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The Nemrut Caldera (Nemrut Kalderası) is an incredible natural site in Eastern Anatolia. It’s located west of Lake Van near the towns of Tatvan and Ahlat.
Introduction to the Nemrut Caldera
The Nemrut Caldera, which is nearly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) wide, is one of the largest calderas in the world. The volcano is named after King Nimrod, who was said to have ruled the area around 2100 BC.
The Nemrut Caldera is the youngest volcanic cone in Turkey and the last eruption was in October 1650. There are five lakes in the cone, two permanent and three seasonal.
The caldera was registered as a natural monument in 2003 and a Ramsar site on April 17, 2013. About 450 species of plants live in and around the caldera, with around 200 of them native to the region. A further 38 of them are endemic.
In addition to the wealth of plant life, the Nemrut Caldera is an important stopover for migrating birds. It’s a nesting ground for the griffon vulture, velvet duck, and golden eagle. Mammals living in the area include hares, foxes, and brown bears.
Lake Nemrut
Lake Nemrut (Nemrut Gölü), which is in the form of a crescent, covers the western half of the caldera. It’s at an elevation of 2,247 meters (7,372 feet) and covers an area of 2.36 square kilometers (4.77 square miles). The average depth is about 100 meters (330 feet) with a maximum depth of 176 meters (577 feet). The water in Lake Nemrut is colorless and odorless, and fishing is prohibited.
Lake Ilı
Lake Ilı (Ilı Gölü) sits near the northeast corner of Lake Nemrut. It was split from Lake Nemrut by an ancient lava flow. It’s closer to the fault line and has a higher temperature due to the inflow of water from hot springs. The temperature can reach up to 60 °C in the summer.
Visiting the Nemrut Caldera
To see the caldera for yourself, you’ll need your own transportation or you can hire a local guide to take you. We drove in on our way between Ahlat and Bitlis. It’s a bumpy brick road nearly all the way up and at times not in the best condition. Once you reach the caldera, the road takes you past Lake Ilı and ends at the northeast corner of Lake Nemrut.
At the end of the road is a small snack bar and an area you can view the lake. There were a few people picnicking and we saw a couple tents set up but there’s nothing else to see or do.
If you want better views and scenery, you can turn down a dirt road I indicated on the map below. Follow it for about 800 meters. It’s a little rough but you should be ok in a regular car. From this point, there are spectacular views of Lake Nemrut. There’s even a trail to a small beach at the bottom. We didn’t walk all the way down as to not disturb the group that arrived before us.
Lake Van Overlook
Just before entering (or right after leaving) the caldera, there’s a pullout with great views of Lake Van. You can also see Tatvan in the distance, and from the other side of the road get a panoramic view of the caldera.
