Turkey

Hiking in the mountains of Turkey offers a mix of breathtaking scenery, rich history, and diverse terrain. Here’s an overview of some of the top mountain hiking destinations in Turkey:

Top Mountain Ranges for Hiking in Turkey

1. Kaçkar Mountains (Kaçkar Dağları) – Eastern Black Sea Region

• Best for: Alpine hiking, glacier lakes, authentic villages
• Highlights: Kaçkar Peak (3,937 m), Yaylalar (highland villages), wildflowers
• Season: July to September
• Trail Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Popular Routes: Olgunlar → Dilberdüzü → Kaçkar Summit

2. Taurus Mountains (Toros Dağları) – Southern Turkey

• Best for: Rugged limestone landscapes, canyons, traditional nomadic culture
• Highlights: Aladağlar National Park, Kapuzbaşı Waterfalls
• Season: Late spring to early autumn
• Trail Difficulty: Easy to very difficult
• Popular Routes: Demirkazık area, Yedigöller Plateau trek

3. Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) – Eastern Turkey

• Best for: High-altitude trekking, mountaineering
• Highlights: Turkey’s highest peak (5,137 m), biblical history
• Permit required: Yes (government permit and guide mandatory)
• Season: July to early September
• Trail Difficulty: Difficult (glacier and snow climbing involved)

4. Uludağ Mountains – Near Bursa, Northwestern Turkey

• Best for: Forested hikes, snowshoeing, and skiing in winter
• Highlights: Uludağ National Park, ancient mythology (Mount Olympus of Mysia)
• Season: Year-round (ski in winter, hike in summer)
• Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate

5. Lycian Way (Likya Yolu) – Mediterranean Coast

• Best for: Coastal trekking with ancient ruins and sea views
• Highlights: Olympos, Butterfly Valley, Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı)
• Season: March–May & September–November
• Trail Difficulty: Moderate (800+ km long-distance trail)