Three stops between Ladik and Havza: a lake, thermal springs and a ski resort on one route
In inland Samsun, three stops between the districts of Ladik and Havza can be visited in a single day: the 870-hectare Lake Ladik, Akdağ Ski Resort with a peak at 2,062 metres, and Havza Thermal Springs, where the water reaches 53 degrees Celsius. All three lie within 65 to 81 kilometres of central Samsun and are close to one another.
For visitors heading south from central Samsun, the area between the districts of Ladik and Havza offers a route that combines nature, winter sports and thermal water in a single day. Spread across the northern and southern slopes of Mount Akdağ, the three stops are within short driving distance of each other.
An 870-hectare lake at the foot of Akdağ
The first stop on the route, Lake Ladik, lies in Samsun's Ladik district on the northern foothills of Mount Akdağ. About 65 kilometres from the city centre, the lake covers roughly 870 hectares and is considered one of the region's most visited natural spots, surrounded by pine forests. A walking trail of about 7 kilometres runs along the shore, and the calm water is suitable for light water sports such as canoeing and rowing. The picnic areas along the shore are among the most popular spots for visitors, especially at sunset.
A ski resort whose peak reaches 2,062 metres
The second stop, close to Lake Ladik, is Akdağ Ski Resort, also in Ladik district. About 7 kilometres from the district centre and 80 kilometres from central Samsun, the facility sits between 1,500 and 2,000 metres in elevation, using the slopes of Mount Akdağ, whose peak reaches 2,062 metres. Six separate ski runs, ranging from 1,600 to 3,500 metres in length, are laid out to suit skiers of different levels.
The resort is not limited to the winter months. During summer plateau festivals held here, grass-skiing competitions take place, and the hotels on site offer year-round accommodation. The facility also includes social amenities operated by Samsun Metropolitan Municipality.
Havza Thermal Springs, where the water reaches 53 degrees
The third stop on the route, Havza Thermal Springs, is about 1 kilometre from the centre of Havza district and roughly 81 kilometres from central Samsun. Since the district sits at around the 80th kilometre of the Samsun-Ankara highway (D795), it is easily reached from both Samsun and inland Anatolia. The spring water reaches a surface temperature of about 53 degrees Celsius and contains iron, silica, sodium and some calcium bicarbonate.
According to Ministry of Health test results, Havza's mineral-rich water is used to support the treatment of rheumatic conditions, varicose veins, some skin conditions and certain neurological complaints. Thermal hotels in the district centre operate year-round, while more than a hundred houses open as guesthouses for visitors during the summer months.
For visitors wishing to combine all three stops in a single day, the recommended order is a morning walk by the lake, an afternoon at the ski resort for the view, and finishing the day with a soak in Havza's thermal water. While the ski resort offers slopes in winter and a plateau atmosphere in summer, Havza's thermal water keeps flowing at the same temperature all year round.