Artvin is a compact province, and almost everything worth seeing is within a day’s drive of the city. The attractions spread in every direction: a highland plateau above town, a forested valley close by, mountain lakes in the districts, and the gorge country of the Çoruh River beyond. Because the roads wind through the mountains, the journeys themselves are part of the pleasure. This guide lays out the best day trips from Artvin and how to plan them.
Planning Day Trips from Artvin
The distances in Artvin are short in kilometers but slow in driving time. The mountain roads curve along valleys and over passes, and a place that looks close on the map may take an hour and a half to reach. Plan for one main destination per day, with a stop or two on the way, and you will see the province without rushing.
A car is the key to the region. Public buses and minibuses connect the towns, but the lakes, valleys, and remote sites are far easier by car, and the freedom to stop for views is part of the pleasure. Fuel up in the city, carry water and snacks, and check the weather before heading into the highlands.
Seasons matter. Summer is the easiest time, with the highland roads open and the days long. Spring brings full rivers and green valleys, autumn gives clear air and golden light, and winter is for those who love snow, with the caveat that some roads close in heavy weather.
Kafkasör Plateau: The Highland Above the City
The easiest day trip from Artvin is also one of the best. A short drive above the city, the Kafkasör plateau spreads its green meadows and pine forest across a high shelf of mountain, with the city and the Çoruh valley far below. It is where Artvin goes for fresh air, and you should go too.
The plateau offers easy walking, tea gardens, and picnic spots, and the views over the mountain ridges are superb. In early summer, the annual festival brings bull wrestling, music, and crowds to the meadow, and it is one of the great cultural events of the northeast. Outside festival days, the plateau is calm and family-friendly.
A half-day is enough for Kafkasör, which makes it the perfect first outing after arrival. Go in the morning for the clearest views, or in the evening for the light, and combine it with the castle and the city sights for a full day.
Hatila Valley: Forest and Waterfalls
Cutting deep into the mountains west of the city, the Hatila Valley is a national park of dense forest, rushing streams, and steep green walls. A road follows the valley upward, past waterfalls and wild country, and the whole excursion has the feeling of a journey into an untouched world.
The valley is made for walking. Trails follow the river and climb the slopes through tall forest, with the sound of water and the calls of birds as company. The shade keeps the valley cool on warm days, and the light through the trees is beautiful in the morning hours.
Hatila is close enough for a comfortable half-day, and it pairs well with the city’s sights. Bring shoes for wet ground, take your time on the trails, and let the valley set its own pace. It is the closest taste of wilderness to Artvin’s door.
Borçka Karagöl: The Lake in the Forest
East of the city, in the forested district of Borçka, the mountain lake of Karagöl lies in a bowl of steep, wooded slopes. Formed when a landslide dammed a mountain stream, the lake is dark and still, its surface a mirror for the surrounding ridges, and it is one of the most beautiful places in the province.
A road brings you to the shore, and a path circles the water, so you can walk as little or as much as you like. The lake is cold even in summer, but the setting is the attraction: quiet, green, and seemingly far from everything, with the high peaks of the region rising around it.
Go early in the day, when the water is calm and the morning light is soft, and bring a picnic to enjoy by the shore. The drive through the forests of the Borçka valley is lovely in itself, and the lake makes a perfect full-day excursion.
Şavşat and the Karagöl-Sahara National Park
Farther inland, the district of Şavşat holds a second Karagöl, this one inside the national park that also protects the wide highland of Sahara. The glacial lake sits in a high basin, while Sahara spreads its rolling pastures and pine stands around it, and the whole park is the summer home of the yayla herds.
The park is the best place in the province to see the highland life. In the warm months, the pastures fill with cattle and their herders, the simple houses of the highland settlements open, and the air carries the sound of bells. It is pastoral Turkey at its most authentic.
Walking and picnicking are the main activities, with trails linking the lake, the meadows, and the viewpoints. The drive from Artvin is long enough to make this a full day, but the highland air and the open views make the journey worthwhile.
The Macahel Valley: Honey and Forest
The valley of Macahel, known officially as Camili, is one of the most remote and beautiful corners of the province. Tucked between high ridges above Borçka, it is a protected biosphere reserve of dense forest, home to the Caucasian grey bee and the honey that has made the valley famous across Turkey.
The road to Macahel is an adventure in itself, winding through forest and over the mountains before dropping into the valley’s green bowl. Villages, streams, and fields lie between the ridges, and the valley’s beekeepers are proud to show their work and their honey.
A day in Macahel is a day of forest, honey, and quiet. The valley is one of the longer trips from the city, so start early, and combine the drive with stops in the Borçka country on the way back. It is the closest thing to a hidden world that Artvin offers.
The Çoruh River: Rafting and the Gorge
The Çoruh River is the backbone of Artvin, and a day spent on or beside it is a day at the heart of the province. The river cuts through deep gorges on its way toward the Black Sea, and its fast water has made it one of Turkey’s great rafting rivers.
Guided rafting trips run on the gentler and more exciting stretches alike, with experienced crews and all the equipment provided. For those who prefer dry land, the roads that follow the valley give endless views of the gorge, the cliffs, and the villages perched above the water.
A river day is best planned in summer, when the water is at its most manageable. Whether you paddle or watch from the shore, the Çoruh shows you the force that shaped this landscape, and it is an experience that belongs on any Artvin itinerary.
Historic Churches: The Georgian Heritage
Before this region became part of Turkey, it was a center of the medieval Georgian kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti, and the province is scattered with churches and monasteries from that era. They stand in forest clearings and on valley slopes, their stone carved with a craftsmanship that has survived the centuries.
The church at İşhan is the best known, rising above the valley with its dome and carved facades, and the ruins of the Dört Kilise, the Four Churches, lie in the countryside of the province. Reaching them takes narrow roads and short walks, but the solitude and the setting make the effort worthwhile.
These sites suit travelers with an interest in history and architecture, and they offer a side of Artvin that few visitors see. Give one of them a day, combine it with a valley drive, and you will carry away images that last.
Toward the Border: Hopa and the Black Sea Coast
A different kind of day trip leads north from Artvin, over the mountains to the Black Sea coast and the town of Hopa. The road drops from the high valleys to the subtropical green of the coast, and the change in landscape is one of the most dramatic in the region.
Hopa is a working port with a lively market and a strong Laz character, and the coast around it is lined with tea gardens, small beaches, and the green hills of the tea country. The border with Georgia lies a short distance beyond, and the coast road offers views across the frontier.
A coastal day gives you the sea, the tea, and the market life that contrast completely with the mountain world of Artvin. It is the longest of the day trips, so allow a full day and drive carefully, but the variety is the reward.
Frequently asked questions
How far are the day trips from Artvin?
The closest trips, to the Kafkasör plateau and the Hatila Valley, take less than an hour of driving from the city. The lakes of Borçka and Şavşat are about an hour and a half to two hours away, and the Macahel valley and the coastal route to Hopa need the better part of the day. Because the roads wind through the mountains, journeys are slower than the map suggests, so plan for one main destination per day.
Can I visit Georgia on a day trip?
The Georgian border is close to Artvin, with crossings in the region, and a day trip across it is possible for travelers with the right documents. The nearest coastal crossing is beyond Hopa, and the roads on the Georgian side lead to the coastal cities of the region. Check the current entry rules and carry your passport and paperwork, and plan for border formalities to take time. For most visitors, the inland sites of Artvin make a simpler and richer day.
What should I pack for a day trip?
Pack for mountain weather, which can change quickly. Layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy shoes are the essentials, along with water, snacks, and a little cash, since some villages and sites have no services. Sun protection is useful at altitude, and a towel is worth carrying for the lakes in summer. A camera is essential, and a paper map or an offline map on your phone will help on the winding roads where the signal fades.
All Over Information
The All Over Information editorial team researches and writes practical English-language guides to Turkey. Facts are checked against official and local sources before publication, prices are published as dated ranges rather than quotes, and guides are revised when things change. We accept no sponsored posts, paid placements or paid links.
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