Photos of Lake Salda
Lake Salda
Lake Salda in Burdur Province, near Denizli, Turkey
Lake Salda is located in Burdur Province, at the foot of the Eseler massif, near the town of Yesilova. From central Denizli the lake is usually reached by car in 1.5-2 hours. It is a tectonic lake with a water surface area of around 44-45 square kilometers. The maximum depth reaches approximately 184 m, making Salda one of the deepest lakes in Turkey.
The shores are known for white deposits of magnesite and hydromagnesite, which give the shoreline an unusually pale appearance. The water is very clear and has a high magnesium content, but is not suitable for drinking. Surrounding areas include stretches of pine forest where partridges, hares, foxes and wild boar can be found.
The lake area is protected: in 1989 it was designated a protected natural site, and in 2019 a special environmental protection zone was established. To preserve the ecosystem, restrictions have been introduced: swimming is allowed only in designated places, the "White Islands" area is closed to passage and entry into the water, and motorized boats are prohibited.
Salda is also of interest to scientists. Mineral and microbial deposits on its shores are studied as a terrestrial analogue of some ancient Martian lake environments, attracting attention from international research teams.
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Lake Salda is located in Burdur Province, at the foot of the Eseler massif, near the town of Yesilova. From central Denizli the lake is usually reached by car in 1.5-2 hours. It is a tectonic lake with a water surface area of around 44-45 square kilometers. The maximum depth reaches approximately 184 m, making Salda one of the deepest lakes in Turkey.
The shores are known for white deposits of magnesite and hydromagnesite, which give the shoreline an unusually pale appearance. The water is very clear and has a high magnesium content, but is not suitable for drinking. Surrounding areas include stretches of pine forest where partridges, hares, foxes and wild boar can be found.
The lake area is protected: in 1989 it was designated a protected natural site, and in 2019 a special environmental protection zone was established. To preserve the ecosystem, restrictions have been introduced: swimming is allowed only in designated places, the "White Islands" area is closed to passage and entry into the water, and motorized boats are prohibited.
Salda is also of interest to scientists. Mineral and microbial deposits on its shores are studied as a terrestrial analogue of some ancient Martian lake environments, attracting attention from international research teams.
Follow access rules and designated swimming areas to help preserve the ecosystem.
White shores and clear water of the magnesite lake
Visitors have access to sections of public beaches with gentle entries, where swimming and shore relaxation areas are provided. The most popular access points are near Yesilova. The water color changes noticeably depending on depth and lighting, and the bottom in some places is covered with soft light deposits, so it is useful to have water shoes for entering the water.
In season, organized day-use areas operate on the shore with parking and picnic spots. Paths lead along the shoreline to viewpoints from which the contrast between the pale shores and the dark deep-water areas is clearly visible. Approach the water and move only along marked trails to avoid damaging fragile mineral formations.
The lake is under a protection regime: motorboats and driving vehicles on the beaches are prohibited, and the "White Islands" area is closed. Information boards on site indicate where swimming and access are allowed. Observing the rules helps preserve the rare shoreline deposits and microbial structures for which Salda is often compared to ancient lake landscapes on Mars.
The easiest way to reach the lake is by car from Denizli via regional roads toward Yesilova, then on to the marked public beaches. There are also scheduled buses from Denizli to Yesilova, from where the shore is a few kilometers away by taxi. On the way, the trip can be combined with visits to Pamukkale and the ancient Hierapolis in Denizli Province or a stop in the town of Burdur with its archaeological museum.
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