TOURISTIC PLACES

      PLATEAU TOURISM IN TRABZON

       Besides its natural and economic value, Plateau is important from social and tourism perspectives. In addition to the culture tourism, the plateau tourism is also very developed.

       Contrary to the humid and hot weather in summer, the plateaus in Trabzon are very attractive with rich flora and fauna, forests, crater lakes, rivers, streams, mountain and nature walk, rafting, canoe and winter sports, hunting and fishing, grass skiing, healing water, and local dishes. Their unspoiled reflection on the public culture is another landmark of inspiration, indeed.

       The plateaus of Trabzon with their natural and economic aspects lie at the very cradle of a social "amenity". Going to a plateau between May and September is an old tradition for the people living in the rural parts of the region; Plateau Festivals take place in twenty five of these plateaus. Besides the people living there, many tourists from the other cities and countries rush to join in these festivals characterized by folk dance "horon" with music played by kemence, drum and shrill pipe. Kadırga, Soguksu, Karadağ, Sis Dağı and Hıdırnebi festivals have already become international.

       The plateaus are covered with plants and flowers and very charming houses. Many holiday villages have ben built by Trabzon governorship in Hıdırnebi, Kayabaşı and Düzköy plateaus in order to meet the increasing demand of the people; furthermore, many wooden bungalow hotels and motels built in Zigana and Uzungöl by the private sector also serve this aim.

       There are also daily tours to the plateaus. Minibuses are also available to go there from Trabzon. Since the roads are regularly maintained you can go there by car as well.

TOURISM CENTERS

      MAÇKA ŞOLMA TOURISM CENTER

       It is reached via Mağura plateau and 22 kilometers from Maçka. Şalma plateau, which is 1800 m high, has all necessary facilities including telephones, butcher's, grocer's. Every year, on the first Saturday and Sunday of July Soğuksu Plateau festivals are arranged on Lişer plateau which is a twenty minute drive from Şomla plateau. Şomla Plateau was declared to be a tourism center on 5th May, 1990.

      TRABZON- GÜMÜŞHANE ERİKBELİ TOURISM CENTER

       It is 25 kilometre from Trobzon and 34 kilometre from Şalpazarı. The plateau which is at an elevation of 1800 metres has butcher's, baker's, grocer's and cafe. Phone service is also available in Erikli Plateau. Kadırga Plateau festivals which is one of the biggest festivals of the region is traditionally arranged on the third Friday of July in Kadırga Plateau, which is located in a place 4 kilometres to the east of Erikbeli Plateau and thousands of people dance horon in long circles. Erikbeli plateau was declared to be tourism center by the decision of the Council of Ministers on 5th March, 1990.

      AKÇAABAT-KARADAĞ TOURİSM CENTER

       You can reach Karadağ Plateau via Vakfıkebir and Akçaabat-Düzköy districts. Drivers should be careful due to the fact that its road is unmetalled. The name of Karadağ plateau derives from Karadağ Mountain, which is 1446 metres high. In the center of the plateau, are grocer's, cafe, restaurant, baker's serving during the plateau season. In Serda, which is one of the regions of Karadağ Plateau, plateau festivals are arranged traditionally on the first Sunday and Saturday of September. Karadağ Plateau was declared to be a tourism center by the decision of the Council of the Ministers on 5th of March, 1990.

      ÇAYKARA- UZUNGÖL TOURISM CENTER

       Every year, around 200 thousand tourists both local and foreign come to visit Uzungöl, which is one of the most important tourism centers of Trabzon. In Uzungöl, hotels, motels, pensions and bungalows, some of which are made of wood serve for tourism. Uzungöl Tourism Center, which approximately one thousand bed capacity, is 100 kilometres from Caykara district. Especially in summer time, trips to Uzungöl from Trabzon and Caykara district are arranged regularly. Uzungöl, which has an elevation of 1090 metres, draws great attention due to the fact that it has a setting between two valleys and has a big lake in the middle. Uzungöl tourism festivals are performed on 1st August with the participation of both local and foreign tourists. Uzungöl was declared to be a tourism center by Ministry of Tourism on 5th March, 1990.

      ARAKLI PAZARCIK TOURISM CENTER

       Pazarcık Tourism Center is reached by the route of Dağbaşı in Araklı district of Trabzon. Pazarcık Tourism Center is 60 kilometres away from Araklı and from here you can reach Gümüşhane via Yağmurdere and reach Bayburt via Aydıntepe, as well. On the way to Bayburt and Gumuşhane are fascinating views to watch in the mountains, valleys and villages. The plateau offers shopping facilities, butchers and phone services. Pazarcık was declared to be a tourism center by the decision of the Council of Ministers on 20th May, 1991.

      ARAKLI YEŞİLYURT, YILANTAŞ TOURISM CENTER

       Yeşilyurt-Yılantaş tourism center is accessed after a 64-kilometer trip from Trabzon and a 33 kilometer one via Araklı. Ten kilometer part of its road is unmetalled, other part is covered with asphalt. Every year between 25th August and 1st September Culture and Art festivals are arranged in Yeşilyurt. Both local and foreign tourists pay great attention to this festival. Yılantaş was declared to be a tourism center by the decision of the Council of Ministers in 1998.

      CALENDER OF TRABZON PLATEAU FESTIVALS

Row
Number
NAME VENUE DATE
1 Hidirellez Spring Festival Salpazari-Acisu The first Sunday of May
2 Salpazari Agasar Culture Festival Salpazari The first Sunday of June
3 Sultan Murat Martyrs Memory Day Caykara Sultan Murat Plateau June 23
4 Harmantepe Martyrs Memory Day Koprubasi-Harmantepe June 29
5 Sea Entertainments Akcaabat July 6
6 Soguksu Festivals Ocakli K.Liser Plateau July 7
7 Hamsikoy and surrounding villages “Sutlac” Festival Hamsikoy and its surrounding The first Saturday of July
8 Hirsafa Karadag Festivals Duzkoy-Karadag Saturday and Sunday of July
9 Karadag Plateau Festivals Vakfikebir-Karadag The 2nd Saturday and Sunday of July
10 Akcaabat Culture and Art Hidirnebi Plateau Festival Akcaabat-Hidirnebi Plateau July 18-19-20
11 Kadirga Plateau Festivals Kadirga Plateau in Tonya-Salpazari Boundary The 3rd Friday of July
12 Alaca Plateau Festival Salpazari Alaca Plateau The 3rd Sunday of July
13 Taskopru Culture and Plateau Festival Asrin-Yomra-Taskopru Plateau The 3rd Sunday of July
14 Sisdagi Festivals Besikduzu-Salpazari Sis Mountain The 4th Saturday of July
15 Kaldirim Plateau Festival Carsibasi The 4th Saturday of July
16 Surmene Culture and Tourism Festival Surmene July 31
17 Uzungol Culture and Tourism Festival Caykara Uzungol August 1-2-3
18 Kurtdagi Plateau Festivals Caykara The first weekend of August
19 Yesiltepe Plateau Festival Macka The first Sunday of August
20 Aga Konagi Festival Uzumozu Village-Salpazari The first Sunday of August
21 Kamena Festival Duzkoy Plateau August 8
22 Zarha Mountain Festival Surmene-Trabzon The 2nd week of August
23 Ilaksa Plateau Festival Mataraci Village-Macka The 2nd weekend of August
24 Sultanmurat Festivals Caykara August 20
25 Honefter Festival Duzkoy-Hanofter Plateau August 20
26 Akcakoy Harmancik Festivals Akcaabat-Akcakoy-Harmancik August 22
27 Yesilyurt-Yilantas Traditional Culture and Art Festival Yesilyurt-Arakli August 25-September 1
28 Coban Assoiation Festival Alazli Plateau-Duzkoy August 27
29 İzmis Festval The point joining Tonya- Besikduzu and Salpazari The last Sunday of August
30 Kadiralak Plateau Festival Tonya The first week of September
31 Karadag Serda Festival Duzkoy Karadag Plateau -Serda The first week of September
32 Sivri Festival Vakfikebir-Tonya Boundary Sivri Hill September 4

  
Design: Hasan ÇELİK

Translation: Ismail KOSE