van to yuksekova by bike. security question
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Mar 11, 2013 3:10 AM Last Post By: IveGotABike
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van to yuksekova by bike. security question
Hi all,I am travelling by bike in Turkey and I will soon cross into Iran. My initial idea was to cross close to Dogubayazit, but I am trying to see if it it doable to cross via yuksekova. I am now in Batman.
my main concerns are security and weather. I am cycling and camping and I am alone.
about security: do you think I might have problems (from PKK or turkish soldiers?) or are you aware of any fighting currently going on? (I tend to exclude this last opportunity, but better check it before)
weather: as said, İ am by bike, cold ıs not a big issue, snow it might be. I have seen there is a pass at 2700 m of altitude and two others at 2200 m of altitude. do you know the state of the road on these days. is it usually cleaned from snow? has any of you been there in te last weeks. I should be there on the first 10 days of March.
Finally: would you advise me to take this souther route to cross into Iran, or it may be better to stick to the more classic Dogubayazit border crossing?
I will post it also on the bike forum.
Thanks,
Francesco
1
Roads connecting border crossing points are well travelled and so kept as free of snow as possible but yes it will be very cold and snowy right along that eastern border where ever you try to cross.Hakkari is probably the one truly hotspot in the country where one needs to be very careful,skirmishes can break out around there at any time.PKK have seldom been known to deliberately target foreigner tourists but you could find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.You may also find that the security forces won't allow you along certain roads which could force you to detours etc.So it would be better to cross over either at Kapıköy Gate east of Van or Gurbulak Gate just east of Doğubeyazıt.
2
Thanks for the answer.I know about Hakkari 'bad' reputation, but I wanted to know about the current situation. I sort of supposed that since there is a peace negotation going on, there shouldn't be any big problems, but I wanted to ask first.
Also I would not pass Hakkari, ıs maybe the area around Yuksekova any better?
Also, do you know ıf it is possible to cross at Kapıköy Gate by bike and if it is open nowdays. İ heard mixed opinions about that
F.
3
Yüksekova is in Hakkari Province and basically this whole mountainous province has security issues.It is has been quieter there recently but this is due to winter weather conditions rather than the supposed peace process.Raids are generally lesser during winter. but I would still recommend you take one of the other gates.Kapıköy Gate reopened in early 2011 BTW.4
Even if you need to leave Turkey from Yuksekova, better to follow Batman-Tatvan-Van-Yuksekova route . Winter is hard at eastern parts this year.
