Kaçkar Mountains National Park, Protected mountain range in northeastern Black Sea region, Turkey
Kaçkar Mountains National Park covers a diverse landscape of glaciers, alpine meadows, evergreen forests, and flowing rivers that climb to heights around 3,937 meters. The terrain shifts between open mountain pastures, dense wooded slopes, and rocky peaks.
The range was formerly called Lazistan Mountains before becoming a national park in 1994 to protect its natural environment. This designation marked the start of formal efforts to safeguard the mountain's ecosystems.
The villages scattered through the park keep traditional mountain ways alive, where you can see herders and families going about daily tasks much as their ancestors did. Walking through these settlements gives you a glimpse of how people adapt to life at high altitude.
You can reach the park from the towns of Rize, Trabzon, or Artvin, with camping areas in Camlihemsin and lodges on Ayder Plateau available for visitors. Weather in the mountains changes quickly, so bring gear suited to variable conditions.
The park holds five major glaciers that create special microclimates where rare plants grow and wolves, bears, wild boars, and mountain goats make their homes. Many visitors are surprised to find glaciers this far south.
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