الأنشطة السياحية في ريزا وسامسون على البحر الأسود

The provinces of Rize and Samsun in northern Turkey boast unique natural terrains, blending towering mountains, dense forests, and Black Sea–front coastlines. These regions experience heavy rainfall and mild weather, making them ideal destinations for eco-tourism and outdoor activities. Key activities include mountain hiking and camping in the Kaçkar highlands, exploring valleys and rivers, and visiting waterfalls and forests. In Samsun, the Kızılırmak River delta is renowned as a major bird-watching reserve, while terrains like Şahinkaya Canyon and the Nebiyan Mountains are famous for mountaineering.

Nature Activities in Rize

Rize is celebrated for its stunning scenery in the Eastern Black Sea region, with verdant forests and lofty peaks. Much of the area lies within Kaçkar National Park, noted for its biodiversity. In the Kaçkar range, plants such as Rhododendron grow up to 3,000 m, and wildlife includes wolves, bears, wild boar, deer, and chamois. Kaçkar Peak, at 3,937 m above sea level, is the highest point in the region and draws climbers from around the world.

View of Ayder Plateau in Rize surrounded by mountains and dense forests

One of Rize’s standout eco-tourism sites is Ayder Plateau (Ayder Yaylası), at about 1,350 m elevation, surrounded by pine and beech forests. The area features wooden cabins, lodges, and mountain resorts, and is famed for its natural hot springs. Visitors come for bathing and wellness stays, with accommodation in cabins or lodges to fully enjoy the natural beauty.

Mountains and Plateaus in Rize

Kaçkar Mountains (Kaçkar Dağları): Forming the border with Georgia, they offer hiking and climbing routes. High elevations include plateaus and resorts such as Ayder, Elevit, and Pokut, with basic tourist facilities.
Elevit Plateau (Elevit Yaylası): Located in the Çat Valley on Kaçkar’s slopes at 1,884 m, known for its forests, clear meadows, and flower diversity. Visitors can camp and hike in tranquil nature.
Pokut Plateau (Pokut Yaylası): At 2,032 m, famous for its misty landscapes and unique wooden houses. Low clouds often form at this altitude, and trails connect it to nearby Sal Plateau.
Gito Plateau (Gito Yaylası): At 2,070 m, south of the Fırtına Valley forests, offering breathtaking “above the clouds” views. On the ascent, you can visit the 750 m–high Zil Kale (Zil Castle) overlooking the valley.
Anzer Plateau (Anzer Yaylası): At 2,105 m, renowned for its colorful summer meadows and tiered green, yellow, and red pastures. It’s famous for Anzer honey production and offers paragliding over the plateaus.

Rivers and Water Sports in Rize

The Fırtına River (Fırtına Deresi) is one of Rize’s main rivers. It originates in the Kaçkar range and flows westward to the Black Sea over about 57 km. Tea plantations and old Ottoman stone bridges line its banks. The Fırtına Valley is known for water and leisure activities, including kayaking on its rapids—ideal for rafters and swimmers. The valley also hosts ziplines and hiking trails. A notable landmark is the century-old Şenyuva Bridge, spanning the river amid green forests.

Waterfalls in Rize

Rize is famed for numerous waterfalls that add special charm to its landscape. The most notable are:

Bulut Falls (Bulut Şelalesi): Rize’s tallest waterfall, fed by Kaçkar snowmelt. It cascades in four stages through lush greenery, about 22 km from Rize city.
Palovit Falls (Palovit Şelalesi): Turkey’s fourth-tallest waterfall, dropping about 15 m through dense pine forests. Located near Fırtına Valley, accessible by car, often shrouded in mist for a “flowing white veil” effect.
Gelin Tulu Falls (Gelin Tulu Şelalesi): On the Kaçkar highlands, also about 15 m high. Called the “bride’s veil” for its delicate white stream over green rock ledges. Mist often lends it a fairytale appearance. It joins the nearby Kaferon River, roughly 30 km from the city center.
Agaran Falls (Agaran Şelalesi): One of the region’s tallest, in Çayeli district. Fed by rain and Kaçkar ice melt, it flows over terraced rocks amid rich vegetation. Rare birds circle the falls, about 70 km northwest of Rize center.

Forests and Wildlife

Dense forests cover the northern slopes of the Kaçkar Mountains around Rize, featuring pine, olive, and cedar trees. Wildlife tours may spot squirrels and wild chamois, and seasonal flowers and herbs abound. Each winter, herds of sheep and goats move to Kaçkar highlands, offering a unique cultural-nature experience for visitors.

Tea Cultivation and Rural Greenery

Tea plantations blanket Rize’s mountain slopes in sprawling green terraces. Tea field tours let visitors stroll between rows, observe harvesting and leaf-drying processes, and taste processed tea at local factories. The enchanting terraced fields are a top exploration spot.

Nature Activities in Samsun

Samsun Province, west of Rize along the Black Sea coast, features varied terrain—sandy beaches, river plains, and mid-height mountains. Visitors find a mix of forests, waterways, and open nature, attracting both relaxation seekers and adventurers.

Mountains and Slopes of Samsun

Samsun also offers mountains for hiking enthusiasts, including the Nebiyan Mountains near the city center, which host the annual Nebiyan Tourism Festival and are popular for trekking. Two other ranges are Akdağ in Ladik district—with a winter ski center and summer paragliding routes—and the Kunduz Mountains, where nomadic shepherds camp with their flocks each summer.

Waterbodies and Beaches

At the mouth of the Kızılırmak River lies the Kızılırmak Delta, known as “Birds’ Paradise” (Kuş Cenneti). Covering some 56,000 ha, it is one of the South Black Sea’s largest wetlands, hosting hundreds of migratory and resident bird species, including storks and pelican flocks. In 2023, about 100,000 visitors explored the reserve by e-bike or eco-friendly bicycle, supporting wildlife conservation. In winter, it becomes a prime bird-watching site. Samsun also has tranquil golden-sand beaches, the most famous being Atakum Beach, perfect for relaxation or beach sports.

Waterfalls and Canyons in Samsun

Şahinkaya Canyon (Şahinkaya Kanyonu): One of Samsun’s greatest natural landmarks, 17 km north of Vezirköprü. Carved by river waters, it spans about 500 m wide and 350 m deep. Tree-lined walkways and viewing platforms overlook the Kızılırmak River at the canyon floor. As Turkey’s second-largest river canyon, it welcomed over 70,000 visitors in summer 2023, with tourist shuttles and boats provided by Samsun Municipality.
Kabaceviz Falls (Kabaceviz Şelalesi): North of Samsun, set among terraced forests and valleys. At approximately 60 m high, it cascades over rocky cliffs, attracting hikers and photographers.
Gölalan Falls (Gölalan Şelalesi): In the Nebiyan Mountains, pure waters descend through pine forests. A favorite stop for hiking and photography.

Wildlife and Birds

Samsun’s natural habitats support diverse wildlife. In Çamgölü Forest west of the city, broadleaf trees and meadows host small mammals and birdlife. In the Kızılırmak Delta reserve, over 40 % of Western Europe’s bird species have been recorded, including mangrove-like flooded forests called Gallerij and key habitats for storks, gulls, and pelicans.

Sports and Adventure in Samsun

Samsun’s terrain offers many outdoor sports. Akdağ Mountain hosts a winter ski center and summer paragliding zones. Samsun Municipality promotes e-bikes and bicycles in its parks and maintains marked hiking trails. Adventure seekers can rock-climb in Şahinkaya or hike mountain routes.

Bird-Watching and Eco-Visits

A highlight of Samsun’s eco-tourism is the Kızılırmak Delta bird reserve, with its mix of fresh and saltwater fostering rich biodiversity along migratory routes. Visits are limited to eco-friendly transport—bicycles and electric vehicles—to minimize human impact. This system has boosted bird and wildlife numbers, especially in winter when large flocks of ducks and geese gather along the shores and marshes.

Conclusion

Rize and Samsun combine green natural wonders with mountain and river marvels. In Rize, visitors find the Kaçkar highlands and forests, waterfalls like Palovit and Gelin Tulu, and water activities in Fırtına Valley. In Samsun, the Kızılırmak Delta offers premier bird-watching, alongside Şahinkaya Canyon and the Nebiyan Mountains for climbing. Both regions provide diverse eco-tourism options—from camping and forest hikes to rafting and paragliding—revealing the enchanting landscapes of the Black Sea coast and offering ideal escapes for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.

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Exploring Eco-Tourism in Rize and Samsun on the Black Sea