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PLATEAUS |
THE PLATEAUS IN TURKEY
With the first warm days of spring, in villages
all over Turkey, families begin to think about
moving to their summer residences on the cool
summer pastures called yaylas. The yayla, or
meadow, high in the mountains, provides a
different pace of life during the hot months and
insures sufficient grazing for the herds of
sheep, goats and cattle. The migration from
winter village to summer encampment is a legacy
from the days when Anatolia was populated by
nomadic and semi-nomadic people. Although the
yayla's importance as a refuge from mosquitoes
and malaria is no longer relevant, the annual
migration still secures new food sources for the
animals, and offers villagers relief from the
sweltering heat of the lowlands and coastal
areas.
Everything required for the summer must be
carried to the yayla and this make enthusiastic
and exhaustive preparations necessary. Clothes,
tents, furniture, cooking equipment and bedding
are all packed and loaded into cars and trucks
for the long drive to the often remote location.
Herds of cattle, sheep and goats make the slow
trek on foot guided by boys and young men.
Season after season, each village moves to its
own particular pasture land.
After reaching the yayla the convoys disperse,
with the families setting up their own tents. In
some areas, in the Black Sea Region for
instance, the summer settlements are made of
permanent structures with each family moving
into their own wooden chalet year after year.
Once everything has been arranged, the villagers
adapt quickly to the different pace of life
during summer in the yayla.
The whole family wakes up at first light. The
men early with the herds, while the women attend
to such domestic chores as preparing meals,
making cheese and gathering plants for dyeing
wool. The children help out in all the
activities on the yayla. After the women have
milked the animals, it is time to turn the milk
into yogurt and butter.
When the men and boys return in the afternoon,
the families gather to enjoy their main meal,
often comprised of hot cracked-wheat based
dishes accompanied by ayran, a delicious drink
of salted yogurt diluted with water, as they
relate the day's activities. In the evenings the
yayla comes to life in spontaneous gathering to
sing traditional songs, enjoy folk music and
dance, and recount hilarious jokes and long
stories. The attraction of the quality of life
on the yayla is so rooted in village life, that
even those who do not earn their living from
farming make the yearly pilgrimage.
Today, the encroachment of modern life on the
yaylas is carefully monitored so that the
essential character of this way of life is
preserved. The permanent housing, that is
gradually replacing the black goat hair tents,
is designed to blend in harmoniously with the
natural environment, while offering the
conveniences of modern life. In some yaylas
louses with kitchens, toilets, water and
electricity stand next to a wide expanse of
black tents. The arrival of shops stocked with
provisions and other necessities means that it
is no longer necessary to bring all the food
stuff from town. The construction of new roads
makes the journey to these remote locations much
shorter and less arduous than in former days.
Indeed, public transportation services are
available on some of the more accessible summer
plateaux.
Time spent on the yayla is particularly suited
to a holiday of relaxation and the enjoyment of
nature. You wake up each morning startled at the
tranquility and heart-stopping splendor of the
surrounding landscapes. Whatever your interest -
butterflies, wild flowers, birds or other
animals - leisurely walks in the rolling meadows
and through the pine forests will provide a
welcome change from city life. In surroundings
free from the harsh glare of urban lights, night
watching and star-gazing take on new meaning.
For those who want a more active holiday than
strolling through tranquil pastures and
capturing magnificent views on camera, the
yaylas can offer more energetic activities. You
could try grass skiing on the vast meadows,
trekking or mountain-climbing. In some areas
white-water rafting is possible.
After exerting yourself to the desired degree,
you can enjoy the simple but exquisite fare of
yayla meals. Fresh milk, cheese, honey, butter,
bread, hot yogurt soup, nourishing stews and
wheat dishes satisfy even the most sophisticated
palate. In the evening you too can settle down
to the community and friendship of an open fire,
songs and long tales. |
BLACK SEA REGION
The Black Sea Region offers a wealth of summer
encampments in the lush mountains which ring the
coast and is a superb destination for those
interested in the extraordinary variety of
wildlife in Turkey. It is almost commonplace to
see eagles, falcons, hawks, woodcocks, weasels,
rabbits, squirrels, pine martens, wild goats,
mountain goats, foxes and even wolves, wild
boars and bears. Naturalists will be impressed
with the diversity of vegetation: fir, spruce,
cedar, beech, oak, lime, hazelnut as well as
other species forest the mountainsides.
The Yaylas of Sinop
The Guzfindik-Bozarmut Yayla lies 35 km
southwest of the village of Yenikent at an
altitude of 1350 meters. A dirt road from the
coast leads you up to the idyllic plateau.
Arrangements can be made for one of the vehicles
at Gerze which transport villagers to the remote
summer camps.
Good asphalt roads make the journey to the
Türkeli Kurugöl Yayla a pleasant one. In the
Türkeli district at an altitude of 800 meters,
some degree of modern comfort has reached the
yayla with the arrival of electricity.
The Yaylas of Ordu
The Persembe Yayla, at 1350 meters, is 124 km
away from the coastal town of Ordu and can be
reached on asphalt roads. Conveniences include
electricity, PTT services as well as shops for
provisions. In July the summer residents host a
local fair with folk dancing, exhibitions and a
wrestling contest. This is a superb occasion to
sample the flavor of local customs.
Fifty-eight kilometers south of Ordu province,
at 1250 meters, the Çambasì Yayla provides the
visitor with shops, guest-houses and, in case of
emergency, mobile health care units. After
following a paved road for 21 km, you turn off
onto a dirt road for the final 37 kilometers.
Within the Igdir forest, 134 km from Ordu and 20
km from the town of Mesudiye, the Ordu-Keyfalan
Yayla lies at an altitude of 2000 meters, and
transportation is provided by dolmus (shared
taxi) in summer.
A shopping center run by the forest management
department ensures that visitors can obtain, in
this remote location, all the necessary
provisions. Electricity and a rest house with 12
beds are also available.
The Akkus Argin Yayla is also located in the
Ordu province.
The Yaylas of Giresun
The Bektas Yayla, 58 km away from Giresun and at
an altitude of 2000 meters, offers a two star
hotel as well as a shopping center.
In order to reach the Kümbet Yayla follow the 30
kilometer asphalt road to Dereli from where a
dirt road continues for 22 km. The yayla which
stretches across high pasture land at an
altitude of 1640 meters has a small lodge with
10 beds, shops and a health clinic. Every year
on the second Sunday in July, the villagers hold
their summer festivities.
Facilities for tourists are being prepared in
other nearby summer pastures including the
Yavuz-Kemal, the Sis Dagì, the Alucra town's
Anastos, the Yaglìdere town's Cakrak, the
Melikli valley and the Hanalanì yaylas.
The Yaylas of Trabzon
Lying at 1700 meters the Macka-Solma Yayla is 50
km from Trabzon and 22 km away from the town of
Macka. Commercial vehicles provide
transportation to this remarkable location.
Electricity, telephone and shops are all
available on the yayla.
Twenty-four kilometers south of Tonya, the
Erikbeli Yayla is situated at an altitude of
1800 meters. Commercial vehicles can take you to
the green pastures which are nestled in the
mountains that ring the Black Sea. Electricity,
telephone and shops ensure your comfort while
visiting.
To reach the Karadag Yayla follow the road
between Akçaabat on the Black Sea Coast and the
inland village of Düzköy for 12 km and then turn
west on a dirt road for 28 km. Transportation by
commercial vehicles is also available as are the
modern conveniences of electricity, telephone
and shops.
At 1250 meters in elevation, Çaykara-Uzungöl, a
small summer encampment 20 km from the town of
Çaykara, is known for its beautiful meadows and
magnificent landscapes. A pristine lake, in
which fish are farmed, lies surrounded by
verdant mountainside, and the are offers
excellent opportunities for trekking. Tourist
facilities include a modest lodge with 55 beds,
wooden bungalows, restaurants, electricity, PTT
services and a health clinic. Excursions to
Uzungöl by taxi can be arranged from Trabzon.
The following yaylas - Hidirnebi, Kuruçam,
Maçka-Mavura, Maçka-Çakirgöl, Kiraz, Lapazan,
Sazalani, Sis Dagi, Kadirga, Çatma Obasi, Düzköy
- are also found in this region and offer a
fascinating glimpse of traditional Black Sea
Region culture.
The Yaylas of Rize
The Ayder Yayla, 17 km from Çamlihemsin, rests
at an altitude of 1350 meters. Electricity, PTT
services, a health clinic, many pensions and
shops ensure a comfortable visit. The naturally
hot (50 C) waters of the local thermal spring
provide added relaxation, and cure various
diseases.
Twenty-two kilometers from Çamlihemsin at an
altitude of 2300 meters is the Yukari Kavron
Tourism Center.
The world famous Anzer honey, said to have
medicinal properties, comes from apiaries in the
meadows around the Anzer Tourism Center. Lying
76 km from the city of Rize at an altitude of
3000 meters, the area includes such modern
facilities as electricity, PTT services and
shops.
The Yaylas of Artvin
Artvin province offers those looking for
adventure and sport a wide variety of
activities. White-water rafting, hunting and
rock climbing are among the recreational
possibilities in this northeast corner of
Turkey.
Every year during the third week of June
tourists from all over the world as well as the
local inhabitants congregate at the Kafkasör
festival to watch bull fights, folklore displays
and wrestling competitions. Crowds of brightly
clad yayla residents thrill to watch pairs of
bulls battle each other in a show of strength.
At an altitude of 1560 meters, these summer
pastures lie nine kilometers from Artvin and can
be reached by bus from town. A well-established
tourist attraction, the tourism center offers
electricity, PTT services as well as 22
bungalows with 80 beds.
Fifty-three kilometers from Yusufeli at an
elevation of 3200 meters is the Yusufeli-Kaçkar
Tourism Center - Yaylalar Village. A narrow,
winding road leads to the village which boasts
electricity, PTT services and water as well as
overnight accommodation and shops. A nine
kilometer walk takes you to a wide expanse of
meadows and forests high in the Kaçkar
mountains. This is an ideal location for hunting
as well as mountain climbing and high plateau
tourism.
Those wishing to climb to the summit of Kaçkar
Mountain can replenish their supplies at the
Yaylalar village and hire mules to go up to the
3328 meter high Dilber Düzü. This camping site
offers the closest lodging to the summit. If you
wish to attempt an ascent, be sure you hire a
guide to lead you. Many wild animals such as
lynx, bear, ibex, wolf, fox and jackal can be
seen in the region.
The Ardanuç-Bilbilan, Sahara and Mersivan yaylas
in the Artvin province are planned to be opened
up for tourism.
The Gümüshane Yaylasì
On the road between Trabzon and Bayburt, 4 km
east of the Zigana Tunnel, the longest in
Turkey, is the Zigana Yayla. At an altitude of
2032 meters, the yayla is equipped with
lodgings, electricity, water and communication
system. In the winter the area boasts the Zigana
ski center.
Other yaylas in the province include Altintaslar
and Çam Piknik.
The Yaylas of Bayburt
Forty kilometers southeast of Bayburt on the
Askale road at an altitude of 2918 meters is the
Kop Mountain Yayla. Buses from Bayburt pass by
the yayla, but if you want to linger in the
clear cool summer breezes you should come
prepared with sleeping bags and provisions.
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THE MEDITERRANEAN
REGION
The Yaylas of Turkey's southern coast lie high
in the Taurus Mountains. Providing refuge from
the intense summer heat and ample grazing for
the domestic animals, these pastures and meadows
are rich in the variety of both vegetation and
wildlife.
The Yaylas of Antalya
The Finike-Ördübek Yayla lies at an altitude of
1100 meters and is reached after 41 km of forest
routes and six kilometers of mountain routes.
Although the yayla has a wealth of flora, it
lacks touristic infrastructure and visitors
should bring their own equipment and provisions.
The Serik-Nanali and Ovacik Yaylas, north of
Antalya, at 800-1000 meters in altitude, can be
reached by two different routes which both
combine asphalt surfaces, dirt roads and
trekking. There are not tourist facilities at
the elevated pasture lands but those who
accomplish the journey are well rewarded with a
splendid view.
The Antalya province also includes the Beskonak,
Selvenin Görde, Dereköy, Dönme, Üçoluk, Pisar,
Ibradi yaylas.
The Yaylas of Içel
The Mersin-Gözne Yayla, only 28 km from the
provincial capital, has facilities which include
a health clinic, electricity, water and shops,
as well as lodging rooms.
Similarly, the Mersin-Mihrican Yayla, which lies
50 km from Mersin provides the same full range
of conveniences.
Fifty kilometers along the road from Mersin to
Konya, at an altitude of 1500 meters, the
Mut-Sertavul Yayla boasts a complete touristic
infrastructure.
The Namrun (Çamlìyayla)- Sebil Yayla at an
elevation of 1300 meters offers electricity,
water, shops and lodgings.
Other yaylas include the Tarsus-Gölek,
Mut-Kozlar, Mersin-Ayvagedigi, Mersin-Bekiralani,
Kas, Abanoz and Akpinar yaylas.
The Yaylas of Adana
The great agricultural plain surrounding Adana
is the breadbasket of Turkey, a fertile region
heavily cultivated with fields, gardens and
orchards. The intense summer heat, however,
makes it essential for farmers with sheep,
cattle and goats to move their herds to the
higher elevations for cool temperatures and
fresh grazings. Around 300 yaylas, of different
sizes, dot the mountain plateau in the region of
Adana, and here you can observe the traditional
summer migration as well as escape from the heat
of the Çukurova plain.
A good paved road stretches all the way to the
Tozan-Horzum Yayla, 22 km from the town of Kozan.
Fast developments in construction have given
this summer encampment a town-like aspect. It
has electricity, telephone and a health clinic
as well as fully stocked shops.
Only seven kilometers from Pozanti, the
Pozanti-Tekir Yayla lies just off the e-90
highway making it very accessible to tourists.
Organized bus excursions tour the area and most
of the infrastructure necessary for tourism has
been established. Projects are underway to
develop the are for mountain sports; economic
revitalization is also seen in the recently
established wild goat farm.
Both the Zorkun and Olukbasi Yaylas lie in the
area surrounding the town of Osmaniye. The
Olukbasi yayla is 16 km out of town and the
Zorkun lies 26 km southeast, and any type of
vehicle can provide the transportation. Both
yaylas are equipped with electricity and a
telephone service, and the Zorkun Yayla also
houses a health clinic. Well-tended and abundant
vegetable gardens provide a change of scene from
the tranquil beauty of the surrounding forest
and the numerous streams and natural springs.
The Feke-Indere Yayla lies high in the mountains
59 km from the town of Feke at an elevation of
1500 meters. A stabilized road leads you to the
encampment which is provided with electricity,
telephone and a health clinic.
The 27 km journey from Karaisali on a mostly
unpaved road takes you to the Karaisali-Kizildag
Yayla and the neighboring Ardiçolugu Yayla,
plateaux of splendid natural beauty. Electricity
and telephones are the modern conveniences
available.
Among the 300 yaylas in the province of Adana
are the Aladag-Agcakise, Baspinar, Bici-Kosurga,
Kadirli, Armutoglu, Tufanbeyli, Körebeli, Obruk,
Kozan-Çulluusagi village, Saimbeyli-Çatak,
Aladag village and Meydan yaylas.
The Yaylas of Hatay
An eight kilometer asphalt road from the town of
Belen brings you to the Güzel Yayla (Sogukoluk);
four kilometers farther is the Nergizlik Yayla.
Facilities important for visitors include
electricity, telephones and shops. Minibuses
travel the paved road that stretches from
Antakya to the Samandagi-Teknepinar Yayla where
electricity, telephones and shops are available
.
The Dörtyol-Çökek Yayla lies only eight
kilometers from the coastal town of Dörtyol on
the Gulf of Iskenderun. A stabilized road brings
you to the summer retreat which is furnished
with electricity, telephones and a water supply,
as well as shops.
Another stabilized road takes you to the
Dörtyol-Topaktas Yayla. 16 km from Dörtyol. This
provides an excellent base for trekking
excursions. Shops where one can buy provisions
for such excursions, as well as the modern
conveniences of electricity, telephone, and a
water supply are available.
The Yaylas of Gaziantep
Thirty kilometers from Gaziantep, the Sof
Mountain Yayla is reached via a stabilized road.
Although the yayla has electricity, water and
PTT |
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