Kaçkar Summit Self-Launched Trek: Rize to Mount Kaçkar (3937m)

Land at Rize–Artvin Airport (RZV) and take the Havaş/shuttle or a dolmuş to Pazar or Rize otogar (approx 30–60 min, £2–4), then a minibus to Çamlıhemşin (£2–3, ~45 min). From Çamlıhemşin, take the local dolmuş or shared 4x4 up the hairpins to Ayder Highland (£3–5, 25 min). Drop your bag at a highland pension and walk down to see the Gelintülü waterfall and the Ayder plateau. In the afternoon take a local dolmuş south through the Fırtına (Storm) Valley to photograph the Ottoman-era stone arch bridges — the Şenyuva and Timisvat bridges are the classics — and drink tea over the rushing river. Pack for tomorrow's hike and buy a lunch box; dinner at the pension (typical highland dinner, £8–12).

🚌RZV airport shuttle to Pazar/Rize (£2–4); minibus Rize–Çamlıhemşin (£2–3); dolmuş/4x4 Çamlıhemşin–Ayder (£3–5)

🛏Family-run highland pension or guesthouse in Ayder (shared/private basic room, £18–28)

• →Rize Artvin Airport arrival and local bus transfers
• →Fırtına Valley historical Ottoman stone bridges (Şenyuva, Timisvat)
• →Ayder Highland village walk and Gelintülü waterfall
• →Highland pension dinner and gear prep

Early start: take a local 4x4 or shared transfer from Ayder up to Yukarı Kavron (approx £10–15 shared; agree the price the night before at the pension, or arrange via the Çamlıhemşin muhtarlık). From Yukarı Kavron (~2200m) follow the well-worn trail past the small Acı Lake, then climb steadily to Lanetleme Pass (~2900m) — the high point of the day and often snow-patched until July. Descend past Karadeniz Lake to Dibe Düzü and on to Olgunlar Highland (~2200m, 6–8 hrs walking). This is a marked trail but navigation skills and an offline map (Maps.me or OSMand) are essential in mist. Overnight in a basic highland guesthouse or camp at Olgunlar; there are a couple of simple pansiyons serving gözleme, soup and trout.

🚌Shared 4x4/dolmuş Ayder–Yukarı Kavron (£10–15 shared)

🛏Simple highland pansiyon or guesthouse at Olgunlar (£12–18) or own tent

• →Trek Yukarı Kavron to Olgunlar Highland (6–8 hrs)
• →Acı Lake and Karadeniz Lake
• →Cross Lanetleme Pass (~2900m)
• →Dibe Düzü and Dibe Highland viewpoints

A shorter but steeper day: from Olgunlar (~2200m) follow the trail up through Nastaf Highland's summer yayla huts and grazing herds, then on to Dilberdüzü (~2800m), the classic base camp for Kaçkar. Around 4–5 hrs walking. Set up camp or check into the basic campsite-hut setup at Dilberdüzü — there is a simple teahouse/hut serving tea, soup and eggs. Spend the afternoon acclimatising: short acclimatisation walk above camp, filter water from the stream, and pre-cook or buy dinner. If you'd rather not self-navigate the summit, hire a local highland guide here or in Olgunlar for tomorrow (£40–70 per day, negotiable; ask at the pansiyon or via your Ayder pension).

🚌On foot — no transport required

🛏Camp at Dilberdüzü (£5–8 campsite fee) or basic hut space (£10–15)

• →Trek Olgunlar to Dilberdüzü (~4–5 hrs)
• →Nastaf Highland yayla huts and summer pastures
• →Acclimatisation walk above Dilberdüzü
• →Optional local highland guide arrangement for summit day

Summit day. Leave camp before sunrise (about 4–5 am) with headtorches, cross the scree and snow patches past Deniz Gölü (Sea Lake, ~3200m), then ascend the final rocky ridge to the 3937m Kaçkar summit (4–6 hrs up, 3–4 hrs down). Snow can persist into July on the upper slopes — crampons and an ice axe may be needed in June/early July; late July to September is generally the most straightforward window. On the summit, sign the book, take photos and rest — the Black Sea is visible on clear days. Return to Dilberdüzü the same afternoon. Carry extra water, a proper packed lunch and a stove; this is a genuinely demanding high-altitude day and you should turn back if weather closes in. A local guide costs roughly £40–70 if you choose one.

🚌On foot — no transport required

🛏Camp at Dilberdüzü (£5–8 campsite fee) or basic hut space (£10–15)

• →Sunrise ascent via Deniz Gölü (Sea Lake)
• →Mount Kaçkar summit at 3937m
• →Summit register, photos and rest
• →Return descent to Dilberdüzü base camp

Break camp and hike back down to Olgunlar Highland (approx 3 hrs). From Olgunlar, local 4x4s run down to Ayder and Çamlıhemşin in season (£8–15 shared); alternatively walk out to the Ayder road and pick up a dolmuş. From Çamlıhemşin, minibus to Rize or Pazar otogar (£2–3), then Havaş/shuttle or dolmuş to Rize–Artvin Airport (£2–4). If your flight leaves late, stop for kuymak (cheese-and-cornmeal) and muhlama in Ayder, then a final tea by the Fırtına. Allow a good buffer — mountain weather can slow the walk-out.

🚌4x4/dolmuş Olgunlar–Ayder (£8–15 shared); minibus to Rize/Pazar (£2–3); airport shuttle (£2–4)

🛏None — onward travel or an optional night in Rize/Çamlıhemşin (£15–25)

• →Trek Dilberdüzü to Olgunlar (~3 hrs)
• →Optional kuymak/muhlama stop in Ayder
• →Transfer back to Rize Artvin Airport