Kackar Mountains | Trekking and Climbing

The Kackar Mountains are visually dissimilar from any other main walking area in the country and probably differ from most people's perception of what a walking holiday in Turkey involves.

Up in the north-east of Turkey, the Kackar range is part of the Pontic Alps which are situated on the south coast of the Caspian Sea. The granite peaks are a large area with different habitats according to which side of the slopes a walk is taken. While the pines and beech trees of the north side are reminiscent to the landscape of a central European country, the south side possesses lakes and streams which create an altogether more tranquil atmosphere in the summer months.

Hikes in the winter months of February and March are only undertaken by seasoned snow trekkers and even the residents who work the land during the summer months head home to the cities for the winter, such is the inhospitable climate. Recommended walking season is July to September and walkers are advised to plan their expeditions on the south side of the range so as to avoid the wetter weather the north side can bring.

It is not feasible to spend a holiday walking in the Kackars without camping. Although there are some pensions and guesthouses along the way, usually, two or three days travelling will involve an overnight stay in a tent, punctuated by a night of comfort in accommodation, before the following leg of a trip begins.

Many treks start in the village of Yaylalar, where backpacks can be unloaded on to mules and an English-speaking local guide - an essential for any group who hasn't walked the Kackars before - can be sought out.

A first-day trek up the attractive valley of the Buyuk Cay stream to the relaxing surroundings of the Deniz Golu lake. After a night tucked away in a tent, the task of summiting Mount Kackar can begin at day break the following morning.

After heading up to Dilberduzu, a base camp for those planning an assault on Mount Kackar, tents will be pitched for the night. Many guides take trekkers on a warm-up excursion to the nearby lakes, before the big climb the next day.

Mount Kackar is the fifth-highest peak in Turkey and trekkers can expect a highly-populated route right up to the summit. The view from the top is worth it however, especially looking in the direction down past the eastern Black Sea Mountains.

The Kackar Mountains were named as a National Park in 1995 and the area provides alternative activities for those who feel like giving their feet a rest. Rafting can be arranged on the River Coruh, which rises at 3,000 metres, flowing down to the Black Sea over 650 kilometres.

A walk though the Kackar range will appeal to experienced walkers who can look after a tent and equipment, though anyone fit enough to tackle several hours of slope scaling should seriously consider the trip, if only for the magnificent sunrise and sunset which many visitors have enjoyed from atop the peaks.