Kackar Mountains

The very idea of the Kaçkar Mountains can surprise in dry Turkey: you don’t expect blue lakes amidst imposing peaks, mountainsides adorned with lush vegetation in many places, and impressive glaciers, which have given the range its rugged summits and deep valleys, making it one of Turkey’s most important glacial regions. This granite range is the highest part of the Pontic Alps, which form a narrow band for many miles, beside the Black Sea’s south-eastern coast, parallel to but set back from the sea. Its northern slopes are forested, damp and cloudy, the southern drier with the trees are mainly in the valley bottoms (rain shadow effect, no doubt). 

The wildlife and vegetation are an equal pull to the Kaçkars, with a huge variety of plants growing at different altitudes (thick forest on the lower slopes giving way to grassland above around 2,110m), and the mountains serving as a migratory route for wild birds and as a home for bear, jackal, fox, lynx, wild cat, mountain goat, roe, marten and sable.

A turbulent history has left a wide range of peoples, cultures and architecture in the valleys, including Georgian-speaking Muslims and (in theory) surviving Armenian Christians in the south. Ruined or converted churches and hilltop forts abound, and a walk and general exploration in the “Georgian Valleys” to the south-east should not be missed.

Parts of the Kaçkar are busy during the summer; with walkers generally focussing on the drier southern slopes, which are less prone to fog (see Best times to walk, below). They are also walkable in winter, but only by experienced snow-trekkers.

There are many superb treks to be made in the region, from day walks to classic (Top 100) traverses or circuits of the high massif around Mt Kackar itself, during which peak-baggers can slog to the 3,932m Mt Kaçkar summit. Options range from culturally and florally rich meanders among the lower valleys to demanding treks in the high mountains around crag, cliff, corrie and snow-girt tarns. All tastes can be genuinely catered for. Consider also the Altiparmak sub-range for less populated trails. 

These can be tough walks in high, remote mountains: be prepared.

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