"RIZE KACKAR MOUNTAINS RAFTING HIKING TRANS KACKAR" Rize Ili by orkunhapeloglu

The Kackar Mountains, part of the Karadeniz Daglari (Black Sea) Alps, is the glaciated, granite mountain range which hugs the south coast of the Black Sea, extending from the Caucasus towards Istanbul.

Lushly wooded on the north, with pines succeeded at lower levels by chestnut, hornbeam and beech trees, with tea plantations and hazlenut groves spilling down towards the waves. The contrasting southern slopes are patched by summer pastures where black bulls graze. Lakes, springs and streams are plentiful and clear.


The crown of the range is the Altiparmak (six fingered) and Kackar mountains, and Mount Kackar, at 3932m, is the fifth highest peak in Turkey. Best points to arrive are on the south side of the range, which is exempt from damp rolling mists which clothe the northern slopes most afternoons. The locals say that if the north face has 5 clear days in a month, it's a surprise; if the south has 5 rainy days, it's amazing.