Kaçkar Mountains

The Kaçkar Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeast of Türkiye, within the Eastern Black Sea Region. They form the eastern extremity of the North Anatolian Mountains system, which runs parallel to the Black Sea. These mountains lie within the boundaries of the districts of Çamlıhemşin, Fındıklı, Ardeşen, and İkizdere in Rize and the district of Yusufeli in Artvin, and are characterized by steep topography rising from the Black Sea coast toward the interior.

The highest point of the range is Kaçkar Mountain (Kaçkar Kavrun Peak) at an elevation of 3932 metres, making it the fourth highest mountain in Türkiye. Extending from the Verçenik Mountains in the west to the Altıparmak Mountains in the east, the Kaçkars present a complex topographic structure featuring numerous valleys, deep gorges, and glacial features.

Geological Structure and Morphological Features

The Kaçkar Mountains are a mountain system that rose during the Neotectonic period as part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogeny. The main geological units in the region consist of Paleozoic metamorphic rocks (schist, gneiss), Mesozoic marine sediments, and volcanic rocks from the Paleocene–Eocene epochs.

Glacial features are still clearly visible in areas near the summit. Cirques, moraines, glacial valleys, and small glacial lakes are frequently encountered. This is one of the areas in Türkiye where glacial landforms are most distinctly observable.

Climate and Hydrography

The Kaçkar Mountains lie under the influence of a typical Black Sea climate. They receive consistent rainfall throughout the year; in areas near the coast, annual precipitation can exceed 2500 mm. Temperature decreases with elevation, and snowfall is prevalent for much of the year.

The region is a hydrological center for numerous rivers. The main rivers include:

• Fırtına Stream (flows into the Black Sea from the Çamlıhemşin direction)
• Barhal Creek (joins the Çoruh River from the Yusufeli direction)
• Hemşin Stream
• Palovit Stream and other tributaries.
• Among the glacial lakes are Büyük Deniz Lake (3384 m, Türkiye’s highest glacial lake), Tober Lake, Ağsar Lake, and Verçenik Lake.

Flora and Fauna (Biodiversity)

The Kaçkars are one of Türkiye’s most biodiverse regions. Vegetation varies across different elevation zones as follows:

• 0–800 m: Broadleaf forests in coastal areas (oriental beech, chestnut, hornbeam)
• 800–1800 m: Mixed forests (Nordmann fir, Caucasian spruce, Turkish pine, oak)
• 1800–2500 m: Alpine meadows and tree line
• Above 2500 m: Endemic alpine species (e.g., Primula longipes, Campanula troegerae)

Wildlife is highly diverse. The region’s fauna includes mammals such as the brown bear, wolf, roe deer, chamois, wild goat, and lynx, as well as bird species such as the golden eagle, bearded vulture, and black vulture. Additionally, the Kaçkars lie along migration routes for numerous bird species moving between Europe and the Middle East.

Settlement, Transhumance, and Cultural Structure

Rural life around the Kaçkar Mountains has long developed in tandem with traditional transhumance. In particular, communities around Çamlıhemşin and Yusufeli migrate to high-altitude pastures during the summer months. Temporary wooden houses and stone-built structures are found on these pastures.

Well-known pastures such as Ayder, Pokut, Sal, Elevit, Amlakit, Hazindak, Yaylalar, and Dilberdüzü hold an important place in the region’s cultural memory. The area, predominantly inhabited by Hemshin and Laz communities, is also rich ethnographically in its music, traditional crafts, and architecture.

Tourism

Since the 1990s, the Kaçkar Mountains have become a major destination for both domestic and international tourists, coinciding with the growth of nature tourism in Türkiye. The region’s diverse natural landscapes, rich ecosystems, and mountainous terrain make it ideal for various outdoor activities.

Mountaineering (Alpinism and Summit Ascents)

The summit of Kaçkar Mountain (3937 m) is considered one of Türkiye’s most technically challenging climbing routes. Mountaineering activities are concentrated primarily during the summer months of July and August. Summit ascents are typically completed over a three-day route. The route presents moderate technical difficulty; due to glacier crossings and altitude, guided climbs are recommended. The Kaçkars are also suitable for winter mountaineering, but require significant preparation due to snow and avalanche risks.

Trekking (Long-Distance Hiking Routes)

The Kaçkar Mountains host numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. Among the most well-known trekking routes are:

• Çat Valley – Elevit Pasture – Tirovit Pasture – Palovit Pasture route: Of moderate difficulty, ideal for observing traditional pasture architecture and endemic vegetation.
• Barhal Valley – Altıparmak Mountains pass: One of the more challenging sections on the Artvin side.
• Verçenik Mountain circuit routes: Particularly notable for access to glacial lakes and summit-area hikes.
• Trans-Kaçkar Pass: This route, stretching from Rize to Artvin and typically taking 5–7 days, is one of Türkiye’s most comprehensive trekking trails.

Along these hiking routes, traditional pasture settlements, historic footpaths, glacial lakes, and rich flora and fauna can be observed. The region’s unique flowering periods—particularly late June and early July—are favored by nature observers.

Pasture Tourism

The Kaçkars are among the primary areas where the Black Sea transhumance culture remains active. Pastures such as Ayder, Pokut, Sal, Amlakit, Hazindak, Elevit, and Palovit attract both local populations and tourists, especially during the summer months. These pastures are notable for their traditional wooden architecture, festivals, regional cuisine, and natural landscapes.

• Ayder Pasture is the most visited center due to its thermal springs and developed accommodation infrastructure.
• Pokut and Sal Pastures are preferred for their sea-of-clouds vistas and photography opportunities.
• Elevit Pasture attracts nature enthusiasts due to its high elevation and hiking trails.

Nature Observation and Photography

The Kaçkar Mountains are a valuable area for observation and photography due to their rich fauna and flora. Particularly:

• Flowering periods of endemic plant species,
• Morning light reflections on glacial lakes,
• Migration and nesting periods of golden eagles, bearded vultures, and other rare bird species,
• Cultural traces of pasture life,

are of interest to both amateur and professional nature photographers.

The optimal period for wildlife observation is from late spring to early summer. These observations along nature trails should be conducted in a controlled and low-impact manner.

Conservation Status and Environmental Issues

Conservation Status

Due to its high biodiversity, unique landscape values, and traditional cultural structures, the Kaçkar Mountains were declared the Kaçkar Mountains National Park on 31 August 1994. The national park covers a vast area of 52,970 hectares and is managed by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

Within the protected area’s boundaries are high mountain ecosystems, alpine meadows, forest belts, glacial lakes, deep valleys, and rare animal species. Additionally, the traditional transhumance culture, stone-and-wood structures, and agricultural activities conducted during summer months are included in the conservation framework as cultural landscape values.

The national park status aims to limit uncontrolled urbanization and industrial investments while promoting sustainable tourism practices within a balance of conservation and use.

Environmental Threats

In recent years, the Kaçkar Mountains have faced significant environmental pressures due to various anthropogenic activities. These threats endanger both ecological balance and cultural heritage:

Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) Projects

The region’s abundant water resources have made it the focus of numerous small and medium-scale HPP projects. Particularly, HPPs planned or constructed along the Fırtına Valley, Hemşin Stream, and Barhal Valley alter river regimes, destroy habitats of endemic species, and cause irreversible damage to valley ecosystems.

Road Construction and Expansion Works

The construction and asphalt expansion of road networks extending to pastures to improve tourism access negatively impact natural topography. Cutting through natural slopes increases landslide and erosion risks, while engineering practices incompatible with the terrain disrupt flora and fauna corridors. Road connections between pastures have also led to the disappearance of traditional hiking trails.

Mining Permits

Mining exploration and operation permits granted in areas adjacent to the national park boundaries are concentrated particularly in Artvin and Yusufeli. These permits for gold, copper, and other metallic ores lead to direct deforestation, water pollution, and habitat fragmentation. Geothermal exploration also exerts pressure on the regional ecosystem.

Uncontrolled Tourism Activities

Growing tourist interest in the region has led to unplanned and unregulated construction in some areas. In centers such as Ayder Pasture: reinforced concrete buildings have increased, traditional architecture has been compromised, and solid waste management has proven inadequate. Additionally, rising visitor numbers have resulted in vegetation damage, wildlife displacement, and contamination of water sources.