Çatalca feels like two different landscapes in one: a sea on one side and a lake on the other. In this story we share a day on the sea side, at Ormanlı.
What is the Ormanlı coast like?
It is a long, breezy beach with very fine sand. We chose to go by motorcycle, as we had been before, and the roads are a real pleasure to ride. What keeps bringing us back is the last bend before the sea and the view that opens up in front of you. The ride itself is enjoyable, and at the end there is the sea.
What about the sunset and the lake side?
That day we could not stay for the sunset, but on earlier visits we had seen that the later hours are much more beautiful. If you want to see the sunset, you may want to stay into the evening. We also photographed another angle of Çatalca, with the lake and boats, and that duality makes it a place worth returning to.
Riding notes
Çatalca lies on the Thracian side of Istanbul and is remembered for the Çatalca Line, built to defend the city during the Balkan Wars. For riding to a coastal road, set your speed before each bend, look through the exit and stay smooth on the throttle. Sand can collect near the shore, so slow down there. Plan the return while there is still daylight.
For the bag, Rider Healthcare and Galata Healthcare offer sachets for riding days, and Educated Moto Riders runs motorcycle tours and trips if you prefer to ride with a group.
Read the full story in Turkish with photos and videos: Çatalca Ormanlı Sahili.