Where is Verçenik Yaylası?
Turkey, europe
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Verçenik Yaylası, a seriously high-up plateau clinging to the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey, right on the border of Rize and Erzurum. Getting here? It's an adventure, to say the least. We're talking a completely unpaved road that hugs the riverbank – super rocky and rough. Seriously, you NEED a 4x4 with good clearance.
The climb to the top starts near Yaylalar Köyü and it's a hefty 22km to the summit. You'll be gaining a massive 1,582 meters in elevation, so buckle up for a pretty steep average gradient of 7.2%.
Some say it’s a tough ride, but totally doable if you take it slow and watch out for those rocks. And here's the thing: the difficulty of getting here is part of the magic. Keep in mind there aren't any shops on the plateau. A handful of locals and workers call this place home, so bring your own food and drinks. While not every car can make it up here, the reward is one of the highest and most breathtaking plateaus you'll ever see. For a similar experience, check out Koycegiz Gecidi in Erzurum!
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