Kovalık Geçidi

Kovalık Geçidi

Turkey, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,439 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Kovalık Geçidi, a seriously awesome mountain pass in Turkey's Black Sea region, specifically Gümüşhane Province.

Get ready to climb! This baby tops out at a cool 2,439 meters (that's 8,001 feet!), and the road to the summit? Gravel, baby! You'll find it nestled between Erzincan and Çayırlı, and trust me, the ascent is a leg-burner.

Word to the wise: winter storms can hit hard up here, so keep an eye on the weather. And if you're not comfortable on steep gravel, or if visibility's poor, maybe give this one a miss until you're feeling more confident. But if you're up for the challenge, the views are totally worth it!

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Road Details

Country
Turkey
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,439 m
Difficulty
hard

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