Kartepe

Marmara, Turkey 2 tours visit here

Kartepe is a district of Kocaeli province in Turkey's Marmara region, stretching from the southern shore of the Gulf of İzmit up into the wooded Samanlı Mountains. It takes its name from the peak above it, which reaches around 1,600 metres and holds one of the closest ski areas to Istanbul, reached by a winding road that climbs from the lakeside plain into the forest and out above the treeline. The summit is the main reason people come. In winter it works as a compact ski resort with marked runs, lifts, rental equipment and hotels at the top, and on clear days the view runs down over Lake Sapanca to the Gulf of İzmit. Outside the ski season the same road carries walkers, cyclists and drivers, and the cool highland air makes the mountain a common escape from summer heat on the coast. Lower down the district is green and well watered. Villages such as Maşukiye lie among forest streams and are known for trout restaurants and shaded picnic grounds, while the shore of Lake Sapanca gives flatter, easier walking. Kartepe is usually visited as a day trip or overnight stop from Istanbul and is often combined with Sapanca; the summit alone takes roughly half a day including the drive up.