I have traveled Turkey a few times, and am thinking to go back for two weeks from the first week of November. I am thinking to do a hike in the Kackars, see Ani, and then I am not sure what. The hanging monetary seems close and interesting - although doesn't seem more than a day trip at most - and potentially Safranbolu. But what can you all suggest? I've done the coast plenty (although not the Black Sea), I've visited the most regularly touristed areas (Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia). Thoughts?
Also, how much time do I need in Ani? It is so beautiful I was thinking two days - it looks sprawling on many websites - but everywhere I look it suggests only half a day?
-TBri
travelinbri
1
danfromcan
Lycian way foot path as they call it is nice . It is a fantastic hike its a 550 km walk along the southern coast .Look it up online . I only did about 75 km in 2008 and it was very nice. Its rated to be one of the top hikes in the world check it out happy trails.
2
sarikanarya
Oooh Travelinbri,hello,I remember you from past trips.How lovely to read you are returning :)
November in the Kaçkars.......hmmm,not the best time to go there to be honest.The weather is already starting to get a bit...iffy so you could end up getting rained off every day of your stay,or even snow .Any dry sunny days would be a bonus basically(this is very high ground and so can't be equated with lower lying area's in that region).But if you are planning to be in that area anyway then you could risk some day hikes deciding each morning what to do according to the weather.Places like Ayder Yaylası,and villages such as Çamlıhemşin and Yusufeli will still be okay to get to.Also İkizdere close by where Üzüngol is located.
Kars and Ani will still be easily doable(if cold) and yes,5-6 hours around Ani really is adequate despite being quite spread out.So if you allocated a full day that would be fine.
Hanging monetary?A dangling dollar maybe? :) The hanging Sumela Monastery near to Trabzon is currently closed for renovation and there is no chance of it opening before next spring at the earliest,so that you can defo scratch of the list.
Other spots you could consider for a Black Sea trip could be Ordu, Amasya,so beautiful,similar to Safranbolu but less touristy,maybe Sinop,the northern most point in Turkey(Boyabat Castle in Sinop Province is worth a visit),and of course Safranbolu itself.But whilst there also look around the area as this is on the edge of Yenice Forest which is lovely.Maybe you can buy a famous Devrek carved Cherrywood walking stick there too!Depending on time a stop off at Bolu's Abant Lake would be nice ,this is a mountain top crater lake and beautiful in every season.
For all things Karadeniz this is the best web site of it's type and I'm sure it will be a help to you-
http://www.karalahana.com/
As you'll read the Karadeniz region has far more history than many people realise but....we just like to keep it a bit secret :)
This web site if you haven't seen it will give you plenty of info on the Kaçkars-
http://cultureroutesinturkey.com/the-kackar/
You'll also find info about Yenice Forest too if you click on Nature Routes on the drop down menu.
4
Thorn Tree
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