Kaçkar highlands
Mountain valleys and summer pastures
Choose a valley route suited to weather and experience.
Rize & Kaçkar Mountains, Türkiye
Ideal: 3–5 daysBest: Apr–Jun, Sep–OctPrice: Moderate
In 60 seconds
Rize & Kaçkar Mountains in 60 seconds
Rize's wet green coast climbs quickly into the Kaçkar Mountains, where tea slopes give way to forests, yayla pastures and serious alpine terrain. The city is a transport base rather than a preserved old town. Choose one valley and stay overnight rather than treating the highlands as a quick photo drive. Rain, road conditions and mountain weather shape the journey; local guides are sensible for longer high routes.
Best for
- Black Sea
- Mountains
- Tea
Known for
- Kaçkar highlands
- Tea landscapes
- Fırtına Valley
Skip if
You need predictable dry weather or easy paved access to all upland sites.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Rize & Kaçkar Mountains fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Tea landscapes
Steep cultivated slopes along the coast
See the working agricultural landscape, not just a tasting room.
Fırtına Valley
River valley with historic bridges
Follow the valley slowly and avoid unnecessary traffic on narrow roads.
Beyond the obvious
Hidden gems
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Çamlıhemşin
Valley town below the highlands
A practical stop before the mountain roads.
Pokut plateau
High pasture settlement
Stay only if road and weather conditions are suitable.