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Nature / Lake

Hıdırmenteş Lake

Çaldıran, Van

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A tectonic lake on the Çaldıran plateau, formed by the movements of the Çaldıran fault and declared a sensitive area to be strictly protected.

Safety warning

It is a protected area; do not drive onto the shore. It is a rural area in a border district; check road, weather and security conditions locally (district governorate, gendarmerie) before visiting.

Its story

Hıdırmenteş Lake is on the volcanic Çaldıran plateau, above 2000 meters, in the far north of Van. The lake was formed by the tectonic movements of the Çaldıran fault, which caused a major earthquake in 1976; this earthquake, which created a 50 km surface rupture, directly shaped the region's geological structure. Together with the nearby Çiçekli Lake, it has been declared a sensitive area to be strictly protected by Presidential decision in order to protect the basin's water regime and natural structure. Because of the highland climate, the lake's surroundings lie among pastures that turn green in summer; the summer months are the best time to see its waterbirds and calm scenery.

Key facts

Altitude
~2000 m+
Getting there
West of the Çaldıran district center
Visit duration
45 minutes

Trip purpose

  • Seasonal
  • Photography
  • Quiet

Location

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39.18025, 43.77086

Reviews

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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Hıdırmenteş | https://van.ktb.gov.tr/TR-437066/korunan-alanlar.html | https://van.ktb.gov.tr/TR-437303/caldiran.html | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/221107246