Summer Vacation in the Black Sea Highlands: Rize, Artvin, and Trabzon Route

When Rize, Artvin, and Trabzon are considered together, three complementary provinces emerge, spread across approximately 600 km of coastline and mountain range. Moving inland from the coast, the elevation rises by 300–400 meters every 10 km; therefore, while the temperature may be 30 degrees on the coast at the same time, a highland at 1,800 meters can cool down to 10–12 degrees at night. This climatic difference is the main factor that makes the region attractive to those looking to escape the summer heat.

The Character of the Three Provinces and Their Differences

Trabzon is the province with the most concentrated historical texture. In addition to well-known sites such as Sumela Monastery, Ortahisar Castle and the historic Hagia Sophia in the city center are strong attractions for any visitor prepared to tolerate the crowds. As a coastal city, it is the easiest to reach; the airport is close to the city center and there are regular flights.

Rize is home to tea gardens and some of the most frequently mentioned highlands of the Eastern Black Sea region. Ayder Plateau lies within this province; it is relatively easy to reach and has the most developed facilities among the highlands. On the other hand, Ayder can be crowded, especially on weekends in July and August. If you are looking for a quieter highland experience, places such as Pokut, Sal, or Huser within the same province offer a different picture.

Artvin, meanwhile, is both the least touristically developed and the most rugged of the three. The Yusufeli dam construction permanently changed part of the region; the old Yusufeli district center is now underwater. Despite this, Borçka-Karagöl Nature Park and the Şavşat highlands still offer strong alternatives for those prioritizing nature walks. Very few people coming through the Çoruh Valley actually see this region in any meaningful way.

When to Go

For the coastal area, the period from late May to early June offers a balanced window in terms of both rainfall and temperature. During this period, some highland roads may still be snowy or muddy; since passability can change throughout the day, if you are driving up, it is practical to set out early in the morning and ask local villagers or gendarmerie checkpoints about road conditions.

July and August correspond to both the busiest period and the most stable weather in the highlands. Evenings are cool and days are clear. During this period, accommodation occupancy is high in well-known places such as Ayder and Uzungöl; planning in advance is necessary. The highlands remain accessible until mid-September, but the event and festival calendar is concentrated mainly in July and August.

After October, reaching most of the highlands by car becomes difficult. In winter, visitors to the region generally prefer the coastal cities and the Trabzon-Rize gastronomy tour.

How to Get There

Trabzon Airport is the gateway with the most frequent flights among the three provinces. The airport closest to Artvin is Artvin Airport, near Hopa; flights and capacity are limited compared with Trabzon. Rize-Artvin Airport opened on the coast of Pazar district and has significantly facilitated access to both provinces; flights operate to this airport from many major cities in Turkey.

On the land route, the D010 coastal road connects the three provinces. Trabzon-Rize is approximately 75 km, while Rize-Hopa is around 80 km. However, the vast majority of the roads leading to the highlands are narrow and winding; some places can be reached with a standard passenger car, but local guides recommend a vehicle with high ground clearance for certain high-altitude roads. If you are traveling with a rental car, you need to clarify the conditions regarding drop-off points in advance.

How to Plan the Route: Order Matters

Starting from Trabzon and proceeding toward Artvin via Rize makes it easier to benefit from the transportation infrastructure. Flying into Trabzon, staying one night in the city, completing the Sumela route via Maçka, then continuing to Rize along the coastal road and spending a day in the highlands creates a sensible framework.

For those who want to see Ayder in Rize, the road via Çamlıhemşin takes less than two hours. Staying overnight in Ayder provides an advantage for seeing the area around the thermal springs and the Fırtına Valley in the early morning light; the traffic of day-trippers who go and return during the day becomes especially busy in the afternoon on weekends.

The Borçka-Karagöl section adds approximately half a day of detour to a standard journey through Artvin. The walking trail around the lake is flat and short, and walking shoes are sufficient. For those going deep into Artvin province via Şavşat, an overnight stay is almost essential; the guesthouses along the route are limited but available.

Local Cuisine: What to Look for and Where

Mıhlama, kuymak, and anchovy pilaf are staples of Trabzon and Rize cuisine. The old bazaar restaurants in central Trabzon serve these dishes fresh from breakfast through lunch. In Artvin, lamb and honey take center stage; a lunch eaten at small family-run establishments in the Ardanuç or Yusufeli area is often more memorable than one at a city restaurant.

When it comes to tea, Rize is the land where tea is produced. Entering the tea gardens along the coast and having a cup of tea during the fresh-leaf season is free and leaves an impression far beyond that of an ordinary vacation photo.

Who It Is Suitable For and Who It Is Not

• The highland areas are ideal for those looking to escape the summer heat; however, you need to be prepared for cool nights, and a light rain jacket and several long-sleeved items should definitely be packed.
• For those interested in hiking and nature photography, the directions of Pokut, Sal, and Karagöl offer peaceful and rewarding areas.
• For those traveling with children, highlands with facilities such as Ayder are more practical; forest walks and the area around the thermal springs are suitable for younger children.
• For those primarily interested in historical and cultural heritage, central Trabzon and the Sumela area should form the core of the route.
• For those who do not want to undertake long drives, a shorter itinerary covering only the Trabzon area can also offer a meaningful trip in its own right.
• A note of caution for those with high expectations of luxury accommodation: facilities in the highland areas do not meet big-city standards, so expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.

Practical Planning Information

Duration: 5–7 days is a realistic range for seeing all three of Trabzon, Rize, and Artvin. For those who only want to see the Trabzon and Rize highlands, 3–4 days provides a sufficient framework. It is possible to visit a highland from a coastal city as a day trip, but in that case you can only see one place superficially.

Transportation: Flying from Trabzon or Rize-Artvin airports is the fastest option. Renting a car or using a tour transfer provides flexibility between the highlands; traveling between coastal cities by bus is easy, but a private vehicle is necessary for the highland roads.

Seasonal advice: The most balanced window is from late June to early September. Accommodation should be arranged in advance at places that are crowded on weekends in July and August.

Things to keep in mind: Sudden fog and rain are common on highland roads; when driving, an early start and a flexible schedule are recommended. Mobile internet connections are weak in some highlands; downloading offline maps is practical for navigation. When traveling toward Artvin from near Pazar district, the distance between fuel stations can become long, so it is wise to keep the tank full.

Those who want to look at ready-made route options can compare the domestic tour options covering the Black Sea route and choose the one that suits their itinerary.

What to Consider When Deciding

What makes this route meaningful is that each province offers a picture different from the previous one. Trabzon represents historical depth, Rize an abundance of nature, and Artvin the least untouched areas. Clarifying your priorities while planning determines the course of the trip: cultural heritage, highland hiking, or simply relaxing somewhere cool? Depending on the answer, it may not be necessary to visit all three provinces; spending two days around Ayder can leave a much more satisfying experience than hurriedly touring three provinces.