The Aydar Plain

The plains of Ayder, Rize , please . It's attached to the county of Chalmers, The mountains of Kaçkar It's a natural wonder on the edge of the world. With its lush meadows, waterfalls, spas, and historic houses, it offers visitors an unforgettable experience. The plateau is one of the few places where you can do nature sports and relax in the fresh air, and it is beautiful in all seasons. The snow-covered landscape in winter offers a fascinating sight with a thousand shades of green in summer.

The most famous feature of the plateau is its hot spring, which comes from a depth of 250 meters and has a water temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. The water of this spring is believed to be good for rheumatism, skin diseases, and many other ailments. On the plateau, where you can relax in the baths, you will also have the opportunity to practice various nature sports. The Storm River It's a must-see for rafting enthusiasts. With trails of different levels of difficulty, it meets everyone's expectations. The Kaçkar Mountains are a stopover point for mountaineering enthusiasts. To reach the summit, you can camp on the Ayder plateau, store oxygen.

The Aydar Plateau: The Natural Paradise of the Black Sea and a Holiday Dream

In the magical embrace of the district of Çamlıhemşin, which belongs to the province of Rize, the Ayder Plateau, located at an altitude of 1350 meters above sea level, is like a jewel in the heart of nature. This unique plateau, with its rich flora and fauna, is proud to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

The magical atmosphere of the Aydar Plateau, its natural beauty and the many accommodation options it offers attract vacationers. The plateau offers a wide range of accommodation, from typical plateau houses to bungalows, from family businesses to hotels.

This is Rize Ayder Steppe. It's covered in spruce and fir trees. While the inhabitants of the plateau enjoy the delicious honey derived from various flowers, they also have the opportunity to rest their bodies in the healing springs. This unique landscape, nestled in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, is like a corner of paradise.

The history of the Aydar Plateau stretches back to the 13th century, while the 19th In the 19th century, permanent settlements began to form. In the 20th century, permanent settlements began to form. The natives rested at Ayder Spa in the early 1900s, returning to Ayder in September for the harvest festival. These entertaining activities, accompanied by traditional dances, have been called the "Hajj" period.

The Ayder Plateau, which was declared a tourist area in 1987, gained the status of a National Park in 1944 and has become a place where nature and entertainment meet.

Ayder Plateau is one of the important centers of both nature and health tourism in our country. The plateau, which is the starting point for mountaineers to climb Mount Kaçkar, attracts everyone with its magnificent views. Tree-covered hills, wooden houses, and greenery with all the nuances of nature make the Aydar Plateau a corner of paradise. The bride-to-be's waterfall, which resembles a wedding feast, gives visitors unforgettable moments.

Where is the Ayder Plateau?

The Aydar Plateau belongs to the province of Rize in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is located about 19 km from Çamlıhemşin district of Rize. Ayder Plateau is famous for its natural beauty and thermal waters and is an important destination in terms of plateau tourism. Surrounded by the cool climate and lush nature of the eastern Black Sea, the Aydar Plateau offers an unforgettable experience for visitors.

How to Get to the Aydar Plateau

You can use the land or air options to get to the Aydar Plateau.

If you want to go by land, you need to follow the Black Sea coastal road past the Ardeşen Storm Bridge to reach Çamlıhemşin. From here, you can make a 12-mile [19 km] journey to the plateau by turning in the direction of Ayder Springs.

If you want to go by air, you can land at Trabzon Airport by plane and rent a car from there or use public transport such as buses or minibuses. It takes about 2 hours to reach the plateau from Trabzon Airport.

The Aydar Plateau can be visited in any season, but the summer months are the busiest. You can do many activities on the plateau, such as nature walks, waterfall and lake trips, photography, and spa pleasures. There is also the possibility of accommodation on the plateau. Wooden bungalow houses or boarding houses offer you affordable and comfortable options.

The height of the Aydar Plateau

The height of the plateau is 1218 meters. This altitude allows the plateau to have a cool and temperate climate and contributes to lower temperatures even in the summer. The high altitude of the plateau also offers an impressive environment where magnificent natural landscapes can be viewed.

The History of the Aydar Plateau

The history of the Aydar Plateau goes back to very ancient times. The plateau and its surroundings have been home to different civilizations throughout history and bear the traces of these civilizations. However, there is no clear information about exactly when and by whom the plateau was settled. Nevertheless, there is some information about the history of the plateau:

The first settlements of the plain: The first settlements of the plateau are based on the history of the Laz and Hemşin people who lived in the area and are thought to have been used by these indigenous peoples for agriculture and livestock. Traditional plateau culture shows that the plateau has been used as a settlement for many years.

A stopover on the Eastern Black Sea Route: The Eastern Black Sea Route, a branch of the historic Silk Road, facilitated trade and cultural interaction in the region. Due to its strategic location on this road, it is also known that the plateau could have been one of the accommodation and resting points of trade caravans throughout history.

Tourism and Health Tourism Development: Especially since the 1950s, Ayder has gained importance in terms of health tourism with the discovery of its thermal waters. During this period, accommodation facilities and tourist structures were built on the plateau and efforts were made to attract tourists to the area.

The history of the Aydar Plateau It may not contain exact information, but it's a fact that the region has been influenced by different civilizations throughout history, and the traditional plateau culture has lasted for many years. Today, the plateau maintains its popularity as an important destination that attracts tourists and travelers with both its natural beauty and its historical texture.

The Natural Beauty of the Aydar Plateau

The natural beauty of the Aydar Plateau, its rich vegetation, its waterfalls, its hot springs and its historical texture enchant visitors.

To reach the plateau, it is necessary to pass through a road 19 km from the district center of Çamlıhemşin. All the way. The mountains of Kaçkar It is possible to see the villages, streams and forests located on the slopes of the river. And when you reach the Aydar Plateau, you're greeted by a landscape of every shade of green. Flowing through the middle of the plateau. The Storm River It irrigates the surrounding meadows. It's one of the most important natural beauties of the plateau. The waterfall of the bride It is. This waterfall looks like a bride's wreath with water pouring from a height of 15 meters. The spa next to the waterfall is famous for its healing waters and is good for rheumatism, skin diseases, and nervous system disorders.

The natural beauty of the Aydar Plateau is not limited to these. There are many hiking trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas around the plateau. One of these trails is the road to the Kaçkar Mountains National Park. This road offers a unique experience for nature lovers. Kaçkar Mountains National Park is one of the largest national parks in Turkey.

In addition to its natural beauty, Ayder is also noted for its cultural richness. The people living on the plateau live the traditional Black Sea culture.

Activities on the Aydar Plateau

Ayder offers many activities thanks to its natural beauty and rich natural structure. There are various activities for both nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Here are the main activities you can do on the plateau:

Nature Walks and Trekking: Ayder is surrounded by beautiful nature walks and trekking routes. By walking on and around the plateau, you can discover unique natural beauty and mountain views.

Visit to Ayder Waterfall and Bride Tulu Waterfall: You can take a short walk to see Ayder Falls, which is close to the center of the plateau. You can also witness the power of nature by visiting the Bride's Feather Falls, located near the plateau.

Rafting and nature sports: The streams in the area provide an ideal environment for rafting and nature sports. If you want to have an adventurous experience, you can join the rafting tours organized in the nearby area.

Riding a horse: Horseback riding in the plains is very popular. You can have a pleasurable experience exploring the natural beauty of the plain on horseback.

This is photography. The natural beauty and unique landscapes of the plateau offer a wonderful opportunity for photographers. You can take your camera and immortalize the unique nature of the plateau.

The thermal baths: The thermal waters of Ayder offer an important opportunity for health tourism. You can spend a pleasant time relaxing and experiencing the health benefits of the thermal facilities on the plateau.

The nature camp: The plateau and its surroundings offer suitable areas for those who want to make a nature camp. You can spend a peaceful night camping in the fresh air, in the embrace of nature.

A Taste of the Local Taste: Aydar Plateau is famous for its local food and delicacies. You can taste local delicacies by tasting local flavors such as cornbread, cassava pie, and millet. You can also taste the famous Ayder honey.

The Ayder Plateau is an ideal destination for those seeking an unforgettable nature experience. Thanks to these activities, you can discover the beauties of the plateau, spend pleasant moments in harmony with nature and have an unforgettable holiday experience.

Accommodation on the Ayder Plateau

Since Ayder is a tourist area, there is a wide variety of accommodation options. Yayla offers visitors different accommodation options, from hostels to boutique hotels. The accommodation facilities are designed in harmony with the natural beauty and thermal waters of the plateau and are usually made of wooden architecture. Here are some of the accommodation options on the Ayder Plateau:

Boarding houses: Hostels, a common accommodation option on the plateau, offer affordable and warm accommodation. In hostels, rooms are usually shared and there are ample common areas.

The Boutique Hotels: There are many boutique hotels in Ayder. Offering a stylish and comfortable accommodation experience in the midst of nature, these hotels are ideal for those looking for a more personal and private accommodation.

Thermal hotels: Thermal hotels are also common due to the presence of thermal waters on the plateau. In these hotels you can experience the health benefits of the thermal waters and relax.

Nature Houses and Bungalows: On the plateau, some indigenous people open their homes to visitors for accommodation. By staying in these traditional wooden houses, you can experience local life and culture more closely.

Camping and caravan areas: If you are looking for an accommodation experience in harmony with nature, there are also camping and caravan areas on the plateau. You can set up your own tent or make a pleasant stay with your caravan.

Before going to the plateau, it is important to check the reservation status of the accommodation facilities and book a place that is affordable and has the comfort you prefer. Especially in the summer months and during the tourist seasons, it is very popular in the summer, so it is useful to make an early reservation in order to find a place. Accommodation options in Ayder vary to suit every budget and preference. This will give you a relaxed and unforgettable holiday experience as you explore the plateau.

The Festival of Aydar

The Ayder Festival is a traditional event held every year in the Ayder Plain, which belongs to the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize. Festivals are held in summer and winter with different themes.

The summer festivities are held in the first week of June and offer exhibitions of various plants grown in the region, performances of folk games, concerts, local dishes and many more activities.

The winter festivities are held in the last week of January and include fun activities such as sledging, skiing, umbrella skiing, snowman competition, concerts and DJ performances. Ayder Festivals welcomes nature lovers with a magnificent view of the plateau and warm hospitality.

Admission to the Aydar Plateau 2023

The prices for entering the plateau by car are as follows:

• Car: 20 TL

• Minibus: 35 TL

•Midibus: 80 TL

•Bus: 130 TL