1. The Plateau famous for its hot springs, Ayder
Ayder Plateau of Rize Çamlıhemşin province is around 1 hour away from the city centre, and this lovely highland is one of the first destinations that comes to mind among Black Sea Highlands. Located at the 1350 m altitude, Ayder Plateau leans against Kaçkar Mountains. The plateau is located among lush spruce and beech forests as well as hornbeam, chestnut and fir forests ranging from yellow to red. Accommodation options are plenty. You can stay at hostels or bungalows. You can travel to the plateau on buses leaving from the city centre. Standing out with its rich flora and fauna, Ayder Plateau is home to beauties distinct to four different seasons. There are also hot springs which you can use in all seasons. These are so famous that many people in the Ottoman Era went to this highland to find cure to their ailments.
2. Oxygen spring: Elevit Plateau
Another plateau in Çamlıhemşin is Elevit. The plateau is located at Çat Valley and you can reach after passing Fırtına Valley which is selected by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as among 200 priority ecoregion for global conservation. Located at an altitude of 1884 on the slopes of Kaçkar Mountain, Elevit Plateau is a serene paradise with its stream flowing peacefully among greenery, rich variety of flowers and unique houses. Camping on the plateau, where there are Black Sea highland hotels and bungalows, is also an alternative.
3. That misty place in photos: Pokut Plateau
Another beautiful destination in Çamlıhemşin is Pokut Plateau. Located at an altitude of 2032 m, Pokut is prominent among Black Sea highlands with its misty sceneries and unique log houses. Pokut Plateau wrapped with pine forests stands out with its rich biodiversity as well as special architecture. You can take a trekking tour to Sal Plateau at 3 to 4 km away. If you are confident, you can walk to Hazindak Plateau with a 15 km walk.
4. Lie down over the clouds in Gito Plateau!
About 25 minutes from Rize and 2 hours from Çamlıhemşin, Gito Plateau is another highland that will make you feel above clouds with an altitude of 2070 m. The deep presence of green and blue flowing among the clouds like a white blanket laid under your feet will thrill you. Gito Plateau has unique chalets for accommodation. You can stay at these chalets in Gito Plateau. You should definitely visit Zil Fortress built on a large rock at an altitude of 750 m overlooking Fırtına Valley while ascending to Gito Plateau.
5. Anzer Plateau, The centre of the world famous Anzer honey
Located Rize İkizdere, Anzer Plateau is about 2 hours away from the city centre. There are accommodation facilities available at the plateau having an altitude of 2105 m. You can hike at the plateau wrapped in different shades of green during summer, and yellow to red in winter months. If you are interested in photography, its nature will treat you generously. You can also take paragliding tours here. The world famous Anzer Honey is produced from hundreds of different species of flowers found in these highlands. As the name suggests, the world famous Anzer honey is distilled from hundreds of different types of flowers in these highlands.
6. The mists of Sis Mountain Plateau will cover you like a blanket!
Sis Mountain Plateau is located on the peak of Sis Mountain in Giresun Görele at an altitude of 1950 m. Located about 2 hours away from the city centre, you can enjoy sceneries wrapped in misty clouds in this plateau. You can stay nearby Sis Mountain or camp on the plateau. If you happen to pass by during July, we recommend you to attend Sis Mountain Festivals.
7. Kümbet; more than a plateau!
Located in Dereli district and about 1 hour away from Giresun city centre, Kümbet Plateau is a Black Sea Plateau with an altitude of 1640. No matter which season you are in, this is the place where you will experience all four seasons together in one day. You can stay in Kümbet hotels or chalets. As you are in Kümbet Plateau, you can also visit the 6.5-kilometer long and 1.5-meter high Hacı Abdullah Wall at Çıkrıkkapı Plateau, built 400 years ago having a single gate and which was one of the longest man-made walls with China’s Great Wall and Hadrian’s Wall. While you are visiting Dereli District, another natural wonder to see is the Blue Lake getting more famous each passing day. The Blue Lake also known as the “Lye Lake” formed by a combination of three different lakes. The lake is known as the only lake where lye water flows as a creek in the Eastern Black Sea Region.
8. Bullfighting in highlands – Kafkasör Plateau
Located 20 minutes from Artvin, Kafkasör Plateau is a Black Sea Plateau with an altitude of 1250 m. You can participate in the Kafkasör Culture and Arts Festival held during the first week of July. You can watch bullfighting and folklore events called Atabarı in this festival Organized by Society for Supporting Bulls and Protecting Plateaus. Do not forget to drink healing waters named Cıskaro, Yalnızhasan and Acısu when you are there. As the highland is close to Artvin, you can stay in hotels located at the city centre.
9. Natural wonder on the peak of the mountain: Hıdırnebi Plateau
Hıdırnebi Plateau, where rural festivals are held every year towards the end of July. Located in Trabzon Akçaabat, Hıdırnebi Plateau is 1 hour from the city centre. At an altitude 1600 m and as the closest plateau to the coast, it is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in Trabzon. You can stay in bungalows or camp at the Hıdırnebi Plateau. You can participate in the rural festivities organized each year at the end of July at a place called Argalos Meadow located behind the Hıdırnebi cliffs of the plateau. While you are in Akçaabat, you can also drink a lemony haşlama (stew) soup in the joints located at the entrance of the district. Of course, you must eat Akçaabat meatballs as well before you return.
10. Paragliding fun in highlands: Perşembe Plateau
Located 2 hours away from Ordu city centre, Perşembe Plateau offers distinct beauties to the visitors with its meanders and plateau lake. The camp located at the altitude of 1500 m is also very suitable for safari and paragliding. You can stay in hotels at Ordu or hostels in the plateau. Perşembe is also one of the plateaus that hosts festivals during July. Considering that the Black Sea’s most enjoyable moments can be experienced in summer months, participating to these festivities during your visit can be great fun.
11. Stunningly misty sunsets on the Huser Plateau!
Although the views on the Black Sea highlands of Türkiye are always captivating, especially during sunset, they are even more spectacular on the Huser Plateau. With an elevation of 2,328 meters on Kaçkarlar, one of the highest mountains in Türkiye, the Huser Plateau truly provides unforgettable moments of beauty! Visitors can take amazing photos on swings that extend to the sky, while enjoying the fresh atmosphere and natural beauty.
Where is the Huser Plateau?
Huser Plateau is 12 kilometers from the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province.
12. The Sultan Murat Plateau with its deep-rooted history and natural atmosphere
We end our wonderful trip to the Black Sea highlands of Türkiye in one of the most popular areas of Trabzon! The beautiful Sultan Murat Plateau also has historical importance, as the name suggests. Returning from the Iranian expedition in 1635, Ottoman Sultan Murat IV stayed here with his army. There is also a memorial on the Sultan Murat Plateau for soldiers who died after the war with Russia in World War I in 1916.
When you visit Trabzon’s Sultan Murat Plateau – at an altitude of 2,200 meters – you can see the memorial in addition to taking nature walks.
Where is the Sultan Murat Plateau?
The Sultan Murat Plateau is in the Çaykara district of Trabzon, 25 kilometers from the district center.
No matter in which plateau you are, do not return without doing the following!
- Watch the sun rise!
- Immerse in the night sky covered with stars!
- Drink a delicious tea overlooking highlands!
- Listen to kemenche, bagpipes!
- Dance the halay, play the horon!
Stories knock at your door!
You can easily download images, and share on your social media accounts via your smartphone. Just press and hold the story, and save or share the image you have selected via the menu that appears.
