Cappadocia, Taurus and Kaçkar – Great crossing of Turkey — Aventures Anatoliennes
12-day itinerant hiking trip in Turkey: Cappadocia valleys, Taurus canyons and Kaçkar peaks, with night train, Sumela and Ayder hot springs.
This itinerant journey links three emblematic massifs of Turkey. It begins with the troglodyte valleys and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, continues into the Taurus range with its high plateaus and dizzying canyons, then a night train reaches the east of the country and the Kaçkar mountains, the Pontic range, its yaylas, glacial passes and the thermal village of Ayder. A cultural thread (Seljuk cities, Sumela monastery) accompanies the adventure.
12 days · Level 3/5
- Hikes in the White, Red and Rose valleys of Cappadocia
- Derinkuyu underground city and Cimbar gorges in the Taurus
- Trek across the high pastures of the Kaçkar and Lanetleme pass (3,450 m)
- Overnight sleeper train Kayseri–Erzurum
- Seljuk city of Erzurum, Sumela monastery and Ayder hot springs
Day-by-day itinerary
- Kayseri – Cappadocia — Flight to Kayseri, welcome at the airport and transfer to Cappadocia (1h). Overnight in the village of Cavusin.
- White Valley – Uçhisar – Pigeon Valley – Göreme — Hike in the White Valley to Uçhisar and its panoramic fortress, then the Pigeon Valley to Göreme, returning to Cavusin via the Kiliclar valley. Walk: approx. 5h30 / +/- 200 m. Overnight in guesthouse in Cavusin.
- Ortahisar – Red and Rose Valleys — From Ortahisar, descend the Meskendir valley toward the colourful Red and Rose valleys with their volcanic tuffs, fairy chimneys and frescoed churches, to the village of Cavusin. Walk: approx. 5h30 / +/- 200 m. Overnigh…
- Taurus – Emli Valley — Drive to the Taurus range, visit the Derinkuyu underground city (8 levels, 55 m deep). Arrival at Cukurbag (1550 m), lunch with locals, then walk to the Emli valley. Walk: approx. 3h / +/- 250 m. Overnight in camp.
- Eznevit Plateau – Sokulupinar — Hike through a pine forest to the Eznevit plateau (2500 m), balcony trail along Mount Karasay, then descent to Sokulupinar camp. Walk: approx. 5h30 / +700 m / -500 m. Overnight in camp.
- Cukurbag – Cimbar Gorge – Night train — Climb to the Arpalik plateau then descend through the impressive Cimbar canyon with its vertical walls. Minibus to Kayseri, city visit and overnight sleeper train to Erzurum. Walk: approx. 3h30 / +300 m / -650 m.
- Erzurum – Yusufeli — Arrival around noon in Erzurum, visit of the city and its fine Seljuk architecture (Ulu Mosque, Cifte Minareli Medrese). Transfer to the town of Yusufeli.
- Yaylalar – Korahmet – Bulut Mountains — Transfer to the heights and the village of Yaylalar. Hike in the Korahmet valley across high pastures and glacial streams, meeting the summer shepherds. Walk: approx. 4h30 / +/- 450 m. Overnight in guesthouse.
- Yaylalar – Modut Plateau — One of the finest Kaçkar treks: a flowery trail at the bottom of a valley along the river, surrounded by high snowy peaks, with a view of the main summit of the Pontic range. Return to Yaylalar. Walk: approx. 6h / +1300…
- Yaylalar – Ayder — Crossing to Ayder via the Lanetleme pass (3450 m), descent to Lake Karadeniz then to the village of Caymakcur. Short transfer to the thermal village of Ayder to enjoy the hot springs. Walk: approx. 6h / +1300 m / -1400…
- Trabzon – Sumela Monastery — Transfer to Trabzon with an en-route visit of the Sumela monastery, built in the 14th century on a cliffside above a beautiful valley. Coastal road to Trabzon. Overnight at hotel.
- Departure — Transfer to the airport and return flight.