Mount Kaçkar

Mountain Highest peak of Turkey's Kaçkar Range, rugged alpine

A high summit in Turkey’s Kaçkar range with glaciated ridges, alpine meadows and summer shepherd routes; trekkers use multi-day approaches for remote climbs and mountain scenery.

Main image

Mount Kaçkar is the highest summit of the Kaçkar range in northeastern Turkey, a prominent peak in the Pontic Mountains known for steep, glaciated terrain and high alpine meadows.

Trekking and mountaineering are the main activities, with multi-day routes that cross glacial cirques and alpine pastures; the upper slopes retain perennial snow and ice in sheltered areas. Visitors use nearby mountain villages as bases for guided or independent climbs into the high country.

The Kaçkar massif has long been part of local pastoral and mountain-use traditions; in the modern era it has become better known to hikers and climbers as trail networks developed and mountain tourism increased in the region.

The mountain sits in northeastern Turkey within the Pontic (Black Sea) mountain system, in the administrative area of Artvin Province close to the border with Rize and the coastal Black Sea districts.

  • Approximate elevation range: The principal peak in the Kaçkar Mountains rises to roughly 3,900 to 3,940 metres, making it one of Turkey's highest non-summit ranges in the northeast.
  • Trekking and access: The area is known for sustained alpine trekking and mountaineering seasons, with access from local Black Sea highland villages used as trailheads.

What to See #

  • Main summit (Kaçkar peak): The main summit of the Kaçkar range is a steep, glaciated peak that forms the highest point of the Kaçkar massif and is the focus of extended alpine routes.
  • Glacial cirques and alpine meadows: High mountain meadows, glacial cirques and remaining icefields occupy the upper valleys and are common features on multi-day trekking routes into the massif.
Mount Kaçkar
40.8355, 41.1613

How to Get to Mount Kaçkar #

The Kaçkar range is accessed from the town of Çamlıhemşin and the city of Rize on Turkey’s Black Sea coast. Roads can be winding and narrow; most climbers use hired transport from Rize or Hopa and proceed via established trailheads.

Tips for Visiting Mount Kaçkar #

  • Hire a local guide for route-finding and up-to-date beta on conditions - the Kaçkar massif is remote and highly weather-dependent.
  • Plan for unpredictable weather and pack for high-altitude alpine conditions even in summer.
  • Allow extra days for summit attempts; glacier and snow conditions can delay climbs.

Best Time to Visit Mount Kaçkar #

Best climbed in summer (June-September) when weather and access are most favorable.

Summer
June-September · 5-15°C (41-59°F) on higher slopes
The main climbing season with more stable weather and snowmelt on routes.
Late spring/early autumn
May, October · -5-10°C (23-50°F)
Variable conditions; approaches may be snowbound or muddy.

Weather & Climate near Mount Kaçkar #

Climate

Mount Kaçkar's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 14°C. Moderate rainfall (975 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -9°C and lows of -17°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-17° -9°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -17°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-17° -9°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

29 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-15° -7°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -1°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (122 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-4°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
14.3h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.8h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).

66 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
14.6h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

66 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).

66 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1° 10°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-5°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-10° -3°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -15°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-15° -8°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

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