Translation

Ayder:

 A cloud-wreathed ‘honey forest’   Ayder’s breathtaking beauty is to be found where the Black Sea’s Fırtına (Storm) Valley meets the Kaçkar Mountains. The area is known locally as a “honey forest,” though its fame has spread beyond the region. Indeed its beauty is such that words are not sufficient to describe it; it must be seen to be understood. However alarm bells are ringing for Ayder, which has recently become a popular tourist resort. The Ayder plateau which is located near Çayeli, a small town of the city of Rize, has a breathtaking beauty.  

The Ayder plateau is located near Çayeli, a small town of the city of Rize. If you leave the coastal road and take the forest path you will almost immediately find yourself in pristine natural beauty. With its craggy topography and rich flora and fauna, the valley ands with the Kaçkar Mountains, which host glacial lakes feeding the valley’s river. The damming of the valley was once considered and hotly debated, but such was the beauty and natural value of the area the dam project was abandoned.

An ever-present sound of water

If you are already keen to visit Ayder from what you have heard so far, you are right to be so. However on your journey through Storm Valley be sure to take a brief break in Çamlıhemsin. There you can stock up on provisions before following the river-side path, marked by unique stone bridges, which will afford you some magnificent views of small waterfalls and cataracts. Other sights not to be missed en route include the log cabins about the falls and the local inhabitants going about their daily business in a way seemingly unchanged for centuries. As you ascend into the clouds you approach Ayder. Eleven villages and 44 plateaus are settled within the Kaçkar Mountains National Park, but the magic of the Ayder plateau is distinct. It has an imitable beauty. The plateau, now protected, is almost more like an arboretum or botanic park, home as it is to so great a variety of plant life.

    The plateau’s authentic houses are as interesting as its nature. You are certainly welcome to step inside uninvited to chat and taste the local food. Please remember not to offer to pay for what you have eaten or drunk; such offerings are a gift, making payment akin to an insult. The lakes region close to Ayder should also be seen; we recommend the Black Sea Glacial Lake and Great Sea Lake to those who feel themselves up to the challenge.

Ayder is full of surprises. Sunshine may all of a sudden sun turn to rain, or the entire mountain become covered by heavy fog. Regardless of the weather conditions, its is a beauty that makes one forget everything but the moment. The plateau’s abundant nature and scent-laden fresh air make visitors feel vibrant and full of life.

The steadily growing plateau tourism is making Ayder a focal point for those who seeking serenity and tranquility. This increased interest brings with it a tremendous threat: The concrete houses and pensions nearby the valley are nothing short of a disgrace.Uncontrolled development indicates that an imminent threat awaits Ayder, despite its being a protected area. To remedy the problem the Ministries of Environment and Forestry and of Culture and Tourism and the regional municipalities must take immediate action. Concrete buildings are prohibited in Ayder, but apparently the ban is not widely observed.

If you have the chance to visit the plateau, don’t forget to sample the local food -- particularly the renowned honey. And you will regret it if you don’t quench your thirst from a crystal-clear spring.

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