The Kaçkar Mountains ( Turkish : Kaçkar Dağları ; Armenian : Քաջքար , Kajkar ), formerly known as the Lazistan Mountains or the Mountains of Khaghtik ( Armenian : Խաղտեաց լեռներ ), are a mountain range that rises above the Black Sea coast in northeastern Turkey.
6-483: With the highest peak, Kaçkar Dağı , at an elevation of 3,937 metres (12,917 ft), and mountain plateaus at about 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in elevation, the range is the highest part of the Pontic Mountains . The Kaçkars are glaciated mountains that are alpine in character, with steep rocky peaks and numerous mountain lakes. The area was declared a national park in 1994. Recreational activities in
12-558: Is the highest peak in the Kaçkar Mountains . The mountain may be climbed by the northeast ridge route beginning from the village Yukarı Kavrun. The name Kaçkar (from Armenian khachkar (Խաչքար) literally meaning "cross stone" ) may be used in various senses. It may describe the whole mountain range , including the many mountain groups, or it may just describe the Kaçkar-Kavron group with its highest peak, or just
18-498: The highest peak itself. Mount Kaçkar is about 40 km from the Black Sea Coast and 70 km from the eastern border with Georgia and the port city Batumi there. The Turkish coastal cities Rize and Trabzon are about 70 and 120 km west of the mountain. The surrounding mountain ranges are about 400 km long and represent the eastern third of the Pontic Mountains . This extends about 1000 km along
24-468: The many mountain groups, or it may just describe the Kaçkar-Kavron group with its highest peak, or just the highest peak itself. The local name of the highest peak or its mountain group Kaçkar Dağı translates to Kaçkar Mountain , and the name of the range Kaçkar Dağları translates to Kaçkar Mountains . On the south and east, the Kaçkar Mountains are bordered by the Çoruh river valley; on
30-677: The north, by the Black Sea coast. Kaçkar Mountains are one of the best trekking sites in Turkey. Kaçkars have two ideal trekking routes. The first is from the Black Sea side; the path is clear and it is easy to trek, while the Çoruh side is more difficult and hazardous. Kaçkar Mountains are cold and have glaciers, hence ice axes and crampons are required. The best time for trekking is between June and September. Ka%C3%A7kar Da%C4%9F%C4%B1 Mount Kaçkar , with an elevation of 3,937 meters,
36-489: The park include hiking , camping , mountaineering , and, increasingly, heliskiing . The Kackar range boasts a wide variety of plants and wildlife such as wolves, bears, boars, feral goats, deer, jackals and wild chickens. The name Kaçkar derives from the Armenian term khachkar ( Խաչքար ), which literally means "cross stone". The name may be used in various senses. It may describe the whole mountain range, including
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