TUNCELİ / Sedar Can Eren / AA

- Glacial Coral Lakes are located in Tunceli province in eastern Turkey

- Snow blends with turquoise waters amid stunning natural scenery at an altitude of around 2,000 meters

** Chairman of the Elazığ Mountaineering Sports Club, Murat Bahçeci:

- We enable people to see natural beauty in real life, not just in photos

- We visit Tunceli annually from Elazığ in groups of 30 to 40 people

** Nature lover Samet Asutay:

- The wildlife in the region was what caught my attention the most

- The region is a piece of heaven, and I invite everyone to visit it

** Visitor Samet Kırmaz:

- We saw large numbers of mountain goats and brown bears, and we took videos of them

- The region is also characterized by its clean air, waters, flowers, and endemic plants

With rising temperatures and melting snow, the Glacial Coral Lakes in the Ovacık district of Tunceli province in eastern Turkey have regained their summer activity, attracting nature lovers with scenes that combine winter and summer in one place.

The Ovacık district, especially during spring and summer, experiences notable tourist activity thanks to its mild climate, mountain meadows, waterfalls, glacial lakes, along with growing mountaineering activities.

With the rise in temperatures in recent weeks, the snow covering the surface of the Glacial Coral Lakes has begun to melt gradually.

When the snow recedes, the lake waters appear in shades ranging from blue to turquoise and green, making it one of the prominent stops for nature enthusiasts from Tunceli and neighboring provinces.

** The Road to the Glacial Lakes

Participants in daily trips head to the region from the center of Ovacık district, then continue by car to the village of "Şahverdi" at the entrance of Mercan Valley.

From there, the most exciting part of the journey begins, as visitors continue on foot through mountain trails that take about three hours.

After reaching the Glacial Coral Lakes, located at an altitude of about 2,000 meters above sea level, visitors move among the three lakes spread across the area.

Visitors spend their time hiking and taking photos, while some prefer picnics or swimming in the cold lake waters to escape the summer heat.

** Where Winter Meets Summer

The region's appeal is not limited to the lakes alone; it offers visitors an experience of a scene combining two seasons at once.

As the snow melts heralding the start of summer, large areas of the mountains remain covered with snow, forming a natural tableau where winter white blends with summer green.

The region is also known for its biodiversity, where visitors can see various wild animals in their natural habitat, including the ibex with curved horns, brown bears, and mountain goats, enhancing the appeal for wildlife and photography enthusiasts.

** Nature Through the Eyes of Visitors

Murat Bahçeci, chairman of the Elazığ Mountaineering Sports Club, said the club organizes activities aimed at introducing people to nature and encouraging them to discover it firsthand.

He added in an interview with AA that interest in nature trips increases year after year, noting that they strive 'for people to see these natural landscapes with their own eyes, not only through photos.'

He explained that they visit Tunceli annually with 'groups of 30 to 40 people from Elazığ, with the total number of participants in these trips reaching around 300.'

He added that this number could increase with greater awareness and promotion of the region.

He pointed out that the Munzur Mountains contain peaks over 3,000 meters, many of which remain undiscovered despite growing interest among mountaineers in Turkey.

He explained that in recent years they have begun exploring these peaks and learning their names from local residents.

He noted that Tunceli province has many hiking trails, but they prefer to organize trips to locations accessible and enjoyable for various groups.

** 'A Piece of Heaven'

For his part, nature lover Samet Asutay said he came to Tunceli from Bursa province to spend time in the Munzur and Mercan mountains, noting that the wildlife in the region was what caught his attention the most.

He explained that his first visit was last year, during which he was able to see a number of animals, such as brown bears and mountain goats.

He added that his trip this year to the Glacial Coral Lakes allowed him to see these animals again in their natural habitat.

Asutay described the region as 'a piece of heaven,' inviting everyone to visit it.

He noted that the natural landscape has changed noticeably compared to last year.

He explained that snow was almost absent during his previous visit, while today each lake is surrounded by a layer of snow about one to two meters high.

He added that the current season has seen a delay in seasonal transition by about 20 to 25 days, accompanied by heavy snowfall.

** Captivating Wildlife

In turn, Samet Kırmaz said he is visiting Tunceli for the first time, expressing admiration for what he saw in its rural areas.

He added that the province has an exceptional nature and rich wildlife.

He explained that they saw 'large numbers of mountain goats and brown bears, and we took videos of them.'

He noted that the region is also characterized by its clean air, waters, flowers, and endemic plants.

He continued: 'We greatly admired the areas of Mercan Valley, Mirg Plateau, and Kırkmerdiyon Waterfalls, as well as city centers.'

He concluded by saying that what struck them most in Tunceli was its mountains.

The Glacial Coral Lakes continue to welcome visitors during the summer season, where the remaining snow on the mountain slopes blends with turquoise waters and wildlife, a scene that attracts nature lovers from all over Turkey.