Eastern Black Sea Tour: Highlands, Waterfalls and Route Plan

🚗 Critical Warning Before You Hit the Road

The "real" beauties of the Black Sea are away from the main road, in high-altitude highlands (Pokut, Gito, Huser, Macahel, etc.). These roads are usually unpaved (dirt/stone), narrow, and steep. They can become muddy when it rains. To ensure your tour is enjoyable and you don't get stuck, we strongly recommend renting a high-clearance vehicle (SUV/Crossover).

Sample Route: Black Sea Dream in 3 Days 🗺️

Trabzon and Maçka: A Journey Through History

• Morning: Pick up the car at Trabzon Airport and enjoy the famous Trabzon butter breakfast.
• Afternoon: Visit Sumela Monastery (Maçka). Be sure to see the frescoes opened after restoration.
• Evening: Rice pudding break in Hamsiköy and view of Zigana pass.
• Accommodation: Trabzon Center or Uzungöl.

Rize and Fırtına Valley: Adrenaline and Nature

• Morning: Breakfast with muhlama by the Fırtına River. You can also go rafting or ziplining.
• Afternoon: Visit the historical Zilkale and the roaring Palovit Waterfall (Çamlıhemşin).
• Late Afternoon: Photo break in tea gardens at Çeçeva Village (Haremtepe).
• Sunset: Challenging climb to Pokut or Ayder Highland and view of the sea of clouds. Accommodation: Bungalow in Çamlıhemşin.

Artvin and Borçka: Hidden Paradises

• Morning: Move to Borçka Karagöl. Walk around the lake and enjoy a boat ride. Nature is so pristine that you can see your reflection in the water.
• Afternoon: If you have time and a suitable vehicle (4x4 required), head to Maral Waterfall or Macahel Valley (Biosphere Reserve Area).
• Return: Follow the coastal road back to Trabzon via Hopa and return the car.

When to Go? A Month-by-Month Guide

The Black Sea is beautiful in every season, but the highlands are not open all year. High-altitude roads stay closed under snow for a significant part of the year. Matching your destinations to the calendar prevents disappointment.

• May - June: The greenest period. Waterfalls run strong with meltwater. Highland roads begin opening towards late May, and you may still find snow at higher elevations.
• July - August: Peak season for highland festivals and the sea of clouds. Also the busiest; book accommodation in Ayder and Uzungöl well in advance.
• September - October: The best choice for those who prefer quiet. Autumn colours fill the valleys and prices drop. After mid-October, high highlands cool down quickly.
• November - April: The coastline and Trabzon centre remain accessible, but roads to Pokut, Gito and Macahel are usually closed or risky.

In short, for a highland-focused tour, June to September is the safest window. If you plan to stick to Sumela, Uzungöl and the coastal route, the season is considerably longer.

Distances and Realistic Driving Times

In the Black Sea region, the kilometres on a map rarely match the time on the road. Winding roads, narrow highland tracks and constant photo stops change the maths. The times below exclude breaks, so add a margin when planning.

• Trabzon - Sumela Monastery (Maçka): About 45 km, 1 hour. Paved and comfortable.
• Trabzon - Uzungöl: About 100 km, 2 hours. The final stretch is winding but paved.
• Trabzon - Çamlıhemşin: About 150 km, 2.5 hours, along the coastal road.
• Çamlıhemşin - Ayder Highland: About 17 km, 30-40 minutes. Paved but steep.
• Çamlıhemşin - Zilkale: About 15 km, 40 minutes. Partly unpaved.
• Çamlıhemşin - Pokut Highland: About 25 km, 1-1.5 hours. Narrow, steep and largely unpaved.
• Borçka - Karagöl: About 28 km, 1 hour. Narrow forest road, unpaved in places.
• Hopa - Trabzon (coastal road): About 165 km, 2.5 hours. Dual carriageway, the easiest leg.

One thing becomes clear from these figures: fitting two high highlands into a single day is exhausting. Planning one highland and one valley stop per day gives a far more enjoyable pace.

Driving on Highland Roads: What to Know

Highland roads are nothing like city driving. The challenge is not speed but surface and width. A few basic rules keep your tour safe.

• Ground clearance: Unpaved roads are full of stones and potholes. A low-slung car carries a real risk of undercarriage damage.
• Passing etiquette: Most roads are single lane. By common practice, the vehicle driving uphill has right of way; the descending car pulls into a passing bay.
• Engine braking: Riding the brakes downhill overheats them. Descending in a low gear is both safer and kinder to the car.
• Fog: Fog rolls in quickly in the afternoon. Climbing to the highlands in the morning improves both the view and safety.
• Fuel: There are no petrol stations in the high highlands. Fill up in Çamlıhemşin, Ardeşen or Borçka before heading up.
• Signal: Mobile coverage is weak in many highlands. Saving your route offline makes life much easier.

Where to Stay: Options and Advice

Your choice of accommodation shapes the whole experience. There are three main options, each suited to a different style of travel.

• Highland houses and bungalows: Common around Pokut, Gito and Ayder. The only real option if you want to wake above the clouds. Comfort is simple, so ask about hot water and heating in advance.
• Valley hotels: Found along Çamlıhemşin and Fırtına Valley. Ideal if you want day trips to the highlands and a more comfortable base at night.
• City centre hotels: Standard hotel comfort in central Trabzon and Rize. Practical for a trip focused on Sumela, Uzungöl and the coast.

Highland stays fill up weeks ahead in July and August. If you are travelling then, booking early is the single most important step. For a closer look at the area, see our Trabzon travel guide.

Black Sea Cuisine: Flavors That Will Stay With You 🍴

What Should Be in Your Suitcase? 🎒

The Black Sea climate is no joke. The sun may shine suddenly and fog can set in 10 minutes later.

FAQ: Eastern Black Sea Tour

How many days are needed?
Three days is the minimum for the Trabzon, Rize and Artvin triangle. Four to five days gives a far more relaxed pace for exploring the highlands.

Can you reach the highlands in a sedan?
You can reach paved destinations such as Ayder and Uzungöl. But for unpaved routes like Pokut, Gito, above Zilkale and Macahel, a high-clearance vehicle is a genuine necessity.

Which city should the tour start from?
Trabzon Airport is the most practical starting point. The route can run eastward and loop back along the coastal road via Hopa.

Is a raincoat needed even in midsummer?
Yes. This is the wettest region in Turkey and highland weather can turn within hours. A hooded raincoat is far more useful than an umbrella.

Is night driving on highland roads advisable?
No. There is no lighting, roadsides may lack barriers, and fog can cut visibility completely. Plan both the climb and descent for daylight hours.

Distances From Trabzon to the Highlands 🗺️

The clear takeaway: well-known spots like Uzungöl and Ayder are comfortably reached in a sedan, while the more "hidden" plateaus like Pokut and Gito call for high clearance and preferably four-wheel drive. Making this distinction when planning your route removes the risk of having to swap vehicles or turn back midway.