Kackar Mountains

The alpine forests, waterfalls, rivers, hot springs, and snow-capped Kackar Mountains beckon trekkers to the coastal Black Sea region of northeastern Turkey. The lower slopes are accessible from mid-May to mid-September, and the upper slopes starting in July. In the second week of June the Camlihemsin Ayder Festival celebrates Hemsin culture, food, and dance. For treks and camping, bring a good tent, stove, sleeping bag, walking boots, and warm clothes, even in the summer.

One possible way to get there is to first fly to the Trabzon Airport, take a bus to the Rize Otogar, a minibus from Pazar to Aydersen, and then finally an infrequent minibus to the villages of Camlihemsin and Ayder in the Firtina Valley. Firtina means storm in Turkish. Check with the locals for the exact schedules of public transport.

At the edge of the coastal zone at 300m, Camlihemsin village has the only ATM in the Kackar Mountains. Shops have supplies for treks. In the Firtina Valley, winch wires lift goods up to remote mountain houses. Nearby, Ekodanitinap has treehouses, cottages, solar power, and an organic farm. Black Sea food includes trout fish, stuffed cabbage, fried eggs with green peppers, and creamy custard.

The route from Camlihemsin to Ayder passes over ancient humpback bridges and streams. Ayder village at 1300m has high elevation pastures, the entrance to the Kackar Mountains National Park above, and waterfalls cascading to the river below. It is a common base for trekkers hiking the trails. Plus, the hot springs at Kaplica soothe all of the sore muscles and feet of trekkers.

From Ayder, a minibus goes to the mountain village of Yukari Kavron. Around Yukari Kavron and Caymakcur there are day walks along the lower slopes and lakes, including Buyuk Deniz Golu, or Big Sea Lake, and Dupeduz Creek. Hiring local guides for the trails is highly recommended because the trails are unmarked and may suddenly become hidden in the mist.

The three main higher altitude treks are the Trans-Kackar Trek, Kackar Summit Trek, and Trans-Altiparmak Trek:

The Trans-Kackar Trek stays around 3400m and goes from Yukari Kavron past Buyuk Deniz Golu over a bridge to Dupeduz Creek, where there is Dupeduz Campsite. The trail continues to Dobe Yayla and Olgunlar.

The Kackar Summit Trek goes from Olgunlar along Buyuk Creek, to Dilber Duzu Campsite, past Adsiz Golu, or Nameless Lake, and Deniz Golu, or Sea Lake, and finally up to the summit of Mt Kackar at 3937m.

The Trans-Altiparmak Trek starts at Dobaya, goes past Libler Golu to Pisenkaya and along Onbolat Creek to Mt Didvake at 3350m, Karagol at 3495m, Mt Karatas at 3330m, Naznara, Borivan, and Barhal (Altiparmak). 

Written for http://turkishvisafees.com/kackar-mountains/