5-Day Eastern Black Sea Route

This five-day road route follows the Eastern Black Sea from Trabzon toward the mountains and forests of Artvin. It combines historic towns, tea landscapes, river valleys, lakes and highland settlements.

Day 1: Trabzon

Begin in central Trabzon, exploring the historic streets and major landmarks of the city.

Visit Trabzon Ayasofya, followed by the city centre and Atatürk Alanı. Later, head toward Boztepe for views across Trabzon and the Black Sea.

Regional foods include kuymak/muhlama, corn bread and several dishes connected with Black Sea anchovies.

Day 2: Çaykara and Uzungöl

Travel east and inland toward Çaykara and Uzungöl.

The lake lies in a steep valley surrounded by forested mountain slopes. Walk along the lakeside and explore the surrounding settlement before continuing toward higher viewpoints above the valley.

The surrounding highlands contain meadows, streams and traditional mountain settlements that show a different side of the Black Sea landscape.

Day 3: Rize, Fırtına Valley and Ayder

Continue east through Rize Province.

Tea gardens cover many of the slopes around Rize and form one of the defining landscapes of the province.

Continue toward Çamlıhemşin and follow Fırtına Vadisi, where stone bridges, fast-flowing water and densely forested mountains shape the valley.

From Çamlıhemşin, continue toward Ayder Yaylası. The highland settlement sits among forested slopes and mountain scenery and provides a useful base for experiencing the higher elevations of the region.

Day 4: Borçka and Karagöl

Continue east into Artvin Province and travel toward Borçka Karagöl.

The lake is surrounded by dense forest and steep mountain terrain. Its calm surface reflects the surrounding vegetation, particularly during autumn when the colours of the forest become more varied.

Spend time around the lakeside before continuing through the mountainous landscape of Artvin.

Day 5: Şavşat and Karagöl-Sahara

Finish the route around Şavşat, where villages, forests, mountain roads and highland landscapes dominate the scenery.

Visit Karagöl-Sahara Milli Parkı, including the Karagöl section surrounded by forest.

The wider Şavşat landscape includes traditional wooden houses, green valleys, mountain villages and highland areas.

The route ends in Şavşat, completing a gradual journey from the Black Sea coastline into the mountainous interior of northeastern Turkey.