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Rafting Çoruh
The rafting event to be arranged for the first time on
the River Coruh, one of Turkey's natural beauties, is going
to draw attention to the touristic potential of the Black
Sea Region, to the Coruh Valley as well as the natural and
historical sites in the vicinity.
Originating at the Mescit Mountains (3,225 m) and flowing
466 km before reaching the Black Sea in Georgia, Coruh River
is one of the fastest flowing rivers in the world.
The small towns and villages located along the river are
impressively authentic and interesting historically. The
area as a whole represents the synthesis of the cultures
of Eastern Anatolia and the Black Sea.
Coruh River is frequented by local and foreign sportsmen,
who travel each year to this area for canoeing, rafting
and trekking in the Kackar Mountains.
The best way to reach the summit at Kackar Mountains is
via the villages of Yaylalar and Olgunlar. Dilberdüzü
makes an excellent campsite. From there proceed to Deniz
Lake and the summit at 3,9377 m. Local guides and mules
to carry personal belongings may be hired. An alternative
route is to the summit is to pass horizontally by Trans-Kackar
on one of several trails.
The natural habitat of Coruh River remains undisturbed.
Colonies of red vultures, which are threatened with extinction,
live among the rocks by the riverside. The area surrounding
the river is rich in wildlife, including gray bear, mountain
goat with hooked horns, wild boar, wolf, jackal, fox, badger,
marten, water sable, rabbit, partridge, wild rooster, woodcock,
wild duck, stock dove, golden oriole, siskin, fieldfare,
pigeon and wood pigeon.
As the Coruh passes 150 kms through the province of Artvin,
the river cuts through steep and impregnable mountains on
its way towards the Black Sea.
COURSE
A trip down the Coruh starts at Bayburt, passing through
Ispir and Yusufeli and on to Artvin, a distance of approximately
260 kms.
Bayburt - Ispir 0-106 km
An ideal starting point for the expedition is the Dikmetas
Bridge near Bayburt, which has good areas for camping on
either side of the river. Aslandede and Laleli also make
pleasant campsites.
With a class 2-3 water, the trip from Bayburt to Ispir
can be completed within three days on average. Approximately
3 kms before arriving at Ispir, the left bank affords a
convenient campground. The nearby gas station and the shops
in Ispir are useful for reprovisioning.
Ispir - Camlikaya 106-134 km
Following departure from Ispir ( stabilized road entry:
0 km), one should watch the rapids at 3km, 6.6 km, 7.4 km,
and 8 km. The small hut on the left side of the road before
arriving at the road junction for Camlikaya at 28 kms makes
a good rest stop. Drinking water can be obtained either
from the brook flowing from the mountains, located 200 meters
ahead on the left side of the road, or from the spring to
the right of the transformer station past the concrete bridge
at the Camlikaya road junction. Food can be purchased from
Camlikaya (4 kms from the road junction). The Ispir-Camlikaya
route is class 3-4-5 water.
Camlikaya - Tekkale 134-178 km
After Camlikaya, rice plantations, vegetable gardens and
fruit orchards prevail on the river banks. The river passes
by Köprügören at 48 km, coming to the hamlet
of Alanbasi at 54 km. It is possible to camp there next
to the brook that joins the Coruh on the left bank immediately
before the village.
Past the concrete bridge, the river becomes rockier, class
3-4-5 water. An old watch tower is visible before arriving
at Cevreli. The garden in front of the village primary school,
to the right immediately after the concrete bridge, makes
a good campsite. There are also places to overnight in Tekkale,
7 km ahead. From Tekkale, guides can take you up the mountains
to see the historic Dörtkilise, a medieval Georgian
church. Fishermen will enjoy angling for speckled trout
(alabalik) in the brook flowing nearby the church.
Tekkale - Artvin 178-261 km
From Tekkale, the expedition proceeds to Yusufeli, 6 kms
away, where accommodations and simple cafes can be found.
The Altiparmak, one of the major branches of the Coruh,
joins the river close to Yusufeli.
As the flow-rate of the river picks up speed, the route
becomes increasingly challenging, class 3-4-5 water. Oltu
Cayì joins the river 9 km after Yusufeli, near the
Artvin-Erzurum highway junction, behind a concrete bridge.
The rapids begin 22 km from Yusufeli. This 100 meter stretch
of white water, nicknamed "King-Kong", cascades
around sharp boulders with breathtaking velocity, making
it the high point of the expedition. The water is dangerous
here, class 5+ water, so less experienced expeditions should
not plan to cross this section when the river is high. A
large concrete sign inscribed with the letters EIE to the
left of the highway identifies this section of the Coruh.
Expeditions can make camp 33 km before Zeytincik, stopping
to pick up any necessary provisions in the village. At 43
km, the river enters a narrow 3 km long canyon class 3-4.
The gas station and inn at Oruclu, at 57 km, provides a
convenient finish for the trip. Boats can be pulled on shore
here and there are a few rustic rooms and a cafe. Artvin
is 20 km further on from Oruclu, with mostly class 1-2 water.
Some groups prefer to extend the route right through to
Artvin.
WHAT TO SEE
As one of the first places in Anatolia to be settled by
the Turks, Bayburt is renowned for its music, folklore and
historic buildings. The town's location on the Silk Road
made it a stopping place for travellers from the east and
west. It has retained its importance militarily and culturally
throughout the centuries.
Today, the imposing Bayburt Fortress, Clock Tower, old
Turkish baths (hamam), mosques and churches are worth seeing.
Also of interest are javelin contests, a traditional type
of polo, water buffalo wrestling and local folk dances.
Ruins of several citadels can be seen in Ispir. The medieval
fortress of Ispir citadel was repaired and used in turn
by the Saltuks, Seljuks and Ottomans. The castle contains
a small mescid or chapel.
Yusufeli is particularly interesting for amateur historians
and archaeologists. The Barhal church, Ishan fortress and
church, Demirkent fortress and church, Cevreli-Meydan citadel,
Kilickaya fortress and hundreds of underground storerooms
tell the fascinating history of the area.
In the province of Artvin, the most important things to
see are the fortresses of Artvin, Okumuslar, Bakìrköy,
Saribudak and Yukarimaden.
Regional festivals give a fascinating insight into local
customs. The best known among these is the Kafkasör
Cultural and Arts Festival held each year in the second
half of June. The festival is unique in the world, featuring
a Turkish version of bullfighting. Prize bulls, classified
according to their neck thickness and weight, are pitted
against each other in fights that stop short of mortal injury.
The festival attracts a growing number of tourists from
around the around the world.
Altýparmak (BARHAL) River
Altiparmak (Barhal) river, located in the province of Artvin,
emerges from the southern side of the Kackar Mountains and
runs about 40 km to join the Coruh river 2 km south of Yusufeli.
The Altiparmak flows through a strikingly beautiful valley
enveloped by high mountains. Recommended for canoeing and
rafting, the river has a high flow-rate year round because
of the run-off of melting snow. The valley is rich in wildlife.
Proximity to the Kackar Mountains, one of the best areas
in Turkey for trekking, makes the Altiparmak a favorite
of sportsmen.
The basin of the Altiparmak can be reached by Yusufeli
via Artvin or Erzurum. Ögdem Creek joins the Altiparmak
6 km from Yusufeli. The town of Sarigöl is located
19 km from Yusufeli and is accessible by a stabilized gravel
road.
The neighborhood of Deftise, situated about 1.5 km beyond
Sarigöl, is distinguished by wooden two-story houses
built in traditional Black Sea style. Edged by dense green
forests, these picturesque houses and the misty summit of
the Kackar Mountains above create a very beautiful panorama.
The village of Altiparmak (Barhal) is accessible from Sarigöl
via a narrow, 12 km long road. People in Altiparmak village
are very hospitable and pleasant and simple inns accept
guests. This village serves as one of the main campsites
on the climb up Kackar Mountain.
A stabilized road leads to Yaylalar, 24 km beyond Altiparmak
village. The Artvin Kackar Tourism Center is located to
the west of Yaylalar.
COURSE
The pretty hamlet of Deftise, north of Sarigöl, provides
the best starting point for canoe and raft expeditions down
the Altiparmak, which runs approximately 22 km from this
point to the junction with the Coruh. The run is class 3-4.
The riverbed is rocky, and special care needs to be taken
when the river is low.
Three km from Sarigöl, the ruins of an old fortress
can be seen. The citadel of Bahceli is visible to the right
of the creek before reaching Yusufeli, after crossing the
concrete bridge located near the junction of Ögdem
creek and the Altiparmak. The run may be completed either
at Yusufeli or 2 km ahead, before the Altiparmak flows into
the Coruh River. May through August are the best months
to plan a canoe or raft trip on the Altiparmak.
WHAT TO SEE
The area around the Altiparmak ranks as one of the most
beautiful in Turkey. The hamlets located on the skirts of
the Kackar Mountains and along the river, the gardens and
orchards which follow the twists and turns of the waterway
through the valley, and the mist shrouded summits combine
to produce a picture of remarkable beauty.
Bahceli Kalesi is the most impressive fortress in the valley,
perched in all its grandeur on a rocky outcrop near Yusufeli.
The ruins of a second fortress are visible further up the
mountainside.
Most trekkers and mountain climbers to the Kackar Mountain's
stop at Yusufeli before setting out, spending their first
day in the town to buy provisions and find a local guide.
July, August and September are the best months for expeditions
to the area.
The Yusufeli region has numerous historic citadels, churches,
hamams and cellars that are interesting to visit. The medieval
Georgian churches of Dörtkilise, Ishan, Barhal and
Demirkent are especially noteworthy and the Tortum waterfall
is unusually beautiful.
Fýrtýna River
Firtina River is interesting not only for the arched bridges
spanning it and the tea plantations that line its banks
but also for the traditional costumes of the local population.
Formed by a number of streams on the Black Sea side of Kackar
Mountains, the Firtina runs 57 km long through verdant countryside
until it flows into the Black Sea about 2 km west of Ardesen,
Rize.
The arched stone bridges crossing the water add to the
beauty of the Firtina, which is recommended for river sports
along the following course.
COURSE
The town of Camlihemsin is located 22 km to the south of
the Rize-Ardesen road. The Course begins approximately 1
km to the south of Camlihemsin (0 km). Paddlers should be
cantious of boulders at 5 km and dangerous passages at 7
km, 8 km and 9 km. The Duygulu Falls located on the western
slope at 12 km are lovely. The course finishes at any convenient
point before the Firtina reaches the Black Sea. The 23 km
long course is very rocky, rating a hardship degree of 3-4-5
in places depending on the speed of the water. Extra caution
is required during heavy rains. The Firtina is recommended
for river sports all year round.
WHAT TO SEE
Firtina River, located in the province of Rize, runs through
a setting of lush greenery and majestic mountains, offering
exciting rafting and canoeing as well as a look at the historical
and cultural wealth of the area.
The area is well-known for its yayla, or high mountain
pastures used as summer residences and grazing grounds by
the locals. The festivities surrounding the departure for
and arrival at the yayla, a tradition kept alive by local
people, are particularly interesting. The most important
yaylas in the area are Ayder, renowned for its waterfall
and recently opened hot spring spa, as well as Lower and
Upper Kavron, Elevit and Trovit.
Twelve km south of Camlihemsin, the citadel of Zilkale,
situated on the rocky peak, has a perimeter of 400 m with
eight towers and a watch tower.
Those who come to this area for river sports can also go
trekking on the Kackar Mountains.
Activities
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