Ayder

Ayder is a resort town in Eastern Karadeniz region of Turkey, up in the lush Kaçkar Mountains, surrounded by waterfalls.

Get in
Getting in is easy(ish): take a bus from either Trabzon, Rize or Hopa to Pazar and take a dolmuş from there (though the last departure is at about 6PM during summertime)

Get around
Walk till your heart's content or take a dolmuş back to Chamlihemshin (to get cash or get into another valley) or Pazar.

It's a nice trek up to Yukarı Kavron, mountain pastures higher in the valley, towards the Kackar peak. However, there are far too many vehicles during the summer. It'a better idea to take the dolmuş, from the center of Ayder, and start your trek from Kavron.

See
Beautiful mountain scenery and maybe Hemshin people dancing and playing a peculiar sounding bagpipe.

Do

 * Walk through the beautiful mountain scenery of the Kaçkar Mountains. Head up Mount Kaçkar or to the three lakes: lots to see and do. It is advisable to hire a guide though.
 * Take a dip in the hot spring pool at the local hamam&mdash;hot and wonderful after a day's hike.

Go next
Take the dolmuş to Pazar and from there a bus to Trabzon or Rize.