8–10 days ahead. Ask whether the club does it for you.

02LEVEL AND GEAR

On winter climbs, who provides crampons, an axe and an avalanche kit, and can you rent them from the club? Ask in advance.

03PLACES AND COSTS

Ask how costs are shared; if the group is larger than 12, a field guide is required.

09 — SEASON

When to go

Uludağ has two separate seasons. The slopes usually open in December and run until March; because the resort sits lower than Turkey's other big ski areas, snow can deteriorate quickly at the start and end of the season, so January and February are the safest months. If you want to hike to the summit or the glacial lakes, July to September, once the snow has melted, is far more comfortable. Whatever the season, hiking and climbing on the mountain require a permit and notification to the gendarmerie; don't set out in fog.

JANJFEBFMARMAPRAMAYMJUNJJULJAUGASEPSOCTONOVNDECD
SkiingJan–Feb
HikingJul–Sep
SOURCEUludağ National Park toll-gate vehicle counts (Uludağ Area Directorate / DHA, 2024–2026 period data)HIGHHIGHLOWLOWLOWMEDIUMMEDIUMMEDIUMMEDIUMLOWLOWMEDIUM
10 — WEATHER

7-day forecast

Mostly cloudy this week, highs of 8–19°; light rain expected Tuesday.

ULUDAĞ
Open-Meteo · Updated every 3 hours
DayToday20 SepMon21 SepTue22 SepWed23 SepThu24 SepFri25 SepSat26 Sep
Temphigh / low17°9°17°9°12°7°8°4°12°3°17°6°19°11°
SkyOvercastOvercastLight rainFogPartly cloudyOvercastOvercast
RainNo rainNo rain6 mm · 70%0.4 mm · 67%No rainNo rainNo rain
Wind11 km/h10 km/h10 km/h12 km/h8 km/h9 km/h9 km/h
Temperatures are daily high / low. Wind is the day's maximum.Swipe →
11 — PACKING LIST

What to pack

Pick your activity and tick off your pack. The top rows come from this week’s weather and sea forecast.

THIS WEEK · SEP 20–26OPEN-METEO
PEAK UV5.9
NOTHING EXTRA
RAINY DAYSep 22 · 6 mm
RAIN JACKET
SNOWNone
NOTHING EXTRA
PEAK WIND12 km/h
NOTHING EXTRA
NIGHT LOW3 °C
BAG ≤ 3 °C
0 / 10 PACKED
From the rentalSkis, boots, poles and a helmet can be rented; ask whether the helmet is included in the price. Rent or buy? →
ADDED THIS WEEK
ALWAYS

Your ticks are saved on this device; no account needed. This week’s additions follow the 7-day forecast; for a later trip they may differ.

12 — PLACES TO SEE

Beyond the activities

Cable carRuns from Teferrüç station in Bursa via Kadıyayla and Sarıalan up to the Oteller hotel zone; the way up the mountain without a car.
Ulu Cami and the Hanlar districtThe twenty-domed Great Mosque, completed for Bayezid I in 1399; with the Koza Han and the covered bazaar right next to it, it is the heart of the UNESCO-listed Hanlar district.
Tophane: tombs of Osman and Orhan GaziOsman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman dynasty, and his son Orhan Gazi, who took Bursa in 1326, are buried here; the terrace by the Clock Tower looks down over the city.
Green Mosque and Green TombThe complex Mehmed I built in the early 15th century; don't miss the tiles inside the mosque and the turquoise-tiled tomb opposite.
Muradiye ComplexThe complex of Murad II; the tombs in its garden hold many Ottoman princes, including Cem Sultan and Şehzade Mustafa.
CumalıkızıkAn Ottoman village on Uludağ's northern foothills, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 as part of "Bursa and Cumalıkızık".
GölyazıA fishing village on a small peninsula in Lake Uluabat, built over ancient Apollonia; people come for the boats and the sunset in the late afternoon. Every spring the stork Yaren arrives at Eskikaraağaç, the neighbouring village on the lakeshore.
Irgandı BridgeA bridge with a bazaar on it, built over the Gökdere in 1442 under Murad II; destroyed in 1922 and rebuilt to its original design, shops included, in 2004. One of the few bridges in the world with a market on top.
13 — FOOD

What to eat in Uludağ

Uludağ's real kitchen is down in Bursa. Up on the mountain, the choice is mostly hotel restaurants; it's worth stopping in the city on the way down to try Bursa's classics.

İskender01

Döner on pide with tomato sauce and butter; Bursa's best-known dish.

Cantık02

An open-topped pastry with minced meat; a staple of Bursa's bakeries.

Candied chestnuts03

Chestnuts cooked in sugar (kestane şekeri); the thing most people take home from Bursa.

What’s on the table?5 classics · all in Bursa
  1. 04İnegöl köfteSmall, simple grilled meatballs named after Bursa's İnegöl district.
  2. 05Pideli köfteMeatballs on pieces of pide with tomato sauce and butter, another Bursa classic.
14 — GETTING THERE

Getting to Uludağ

There are three ways up the mountain: by cable car, by minibus or in your own car. Pick where you're coming from and the journey opens up step by step.

FROM
TO
01

Up to the Oteller hotel zone

BY CABLE CAR · OTELLER HOTEL ZONE8.8 KM · ~30 MIN
  1. City centre → Teferrüç stationBy city bus, taxi or your own car
  2. Teferrüç → Oteller hotel zoneVia Kadıyayla and Sarıalan, an 8.8 km line
    ~30 MIN
GOOD TO KNOW
  • Runs 10:00–18:00; plan to come down before 18:00
  • Services can stop in strong wind and fog
CABLE CAR LINE · ELEVATION PROFILE
1,398 mTOTAL CLIMB
4STATIONS
~30 minEND TO END
  1. TEFERRÜÇ388 m
  2. KADIYAYLA1,228 m
  3. SARIALAN1,629 m
  4. OTELLER1,786 m
15 — MAP
Uludağ and surroundings
Open in map →
16 — ADVENWAY GUIDES

Further reading

OUTDOOR GUIDESSleeping mat R-value: what is it and what should yours be? What to know before you go campingOUTDOORWhat is hiking etiquette? A guide to responsible trekking with the Leave No Trace principlesOUTDOOR GUIDESWhat should go in an outdoor first aid kit? A guide to safer adventures
17 — NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Sarıalan~5 kmUludağ Lakes Region~7 km
ADVENWAY · EVERY ADVENTURE BEGINS SOMEWHERE
ULUDAĞ
6 ROUTES · 3 RUNNING COMMUNITIES · 1 SKI RESORTSee on map