A wild and magnificent nature holiday passing above the clouds, among a thousand and one shades of green… The Eastern Black Sea highlands Rize and Artvin vehicle route offers an unforgettable 4-day plan for those who want to feel freedom in the steep mountains of the Black Sea. You will start the day in the world-famous Ayder Highland of Rize, and photograph the wooden Black Sea houses in the fog-shrouded Pokut and Sal highlands. You will see the magnificence of Zilkale on the road extending along the Fırtına River, and then transition to the unspoiled wild nature of Artvin, the Macahel valley. While boating in the still waters of Borçka Karagöl, the reflection of the forest will blow your mind. You can download this route plan, which is ideal for nature walk, camping, and photography enthusiasts, as an offline export in Gezirota, and visit your stops without ever getting confused even if there is no internet connection in the mountains.
Promising an unmatched adventure for nature enthusiasts, the Eastern Black Sea region stands out with its highlands floating above the clouds and wild streams. This comprehensive four-day itinerary invites those who want to discover the hidden natural beauties of Rize and Artvin on a unique journey. During this trip where you will be completely satiated with every shade of green, you will witness not only massive forest textures but also a deep-rooted cultural heritage. While enjoying the crisp fresh air in the high-altitude plateaus, majestic castles shaped by the challenging geography and roaring waterfalls will definitely make your excursion unforgettable. Especially for travelers who love taking photographs and going on long nature walks, this tour offers a literal paradise.
Your journey begins at Ayder Yaylası, one of the most well-known natural wonders of the Black Sea. After this famous plateau welcomes you with its impressive landscape, you will head to the Zil Kale, which overlooks the Fırtına Valley and resembles a fairytale castle. Once you feel the historical atmosphere, you can proceed to the Isırlık area, which gained nature park status in 2015, and relieve the tiredness of the day there. You can gracefully conclude the first day by visiting the Rize Müzesi, which thoroughly sheds light on the cultural history of the region. On your second day, after visiting the Rize Atatürk Evi Müzesi, another historical heritage site, you will set off towards Kale i Bala, an ancient settlement ruin. Following this historical discovery, you will turn your direction entirely to Artvin and stay alone with nature around the tranquil waters of Karagöl – Sahara, which has been a protected national park since 1994.
On the third day, you advance towards a challenging yet fascinating geography: Kaçkar Dağları. In this national park area hosting rich biological diversity, glacial lakes and high peaks will be waiting for you. During your nature walks here, you can witness the wild beauty of nature around the Erzurum İspir Verçenik Dağı wildlife development area, and later explore the Savangin Mağarası, one of the mysterious natural formations in the region. Towards the end of the day, watching the endless valleys from Seyir Tepesi will give you immense pleasure. On your fourth and final day, you set out towards the deep valleys of Artvin. First, you will observe the scenery of high hills and dense forests in the Hatila Vadisi national park, and then watch the visual feast created by the famous Murgul Deliklikaya Şelalesi. You will finalize your trip by finding ultimate peace in the untouched nature of Çamburnu, declared a nature conservation area in 1993.