Sera Lake Orienteering Experience

A Green and Humid Orienteering Day Around Sera Lake

Sera Lake, located just west of Trabzon, encapsulates the entire character of the Black Sea forest in a small area. Under the beech and alder trees, there is a dense layer of shrubs, humid soil, moss-covered rocks, steep slopes surrounding the lake, and short stream beds leading to the water. This type of terrain shortens the visibility distance in orienteering; that's why it's a place that really teaches you how to read a map. In our guided program, we first sit down and decipher the map: we discuss how the vegetation becomes denser as the green deepens, how the brown contour lines indicate the slope of the terrain, and the symbols for streams and paths. Then, we practice using a compass to align the map with the terrain, finding north, and determining the direction angle between two points. Sera Lake itself is a large and reliable reference point; our guide teaches you how to use such safe boundaries to navigate.

Control Points, Slope, and Difficulty Levels

Each target in the field has an orange-white control flag and an electronic reading unit; you record your rank and time by reading your SI card on the unit. At the end of the day, we evaluate together where you went correctly and where you took the long way based on these records. We prepare three courses. The beginner course follows the regular walking path around the lake, the slope is minimal, and each control point is visible from the path. The medium course enters the trails and stream beds at the bottom of the slope, requiring distance estimation. The advanced course, on the other hand, asks for route selection in the sloping forest, i.e., whether to take a steep but short path or a longer but easier one. Half-day sessions last three hours, and full-day sessions last six hours. The region is rainy, and rain does not cancel the program; we reduce the pace, shorten the step, and gather the group more frequently on wet terrain.

Who Can Participate, What is Required

The program is for adults and families; it's perfectly fine if you're a beginner and have never seen a map before. Families with children complete the first tour together with the guide, and those who want to can go on their own later. Be sure to bring a hiking shoe with deep tread and good grip; slippery stones and wet roots are very common around Sera Lake, and flat-soled shoes can slip. Also, bring a raincoat or waterproof jacket, spare socks, at least one and a half liters of water, and a light protector against mosquitoes. We provide the map, compass, SI card, and first aid kit. The Black Sea forest is fragile; we do not take shortcuts outside the marked trails, do not collect flowers and mushrooms, and carry our waste back. If you want to try navigating with a map in the greenery of Sera Lake, our groups are limited, so create your registration today.