Kadıralak Plateau is a plateau in the Tonya district of Trabzon province in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye. It is located approximately 9 kilometers west of the town center and has an average altitude of 1300 meters above sea level. This altitude provides the plateau with a cool climate and allows the development of a rich vegetation compatible with the humid nature of the Black Sea . Kadıralak Plateau has the geographical and climatic characteristics specific to the Black Sea plateaus; despite having a topographically rugged structure, it contains paths suitable for walking and natural plains.

The plateau largely preserves its natural structure as it is not open to intensive touristic use. This makes the area an alternative destination for nature tourism.

The ecologically rich plateau surroundings are covered with forest areas consisting of tree species such as spruce, fir and Scots pine . In late spring and early summer , the vegetation in the region takes on various shades of green, and the naturally growing Scilla bifolia (blue star flower) stands out among the characteristic plants of the plateau during this period. This species, which blooms especially in May and June , provides the region with visual and biological diversity . In addition, various bird species, small mammals and insect populations are observed on the plateau. These features make the Kadıralak Plateau one of the areas of importance in terms of ecotourism.

Cultural Features

Kadıralak Plateau is one of the settlements that bear traces of the traditional Black Sea plateau culture. In the past, the local people migrated to this plateau during the summer months for animal husbandry purposes, but today, the activities of highland farming have greatly decreased. However, some highland houses are still in use. These structures generally consist of wooden houses built on stone foundations and have architectural features suitable for the climatic conditions of the region.

The plateau is currently used by local people as a daily visitor area, especially in the summer months, for picnics, nature walks and to benefit from the cool weather conditions. Although large-scale plateau festivals are not organized on the plateau, community- based events are held from time to time . These events contribute to the survival of certain elements of traditional plateau culture.

Kadıralak Plateau is a plateau that has largely preserved its natural structure because it has not been exposed to the intense effects of mass tourism. This feature makes the area suitable for individual visits based on interaction with the natural environment . The main activities that can be carried out on the plateau include nature walks, bird and plant observation, landscape viewing, camping and photography. The late spring and early summer periods are especially prominent in terms of landscape photography.

Although it is possible to camp on the plateau, infrastructure services are limited. There are no accommodation facilities in the region and food and beverage opportunities are quite limited. This situation causes the area to be preferred by nature travelers with individual equipment.

^{Kadıralak Plateau (TRT News)}

Transportation Opportunities

Transportation to Kadıralak Yaylası is provided by private vehicles from Tonya district center. The road from the district center to the yayla is largely asphalt , some sections are narrow and winding. The road can become slippery due to rainfall, especially in spring . Therefore, care should be taken in terms of driving safety, and high-performance vehicles should be preferred if possible. Since public transportation vehicles do not go to the yayla, individual transportation or local guide support is required. Navigation systems generally guide the yayla road correctly, but since mobile signal can be weak in some areas, maps should be downloaded in advance or route support should be obtained from people with regional knowledge.

Kadıralak Plateau sees the most intense influx of visitors during the period between late spring and early summer (May– July ) . This is the time period when the vegetation in the region revives, species such as Scilla bifolia (blue star flower) bloom, and weather conditions are suitable for outdoor activities.

In autumn, the plateau takes on a characteristic appearance with its yellowing leaf cover and dense fog. In winter , the region becomes difficult to reach due to snowfall ; in some periods, roads are closed and access to the plateau can be completely stopped. For this reason, visits during the winter months are limited in terms of transportation and security.

Ecological and Urban Importance

Kadıralak Plateau is an area where urbanization is limited and agricultural and animal husbandry activities are not intensively carried out. This situation increases the ecological value of the plateau; it constitutes an important environmental resource for the local people in terms of natural air circulation and microclimate characteristics . The plateau is rich in flora and fauna diversity and has the potential for the protection of biodiversity.

The limited unplanned construction on the plateau provides a suitable ground for sustainable tourism practices. However, the preservation of this natural structure depends on factors such as keeping visitor traffic under control, spreading environmental awareness and local governments supporting the process with protection-based practices.