
Yaylasuyu Gecidi is a paved road heading deep into the high mountains
Turkey, europe
N/A
2,362 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through eastern Turkey's Erzurum Province, you HAVE to check out the Yaylasuyu Geçidi! This mountain pass climbs to a whopping 2,362 meters (that's 7,749 feet!).
The road itself is paved, so no need to worry about your low riders. You'll find it nestled between Çukurtepe and Çat. Just be warned, this climb is no joke – it's seriously steep!
Keep in mind that this area is prone to some crazy winter storms, so plan accordingly. And honestly, if you're not super confident driving on winding mountain roads, especially when it's dark or foggy, maybe skip this one.
But hey, if you're up for the challenge, the views are totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,362 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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