Turkish Black Sea Highlands
Türkiye
In short: Turkish Black Sea Highlands is a about 1,250 km mountain road trip in Türkiye, typically driven over 7 days, best in May-Oct. Highlights: Ladik and Akdağ, Perşembe Yaylası, Bektaş Yaylası.
A genuine Black Sea highlands route from Samsun through Akdağ, Perşembe and Bektaş yaylası, then Sümela, Uzungöl, Fırtına/Ayder and Şavşat.
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Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Samsun to Ladik and Akdağ
Ladik Lake and Akdağ highland · Niyazi Kesim Restoran
Day 2Ladik to Perşembe Yaylası and Giresun
Perşembe Yaylası · Vonalı Celal
Day 3Bektaş Yaylası to Trabzon
Bektaş Yaylası · Trabzon bazaar · Cemilusta Akçaabat Köftecisi
Day 4Sümela and Maçka
Sümela Monastery · Hamsiköy Niyazi Usta
Day 5Trabzon to Uzungöl and Rize
Uzungöl lakeside and signed upper viewpoint · Rize tea stop · İnan Kardeşler Restaurant
Day 6Fırtına Valley, Zilkale and Ayder
Fırtına Valley and Zilkale · Ayder Yaylası · Yeşil Vadi Restaurant
Day 7Ayder to Şavşat and Sahara
Şavşat Karagöl and Sahara National Park · Veliköy Hanedan Tesisleri
Stops along the route
Things to Do
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Where to Eat
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Nearby and similar drives
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Turkish Black Sea Highlands drive?
The Turkish Black Sea Highlands covers about 1,250 km from start to finish.
How long does the Turkish Black Sea Highlands take to drive?
Most travellers spend 7 days on the Turkish Black Sea Highlands, depending on stops and pace.
When is the best time to drive the Turkish Black Sea Highlands?
The recommended season for the Turkish Black Sea Highlands is May-Oct.
Where does the Turkish Black Sea Highlands start and end?
The Turkish Black Sea Highlands runs from Ladik and Akdağ to Şavşat and Sahara.
What are the main stops on the Turkish Black Sea Highlands?
The Turkish Black Sea Highlands passes through Ladik and Akdağ, Perşembe Yaylası, Bektaş Yaylası.
How difficult is the Turkish Black Sea Highlands to drive?
The Turkish Black Sea Highlands is rated moderate and is best handled with suv only.
Do I need a 4WD for the Turkish Black Sea Highlands?
Yes — the Turkish Black Sea Highlands includes off-road or rough sections that require suv only.
How many fuel stops are needed on the Turkish Black Sea Highlands?
Plan around 2 refuels (or about 4 EV charges) along the Turkish Black Sea Highlands, based on its about 1,250 km length.
Is the Turkish Black Sea Highlands safe to drive?
Follow the official highland sequence rather than treating this as a coastal-city tour. Coastal D010 can remain open while individual yayla branches are fogged, snowbound, damaged or closed; check local road and weather status every morning, avoid night driving and use a vehicle suitable for each exact branch. Do not infer mountain access from coast-highway conditions. Check Sümela’s official last admission before leaving Maçka. HGS, licence, insurance and national security advice from the Türkiye route also apply.
What scenic tier is the Turkish Black Sea Highlands?
The Turkish Black Sea Highlands is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.