Ayder–Kavrun hiking itinerary: 2 days from Ayder to the Kavrun highlands

The itinerary starts at Rize-Artvin Airport on the coast. The road from the airport to Rize city centre, then via Çamlıhemşin up to Ayder, climbs from the shoreline into the mountains. Along the way tea gardens give way to dense forest; after Çamlıhemşin the valley narrows and you reach the Ayder entrance gate of Kaçkar Mountains National Park. This first day is not a walking day: the aim is to reach Ayder before noon, settle in and start the next day’s long walk rested.

Location: 41.17933, 40.85024

Ayder is a plateau in the Çamlıhemşin district, set among slopes covered with spruce and beech forest and facing the Kaçkar Mountains. According to the municipality, activities such as trekking, camping and photography take place here; it is the base of this itinerary and both nights are spent here. Spend the afternoon walking among the plateau’s wooden buildings, seeing where the next day starts and where the Kavrun road leaves the village. In the evening, an early dinner and an early night are the wisest preparation for day two’s long walk.

The last stop of the day is Gelintülü Waterfall, just around Ayder. Named after its resemblance to a bridal veil, the waterfall, at more than 100 metres high, is one of the best-known natural sights of the plateau. Where the water meets the stream, the mountain view and the sound of the water are enough to end the day calmly after a long journey. A short outing to the waterfall also gives a gentle first taste of the next day’s altitude.

Location: 40.94859, 41.11096

The longest part of the day is the walk to Lower Kavrun, starting early in the morning from Ayder. The way climbs through the forested slopes above Ayder and comes out onto open highland meadows where the trees thin out. Kavrun is one of the highland settlements inside Kaçkar Mountains National Park and has two parts; the first you reach is Lower Kavrun. In this section the walk follows a vehicle road; local vehicles may use it too, so keep to the side. Lower Kavrun is the natural turning point on a day when the weather breaks.

Location: 40.90816, 41.13791

After Lower Kavrun the way climbs to the upper part of the highland, Upper Kavrun. Kavrun lies between 1,980 and 2,350 metres; considering that you left Ayder at 1,350 metres in the morning, by this point the day’s climb of about a thousand metres is behind you. Take a long break here, eat, drink and rest for the way back. Upper Kavrun is the highest and final point of this itinerary; the paths further up to the lakes and the summit count as high mountain hiking and are not part of it.

Location: 40.88258, 41.13114

The way back reverses the morning route: from Upper Kavrun to Lower Kavrun, then down through the forested slopes to Ayder. Although the descent looks easier than the climb, tiredness at the end of a long day calls for care; shorten your steps and do not hesitate to take breaks. The Kaçkar Mountains also have marked trails suitable for summer walking; if you enjoyed this walk, the Kaçkar hiking itinerary on the Artvin side is a longer and higher option. Rest in Ayder in the evening; booking the return flight for the next morning keeps the day relaxed.