What better way to truly take in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and cultures of new and exciting places than on a walking holiday? Of course it’s the ideal way of staying fit and active too. In Turkey, walks will lead you anywhere from the glorious coastlines to the idyllic countryside, or even into the heart of the country’s capital city. For those with a real taste for adventure, however, the Kaçkar Mountains offer the chance to really get off the beaten track and experience the stunning landscapes that the area has to offer.
A Truly Distinctive Experience
The thing about many serious walkers is that treading the well worn paths of others often doesn’t hold much appeal; not for them the neatly carved trails and convenient signposts. Instead, many are blessed with something of the adventurous spirits of early explorers and if those walking boots are going to take them anywhere, it had better be somewhere fresh and exciting! Although not what many would expect to find in Turkey, walks through the Kaçkar Mountains offer a truly distinctive experience which leave many feeling as though they have trodden virgin territory.
A Walk in the Park? Not Quite...
The Kaçkar Mountains, which are an extension of the Himalayas, lie in the national park of the same name, an area covering some 515 square miles and located in the north east of Turkey. Walks lead through the glaciated valleys and across moorland to the natural wonders of the lakes, glaciers and highlands beyond. Here, the visitor can experience the diverse and stunning scenery in areas known only to the local guides. Like Hillary and Tenzing venturing into the foothills of Mount Everest, the feeling of anticipation runs high as each turn opens up a whole new vista.
The Photographers’ and Botanists’ Paradise
It is certainly not hard to see why so many visitors are attracted to the area, or why photographers and botanists in particular have continued to find their way here. In parts distinctly reminiscent of the Alps, the Kaçkar Mountains, which reach 3,937 metres (almost 13,000 feet) at their highest point, actually offer a very surprising range of different landscapes. You might even be forgiven for mistaking some areas for certain parts of the English countryside rather than part of Turkey. Walks which take in the seven Yedigöller Lakes are particularly popular for nature photographers and autumn is considered to be an especially beautiful time of year; the colours of the foliage are nothing short of spectacular. As a glacial mountain range, however, these aren’t the only lakes that visitors will come across, and in fact there are literally hundreds in total, as well as a great many rivers and streams. For those interested in seeing the abundance of alpine flowers which provide a magnificent riot of colour, spring and summer are the best times to visit. Watch out for the local honey though, as it is said to have hallucinogenic qualities!
May the Gods Be With You
The Kaçkar Mountains’ answer to the spectacular monasteries at Meteora in Greece which perch perilously on pillars of rock and cling to the cliff faces, is the Sumela Monastery. It is an awe inspiring feat of engineering which looks as though it is moulded to the sheer rock face. Built by Greek Orthodox monks who decorated virtually every interior surface with biblical frescoes during the 18th century, the monastery offers the opportunity for visitors to explore the library, cells, shrines and chapels which were the home of the monks until 1923. Rising faded, but nevertheless majestic, above the thick vegetation, Sumela Monastery and its setting are quite simply exquisite and should certainly feature as part of any visitor’s Turkey walks.
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