As the sun comes out of winter hibernation and shows its face to us earthlings, people become eager to take their shoes off and stick their feet in sand and soil, to feel the rebirth of nature in their bones. Located on a main route to Turkey's southern coast, Lake Eğrigöl offers an alternative stop for those seeking something different in late spring. This lake is fed by snow runoff from the Taurus Mountains and is a popular destination for hikers, campers and photography enthusiasts alike, offering stunning views of untouched nature and indigenous plants.

Situated on the Taşeli Plateau on the edge of the Geyik Mountains on the provincial border between Konya and Antalya, Lake Eğrigöl is the perfect destination for those seeking a "last ode" to winter and spring. Although it is already May, the thickness of snow in the region has risen to almost 3 meters in some areas. Lake Eğrigöl is a four-hour walk from Konya's district of Hadim and is also accessible from Antalya's Gündoğmuş district. Lake Eğrigöl, situated 2,100 meters above sea level at the edge of Geyik Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Taurus Mountains, is noted for the diverse plant species that grow there, crocuses of different colors and endemic plants. Colorful flowers bloom along the meandering rivers that curl into the lake, creating a unique landscape with a snow-capped, mountainous backdrop.

Lake Eğrigöl, located in the middle of the triangle formed by the districts of Hadim, Gündoğmuş and Alanya, attracts nature and photography enthusiasts and anglers who take daily trips to the lake. Those camping around the lake spend the night. In addition, the region offers unforgettable moments to guests for mountain biking and trekking.
The immediate vicinity of the lake also attracts foreign tourists from time to time, and there are plateau houses located close to the lake that offer shelter to those seeking a quick escape from hot temperatures in the summer months.

While people go swimming in coastal towns, the lake also offers skiing opportunities, welcoming those coming for a picnic. Ömer Faruk Gülşen, a mountain climber who came to the region to camp, said that he has climbed numerous summits in Turkey and abroad for many years. Noting that he has also climbed mountains in Eastern Anatolia, the Black Sea region and the Mediterranean region as a photographer of nature, Gülşen said: "I especially go to unexplored territories in the Mediterranean. I photograph the ecological structure of unknown or rarely known peaks of Cilicia, Pisidia and Lycia. I also provide tours to local and foreign tourists as a group leader."

Gülşen recalled that every year, they come here to camp with friends on the Taşeli plateau. "This is an untouched region of wetlands that I love very much. The ecosystem is quite different compared to other regions. There are cedar, juniper, spruce, fir and pine trees up to about 700 meters. There are many endemic flowers at higher altitudes as well. Also, bulbous plants, crocuses in yellow and various colors, tall hyacinths, fritillaria imperialis, commonly known as crown imperial and tall tulips can be seen across a vast area," he added. "A little farther up, the Ipar rose can be photographed at the Sultan Ana summit. They are expected to bloom a bit late this year due to the heavy snow. The rivers fed by the runoff and spring waters flow south, meandering from Lake Eğrigöl and some running into the Alara River, while the remaining meanders go to the sea. This region is rarely known, and therefore not protected. It must absolutely be taken under protection."


Since the number of people who come for picnics has recently increased, Gülşen said that some environmental problems have started to appear. "People started littering in the region. We come back every year to collect garbage, but this is not an effective solution. People need to become conscientious, and the region should be protected. It can be considered a nature park. It is a very important region for the ecosystem so people need to be very sensitive about it."


He also stressed that Lake Eğrigöl accommodates many kinds of nature sports, adding that it is really a beautiful area for nature tourism and one of the most beautiful places for mountain biking, nature photography, camping, climbing, skiing and trekking.
Erdi Yılmaz, an academic at Uşak University who has been mountain climbing for about 15 years, said: "I have climbed many mountains in Turkey. I love the Taurus Mountains very much. We decided to camp in Lake Eğrigöl to see snow in May. I take photos of nature here and share them on social media. This region is very close to Antalya, and it is really pleasing to camp in the snow at 2,000 meters, while people in nearby Antalya are going swimming on the beach."