National park · Türkiye (Turkey)
Uludağ National ParkUludağ Milli Parkı
Day trip from Bursa: ride the teleferik to Sarıalan (490 TL return, 30 min) and walk to Çobankaya, or drive to the Oteller strip; for the 2543 m summit, start from Volfram before 09:00 in Jul–Sep only.Day trip from Bursa: ride the teleferik to Sarıalan (490 TL return, 30 min) and walk to Çobankaya, or drive to the Oteller strip; for the 2543 m summit, start from Volfram before 9:00 AM in Jul–Sep only.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
127 km² (49 sq mi)49 sq mi (127 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Check whether your passport is visa-exempt; if it is not, apply only at evisa.gov.tr — lookalike sites charge extra and some sell nothing.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗At mosques cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off at the door, and women carry a headscarf; stay out during prayer times.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Taxis must run the taximeter; refuse flat quotes, or book through BiTaksi or Uber so the ride is logged.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Carry lira in small notes for tea, markets, tips and toilets; prices move with inflation, so treat every printed price as dated.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Do not take stones, coins or tiles from ancient sites, and export no antiques without a museum certificate; travellers have been detained at airport customs.
At a glance
- Country
- Türkiye (Turkey)
- Area
- 127 km² (49 sq mi)49 sq mi (127 km²)
- Park boundary figures vary by source; treat the area as approximate (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Bursa
Uludağ is the mountain that rises straight out of Bursa: a 2543 m massif of beech and fir forest, alpine meadow and granite, declared a national park in 1961 and Turkey's first winter sports resort. The west side is a hotel strip and ski area reached by cable car or a 22 km road; the east side is quiet forest and glacial lakes where eagles work the bluffs. Most visitors come for a half day from the city; the summit ridge needs a full day and settled weather.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1961.
Size and age
127 km² (49 sq mi)49 sq mi (127 km²) · national park since 1961
Park boundary figures vary by source; treat the area as approximate (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Bursa.
Why go
- A 2543 m summit ridge you can reach from a city of two million in under two hours.
- The teleferik climbs 8.8 km (5.5 mi) from Bursa's Teferrüç district to 1870 m without a car.The teleferik climbs 5.5 mi (8.8 km) from Bursa's Teferrüç district to 1870 m without a car.
- Distinct vegetation bands in one day: chestnut and beech forest, endemic Uludağ fir, then treeless meadow above 2100 m.
- Winter skiing from mid-December to March, with the resort's own lifts and hotel slopes.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDeep snow; ski season, cable-car queues up to 1.5 h
- FebColdest and snowiest; chains may be required above the gate
- MarSkiing continues; snow base still deep
- AprThaw; wet, muddy trails, lifts winding down
- MayGreen-up; snow patches on the ridge
- JunLong days, wildflowers, summit usually walkable
- JulWarmest and driest; cool nights, possible sleet on top
- AugDriest; haze over Bursa, clearest early morning
- SepFrost returns, trees turn colour
- OctFirst snows; trails can ice over
- NovSnow building; many hotels closed
- DecHeavy snow; resort season starts
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurasian brown bearsApr–Oct · Active in the woods; they avoid people unless surprised or cornered. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Deer and raptorsAll year · Eagles and other raptors soar over the eastern bluffs. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wolves (Canis lupus pallipes)All year · Legally protected and very rarely seen; the park is barely large enough for one pack. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Autumn colour in the beech beltSep–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bursa (Teferrüç)
Dolmuş or Bus 94 to the teleferik base station, then the gondola up; cars run daily 10:00–18:00.Dolmuş or Bus 94 to the teleferik base station, then the gondola up; cars run daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.
30 min ride
Open the page →
From Bursa (Imperial Gate)
Dolmuş to the Uludağ hotel zone; depart when full.
50 min
Open the page →
From Bursa by car
D575 south from Çekirge, 22 km (14 mi) of switchbacks to the Karabelen gate, then 8 km (5 mi) to the Sarıalan turn-off.D575 south from Çekirge, 14 mi (22 km) of switchbacks to the Karabelen gate, then 5 mi (8 km) to the Sarıalan turn-off.
45–60 min
Open the page →
From Istanbul
Ferry or bus to Bursa, then the teleferik or D575; the summit ridge is visible from Istanbul on very clear days.
3.5–5 h
Open the page →
From Southern Marmara plan
Where Uludağ sits in a Bursa, Troy and Gallipoli loop.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Karabelen gate and Kirazlıyayla | The park entrance on the D575 and the plateau above it, passed by road. | Open; winter chain checkpoint. |
| Sarıalan | Mid-mountain plateau at 1634 m with the lower cable-car station, camping, picnic areas and a cluster of simple restaurants. | Open; teleferik or road. |
| Kurbağa Kaya and the Oteller strip | Main plateau at 1870 m with the top cable-car station, two hotel zones and most lifts. | Open; the busy core in winter. |
| Volfram and the ski slopes | Old tungsten mine area south of the new hotels, start of the summit route and the main north-facing pistes. | Open; lifts in season. |
| Eastern lakes and summit ridge | Glacial tarns and the 2543 m Kartaltepe ridge, seldom visited. | Open on foot; no waymarking, no facilities. |
Sketch map
- 1Teleferik base station, Teferrüç · Ranger station≈40.172, 29.084Map ↗
- 2Kadıyayla midway station · Ranger station≈40.157, 29.086Map ↗
- 3Sarıalan · Ranger station≈40.137, 29.106Map ↗
- 4Kurbağa Kaya · Ranger station≈40.110, 29.142Map ↗
- 5Çobankaya · Viewpoint≈40.119, 29.142Map ↗
- 6Bakacak plateau · Viewpoint≈40.142, 29.136Map ↗
- 7Volfram · Trail≈40.103, 29.151Map ↗
- 8Saklı Lake · Viewpoint≈40.087, 29.206Map ↗
- 9Uludağ summit (Kartaltepe) · Summit≈40.070, 29.222Map ↗
- 101. Gelişim Bölgesi (old hotel area) · Sleep≈40.105, 29.132Map ↗
- 112. Gelişim Bölgesi (new hotel area) · Sleep≈40.110, 29.145Map ↗
Take the points offline
11 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the Bursa cable-car base to the summit, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teleferik (cable car), Teferrüç to Sarıalan or Kurbağa Kaya | TRY 490 (≈ US$12) | person return | 2023 fare; 2026 estimate higher — check at the lift company site. |
| Ski area day pass (adult) | TRY 195 (≈ US$5) | person per day | 2022 fare, one area pass for all lifts; 2026 estimate higher — check. |
| Ski area day pass (child) | TRY 100 (≈ US$3) | child per day | 2022 fare; hourly and multi-day passes also sold — check. |
| Ski or snowboard rental on the mountain | TRY 150–250 (≈ US$4–7) | set per day | 2022 prices; about a dozen rental points — check. |
| Dolmuş from Bursa (Imperial Gate) to the hotel zone | TRY 13.5 (≈ under US$1) | person one way | 2023 fare, 50 min; a taxi for four was about 150 TL — check. |
| Campsite pitch at Sarıalan or Çobankaya | TRY 15 (≈ under US$1) | pitch per night | Old figure; sites are cramped — check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
National park entry no permit
Ski area pass permit or guide
Winter road access above Karabelen permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₺490≈ US$12
- ₺195≈ US$5
- ₺100≈ US$3
- ₺150–250≈ US$4–7
- ₺13.50≈ under US$1
- ₺15≈ under US$1
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Bursa Teleferik (lift operator) before you go.
Park rules
- Wild camping
- Allowed away from the tourist zones; use leave-no-trace practice on the fragile alpine meadows.
- Campfires and food storage
- Do not leave open food at camp; it attracts bears. Keep fires off in the forest.
- Lift equipment
- Ski equipment and hotel luggage are not carried on the gondolas; hire on the mountain or drive up.
- Bear traps
- Illegal wire nooses are still set near livestock villages. Report any you find to the Jandarma on 112.check
- Drones
- Permission requirements for drones inside the national park are not documented; assume a permit is needed (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Campsites at Sarıalan and Çobankaya
Cramped, crowded pitches; the cheapest bed on the mountain.
In the park
1. Gelişim Bölgesi (old hotel area)
The original hotel village on a side loop of D575; a mix of year-round and winter-only hotels.
In the park
2. Gelişim Bölgesi (new hotel area)
Larger resort hotels by the Kurbağa Kaya cable-car station, 2 km (1.2 mi) further east; many closed in summer.Larger resort hotels by the Kurbağa Kaya cable-car station, 1.2 mi (2 km) further east; many closed in summer.
Near the park
Bursa city hotels
Cheaper and open all year, 45–60 min below the gate.
Safety
Sudden fog on the ridge high
Bears medium
Ice and snow on the road medium
Cable-car queues medium
Altitude and cold on the summit medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The teleferik, Sarıalan, Kurbağa Kaya and the hotel strip are reachable without steps beyond normal gondola boarding.
- The summit ridge, the lakes and the lowland ascents are rough, unmarked and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on existing paths above 2100 m; alpine meadow takes years to recover from trampling.
- Carry out all rubbish — mountain kiosks charge about three times city prices and waste collection is limited.
- Use the teleferik or dolmuş rather than driving the D575 where you can; parking on the plateau is tight in winter.
- Do not feed or approach bears or wolves, and report illegal wire traps.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Uludağ?
There is no documented entry ticket for the national park itself; the Karabelen gate on the D575 is a road checkpoint, not a fee booth (check). What you pay for is transport and lifts: the teleferik from Bursa was 490 TL return in 2023, and a ski area day pass was 195 TL adult and 100 TL child in 2022. Both are 2026 estimates now — check current fares.
What are the best hikes in Uludağ?
For a short walk, Sarıalan to Çobankaya and Kurbağa Kaya takes 2–3 hours and is self-evident. For the summit, start at Volfram and follow the ridge east to Kartaltepe, 4–6 hours return. Volfram to the glacial lakes is a separate full day. Trails are not waymarked, so carry a map and compass.
When is the best time to visit Uludağ?
June to August for walking, when the summit ridge is usually clear of snow and the days are long; July and August are driest. December to March is the ski season, with deep snow and the longest cable-car queues. April and October are changeable — thaw and mud in spring, first snows in autumn.
Can I reach Uludağ without a car?
Yes. Take a dolmuş or Bus 94 from central Bursa to the Teferrüç teleferik base station, then the gondola to Sarıalan or Kurbağa Kaya; cars run daily 10:00–18:00 and the ride takes 30 minutes. Dolmuşes also run from the Imperial Gate to the hotel zone in about 50 minutes. Note that skis and luggage are not allowed on the gondolas.
Is Uludağ good for beginner skiers?
Yes. The pistes are broad and easy between the forest, running from 2322 m down to 1767 m — at most 555 m of descent, with the longest run about 2 km. It suits beginners and nervous intermediates rather than experts. One area pass now covers the lifts, and equipment can be rented at about a dozen points on the mountain.
How do I get to the summit?
From the hotel area, walk or drive 1 km south to Volfram, then follow the ridge east for about 7 km to Kartaltepe at 2543 m. Allow 4–6 hours return. The ridge holds a line of similar 2400 m tops, so in mist it is not always obvious which summit you have reached — take a bearing before visibility drops.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialBursa Teleferik (lift operator)
- secondaryUludağ ski area information
- secondaryWikipedia — Uludağ
- secondaryWikivoyage: Uludağ, revision 5204952 (CC BY-SA 4.0)