MOUNTAINS

Kackar

Kackar mountain is located in the south east of Barhal. It is 3937 m. high. The mountain is between the Ayder plateau of Rize and Barhal's Borovan plateau. It is the highest mountain of the North Anatolia and the fifth highest mountain of Turkey. There are many types of endemic plant and flower. For mountaineers and trekking it is known better and chosen more frequently han other mountains in Turkey.

Altiparmak

Altiparmak mountains, are located to the west of Barhal. Its height is 3562 m. The new name of Barhal is taken from these mountains. Altiparmak mountains stand as a mountain range and creates a natural border with the neighbour province Rize. There are many large and small glacier lakes in the mountains. The mountains are the source of Barhal stream. It is a good track for trekking and mountaneering.

Marsis

Marsis mountain is a portion of Altiparmaks with a height of 3334 m. It is located to the northwest of Barhal village. Karagol located in the mountain is one of the biggest glacier lakes and is worth seeing.

Karcal

Karcals located in the Georgia border is one of the most important places for biodiversity. Has the most significant examples of mixed leaf forests. The most important feature of Karcal mountains is the ecosystem diversity resulted from sudden height changes, high endemic rate and rich wild life.

 

LAKES

Deniz Lake

Located in Kackar mountains 3412th meter. Depth is 72 m. Lake is the world second deepest lake located in such height.

Okuz Lake

Located in Altiparmaks 2900th meter. Is the source of Kisla stream

Davar Lake

Located in Altiparmaks 2700th meter.

Perili Lake

Located in Altiparmaks summit. There are 3 small glacier lakes to the west of this lake. These lakes melt in spring. The name Perili means "Haunted" in Turkish. Interesting stories about the lake is widespread in the region.

Karagol (Black Lake)

Located in Marsis mountain, the lake is one of the biggest lakes in the region.

 

 

PLATEAUS

In plateaus spread over Artvin, it is possible to see the best examples of wood and stone architecture. The plateaus are are covered on mountains, forests and gushing rivers. On all of these plateaus camping is possible. On some of them there are pensions.

 

RIVERS

Coruh

Çoruh river passes through the mountains of th region and reaches Blacksea. The length of Coruh in Artvin is 150 km long. Starting from the 3225 m Mescit mountain, after 466 km it reaches the sea in Georgia. Coruh is worlds one of the fastest rivers.

Barhal Stream

Barhal (Altiparmak) stream, is one of the most important tributaries of Coruh. It mixes Coruh in Yusufeli.

 

 

FLORA/FAUNA

Scientific researches determines many endemic plant kinds exist on Kackars. Every year, many tourists and collector comes to collect the different insects, butterflies and plants.

Kackar is an important region for floriculture, insect and butterfly collectors.

 

The province is covered by forests by 55% (390.000 ha). Most of them consist of needle leaf trees.