Artvin Travel Guide

Artvin is located on the eastern corner of the Turkish  Black Sea,  100 km south of the coast line. The way to get there is fly to Trabzon first and follow to coast line to Hopa and than  turn south.  The city is located on a big hill, all the roads make big bends to reach the city at the top, the elevation is more than 1000m and the view is excellent over looking the  Çoruh  River and the Georgian Border.   When you are in the area make sure to visit  Kafkasören Yaylasi (Platue) north of the city. Çoruh is the wildest river in Turkey,  the current is more 20km/hr  in some places, located south of the city.  It is like  Colorada River in the States where one can make rafting trip  in the summer time.  The rafting can be done along the 260km long course. This river flows to  Georgia and meets the Black Sea at Batumi. Two big dams are  operational one is being constucted over the river by the Turkish States Water Works Department .  10  more dams are being planned  on the river. If you travel  SW  of the area go to Yusufeli where there are lots of  old churches in the area. Even you can go to Kaçkar Mountain, first go to Barhal and than hike to Kaçkar but only in the summer time and  remember you need a tour guide to lead your way.

Another best place to  visit is Karagöl, 25 km NE of  Borçka.  It is best  place to stay in the thick forests  during summer times  (June-October) where  a pansion  serves  good and inexpensvie accomidation also camping is available. Please see the pictures that I took for Karagöl.. While in the area it is worth while to  driver to Camili near  the Georgian Border and enjoy the  thick forests.