The Kaçkar Mountains (Turkish: Kaçkar Dağları; Armenian: Քաջքար, Kajkar), also called the Lazistan Mountains or the Mountains of Khaghtik (Armenian: Խաղտեաց լեռներ), are a mountain range located near the Black Sea coast in northeastern Turkey. The highest point in the range is Kaçkar Dağı, which reaches an elevation of 3,937 meters (12,917 feet). The mountains also have plateaus that are about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) high. These mountains are part of the Pontic Mountains and are the highest section of that range. The Kaçkar Mountains have glaciers, steep rocky peaks, and many mountain lakes. In 1994, the area was made a national park. Activities in the park include hiking, camping, climbing, and skiing with helicopters. The region is home to many plants and animals, such as wolves, bears, wild boars, wild goats, deer, jackals, and wild chickens.
Etymology
The name Kaçkar comes from the Armenian word khachkar (Խաչքար), which means "cross stone." The name can refer to the entire mountain range, including many groups of mountains, or it can describe only the Kaçkar-Kavron group and its highest peak, or just the highest peak itself. The local name for the highest peak or its mountain group, Kaçkar Dağı, is called Kaçkar Mountain. The name for the whole range, Kaçkar Dağları, is called Kaçkar Mountains.
Geography
The Kaçkar Mountains are located near the Çoruh river valley to the south and east, and near the Black Sea coast to the north.
- Altıparmak group
- Kavron (or Kaçkar-Kavron)
- Verçenik group
Trekking
The Kaçkar Mountains are a popular place for hiking in Turkey. There are two main hiking paths. One path starts from the Black Sea side. This path is clear and easy to walk on. The other path starts from the Çoruh side. This path is harder and more dangerous. The Kaçkar Mountains have a lot of ice. Because of this, hikers need special tools like ice axes and crampons. The best time to hike is from June to September.