Highest point Kaçkar Dağı Mountains Kaçkar Dağı | ||
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Similar Kaçkar Dağı, Fırtına Deresi, Çoruh River, Zilkale, Pokut Yaylası | ||
Kaçkar Mountains (Armenian: Խաչքար Լեռները; Turkish: Kaçkar Dağları) or simply Kaçkars (Turkish: Kaçkarlar) are a mountain range that rises above the Black Sea coast in eastern Turkey.
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With highest peak Kaçkar Dağı at an elevation of 3,937 metres (12,917 ft), and mountain plateaus at about 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in elevation, it is the highest part of the Pontic Mountains. The Kaçkars are glaciated mountains that are alpine in character, with steep rocky peaks and numerous mountain lakes. The area was declared a national park in 1994. Tourism activities in the park include hiking, camping, mountaineering, and, increasingly, heliskiing.
Geography and etymology
The name Kaçkar (from Armenian khachkar (Խաչքար) literally meaning "cross stone") may be used in various senses. It may describe the whole mountain range, including the many mountain groups, or it may just describe the Kaçkar-Kavron group with its highest peak, or just the highest peak itself. The local name of the highest peak or its mountain group Kaçkar Dağı translates to Kaçkar Mountain, and the name of the range Kaçkar Dağları translates to Kaçkar Mountains.
On the south and east, the Kaçkar Mountains are bordered by the Çoruh river valley; on the north, by the Black Sea coast.
Major mountain groups
Trekking
Kackar Mountains are one of the best trekking sites in Turkey. Kackars have two ideal trekking routes. The first is from the Black Sea side; the path is clear and it is easy to trek, while the Coruh side is more difficult and hazardous. Kackar Mountains are cold and have glaciers, hence ice axes and crampons are required. The best time for trekking is between June and September.
