Anzer Plateau

Anzer is an alpine plateau (yayla) in Rize Province in northeastern Turkey, known regionally for its distinctive local honey and mountain pastures. The place is a named pastoral area used seasonally in the Kaçkar Mountains.

The landscape is composed of high-altitude meadows and seasonal grazing areas; small-scale beekeeping on the plateau yields the product sold as Anzer honey. The area is valued for its floral diversity and traditional pastoral use.

Local communities have used the plateau for transhumance and summer grazing for generations, maintaining traditional pastoral practices.

Anzer sits inland from the Black Sea coast in the Kaçkar mountain range of Rize Province in northeastern Turkey.

• Anzer honey: Produced by local beekeepers from alpine flora and regarded as a regional specialty in Turkey.

Anzer lies in Rize Province in Turkey’s eastern Black Sea mountains. The nearest regional center is Rize; from there, local roads and mountain tracks lead to the highland villages. Travel requires a car or local minibus services and, in many cases, a final stretch on foot or by four-wheel vehicle.

• Weather on high Black Sea ridges changes quickly-bring windproof layers and sturdy footwear.
• Local tea houses in Rize Province are the best places to ask about safe footpaths; shepherd paths are often the only routes.
• Respect private pastures; much of the area is used seasonally for grazing.