The Kaçkar Mountains (; , ''Kajkar''), formerly known as the

Lazistan Lazistan or Lazeti (; ka, ლაზეთი, Lazeti, or ჭანეთი ''Ç'aneti''; ) is a historical and cultural region of the Caucasus and Anatolia; the term was primarily used during Ottoman rule in the region. Traditionally inhabited b ...

Mountains or the Mountains of Khaghtik(), are a

mountain range A mountain range or hill range is a series of mountains or hills arranged in a line and connected by high ground. A mountain system or mountain belt is a group of mountain ranges with similarity in form, structure, and alignment that have aris ...

that rises above the

Black Sea The Black Sea is a marginal sea, marginal Mediterranean sea (oceanography), mediterranean sea lying between Europe and Asia, east of the Balkans, south of the East European Plain, west of the Caucasus, and north of Anatolia. It is bound ...

coast in northeastern Turkey. With the highest peak, Kaçkar Dağı, at an elevation of , and mountain plateaus at about in elevation, the range is the highest part of the

Pontic Mountains The Pontic Mountains or Pontic Alps (, meaning 'North Anatolian Mountains'), form a mountain range in northern Anatolia, Turkey. They are also known as the "Parhar Mountains" in the local Turkish and Pontic Greek languages. The term ''Parhar'' ...

. The Kaçkars are

glaciated A glacier (; or ) is a persistent body of dense ice, a form of rock, that is constantly moving downhill under its own weight. A glacier forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. It acquires d ...

mountains that are

alpine Alpine may refer to any mountainous region. It may also refer to: Places Europe * Alps, a European mountain range ** Alpine states, which overlap with the European range Australia * Alpine, New South Wales, a Northern Village * Alpine National P ...

in character, with steep rocky peaks and numerous mountain lakes. The area was declared a

national park A national park is a nature park designated for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes because of unparalleled national natural, historic, or cultural significance. It is an area of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that is protecte ...

in 1994. Recreational activities in the park include

hiking A hike is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time. "Hi ...

camping Camping is a form of outdoor recreation or outdoor education involving overnight stays with a basic temporary shelter such as a tent. Camping can also include a recreational vehicle, sheltered cabins, a permanent tent, a shelter such as a Bivy bag ...

mountaineering Mountaineering, mountain climbing, or alpinism is a set of outdoor activities that involves ascending mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas that have become mounta ...

, and, increasingly,

heliskiing Heli-skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing or snowboarding where the skier reaches the top of the mountain by helicopter, instead of a ski lift. History In the late 1950s, helicopters were used in Alaska and Europe to access remote terrain. The ...

. The Kackar range boasts a wide variety of plants and wildlife such as wolves, bears, boars, feral goats, deer, jackals and wild chickens.

Etymology

The name ''Kaçkar'' derives from the

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...

term ''

khachkar A ''khachkar'' (also spelled as ''khatchkar'') or Armenian cross-stone (, , խաչ ''xačʿ'' "cross" + քար ''kʿar'' "stone") is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosette (design), rosettes ...

'' (), which literally means "cross stone". The name may be used in various senses. It may describe the whole mountain range, including the many mountain groups, or it may just describe the Kaçkar-Kavron group with its highest peak, or just the highest peak itself. The local name of the highest peak or its mountain group ''Kaçkar Dağı'' translates to ''Kaçkar Mountain'', and the name of the range ''Kaçkar Dağları'' translates to ''Kaçkar Mountains''.

Geography

On the south and east, the Kaçkar Mountains are bordered by the

Çoruh The Chorokh ( ka, ჭოროხი ''Ch'orokhi'' , , ''Chorokh'', , , ''Akampsis'') is a river that rises in the Mescit Mountains in north-eastern Turkey, flows through the cities of Bayburt, İspir, Yusufeli, and Artvin, along the Kelkit-� ...

river valley; on the north, by the

coast.

Major mountain groups

*Altıparmak group *Kavron (or Kaçkar-Kavron) *Verçenik group

Trekking

Kaçkar Mountains are one of the best trekking sites in Turkey. Kaçkars have two ideal trekking routes. The first is from the Black Sea side; the path is clear and it is easy to trek, while the Çoruh side is more difficult and hazardous. Kaçkar Mountains are cold and have glaciers, hence ice axes and crampons are required. The best time for trekking is between June and September.Kackar Mountains Turkey
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Gallery

References

External links

Hiking and Climbing Routes, GPS sources
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kackar Mountains Mountain ranges of Turkey National parks of Turkey Black Sea region Landforms of Rize Province Tourist attractions in Rize Province