What are the most spectacular roads in Turkey?
Nestled at the crossroads of civilizations, Turkey unfolds as a land of mesmerizing beauty and thrilling challenges for the road trip enthusiast. As you chart your course through its diverse terrains, the road itself narrates tales of empires, conquests, and nature's sublime artistry. The legendary D915, Bayburt-Of road, stands as a testament to this spirit of adventure. It's a drive that defies death, with precipitous drops, dizzying turns, and an aura that's palpably exhilarating.
Then, dare yourself to venture along the Kemaliye Stone Road. Carved into the mountains, its history spans over a century of relentless human effort. With harrowing drops, 38 unlit tunnels, and the sheer audacity of its construction, it speaks of mankind's indomitable will to conquer nature's hurdles. Such is the magic of Turkey, where every road is a journey through time. The Karabet Geçidi, standing tall among Europe's highest paved roads, offers panoramic views that seem to stretch across epochs. There were many construction companies established in Turkey that worked for building the new, better roads that attract many tourists each year.
Meanwhile, the road to Kuş Yuvası Pass weaves a spell of its own – where every twist and turn feels like a dance between the heavens and earth. Each of these routes, in its unique way, embodies Turkey's rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural wonder. So, buckle up and embark on a journey across Turkey’s roads, where each mile promises a tale, a thrill, and a memory to cherish.
Road trip guide: Conquering Mount Artos
Mount Artos (Artos Dağı) is a dormant volcano at an elevation of 3.225m (10,580ft) above the sea level, located in Van Province in eastern Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Mount Tendürek
Tendürek Dağı is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.928m (9,606ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Ağrı and Van provinces of eastern Turkey, close to the border with Iran. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The road to Honaz Dağı, a chillout in high mountains
Mount Honaz is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.519m (8,264ft) above the sea level, located in Denizli Province in the Aegean Region of southwestern Turkey. It’s one of the highest paved roads of the country.
A grueling road to Gül Tepe
Gül Tepe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.304m (10,839ft) above the sea level, located in the Ağrı Province of eastern Turkey, bordering the Van Province. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Karagöl Lake
Karagöl Dağı is a high mountain crater lake at an elevation of 2.620m (8,595ft) above the sea level, located in Giresun Province in the Black Sea Region of northeastern Turkey.
Kolsuz Geçidi, a paved road to the summit
Kolsuz pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.514m (4,967ft) above the sea level, located in Niğde Province, in Turkey 's Central Anatolia Region.
Baltaş Tepesi, a hairy high mountain unpaved road
Baltaş Tepesi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.047m (9,996ft) above the sea level, located in Rize Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Travel guide to the top of Marsis Mountain
Marsis Dağı is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.888m (9,475ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Rize and Artvin provines, in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Nemrut Dağı, a fabulous road if you don’t mind heights
Mount Nemrut is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.134m (7,001ft) above the sea level, located in southeastern Turkey. The drive up the top is fabulous if you don’t mind heights and windy roads!
An adventure road to Girdev Gölü
Girdev Lake is a seasonal lake located in the Muğla Province in the Aegean region of Turkey, at an elevation of 1.880m (6,167ft) above the sea level. The road to the lake doesn’t appear in most of the maps and is an adventure road. Expect an evil dirt track, big holes, large puddles and big stones that smash loudly into the chassis all the time.
If you love to drive, you’ll love the road to Ercİyes Ski Resort
Erciyes is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.220m (7,283ft) above the sea level, located in Kayseri Province, in central Anatolia, within the ancient region of Cappadocia, in Turkey.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Mount Köse
Köse Dağı is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.681m (8,795ft) above the sea level, located in the Ağrı Province of eastern Turkey.
Driving the road to Ardıçı Tepe is not a piece of cake
Ardıçı Tepe is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.633m (8,638ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province, in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.
Ziyaret Dağı: this road is not for timid drivers
Ziyaret Dağı is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.002m (9,849ft) above the sea level, located in Trabzon Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Danakıran Road is a drive you'll never forget
Danakıran Road is a high mountain road located in the Ağrı Province of eastern Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of the country climbing up to 2.961m (9,714ft) above the sea level.
Karagöl lake, a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure
Karagöl Gölü is a glacial lake at an elevation of 2.661m (8,730ft) above the sea level, located on the borderline of Niğde Province and Mersin Province, in southern Turkey.
A road with dangerous drop offs to Şekersu Yaylası
Şekersu Yaylası is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.497m (8,192ft) above the sea level, located in Trabzon Province, in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
Driving the wild Apivanak Yaylası
Apivanak Yaylası is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.523m (8,277ft) above the sea level, located in Rize Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
The road to Kışkılı Köyü isn’t an easy one
Kışkılı Köyü is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.587m (8,487ft) above the sea level, located in Bitlis Province, in eastern Turkey.
Road trip guide: Conquering Uzungöl Yaylaları
Uzungöl Yaylaları is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.674m (8,772ft) above the sea level, located in Trabzon Province, in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
Karakaya Hill
Karakaya Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.148m (10,328ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province, eastern Anatolia, in Turkey. The average gradient is 7.27%. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
A difficult road to Verçenik Yaylası, only for experienced drivers
Verçenik Yaylası is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.622m (8,602ft) above the sea level, located in Rize Province of northeast Turkey, on the eastern Black Sea coast.
Conquering the defiant Durnalu Yaylası
Durnalu Yaylası is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.625m (8,612ft) above the sea level, located in Trabzon Province, in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
Uzungöl Plateau
Uzungöl is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.087m (10,127ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Trabzon and Rize provinces, in Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Driving the road from Hayrangöl to Çetinsu is not a piece of cake
The Hayrangöl-Çetinsu Yolu is a high mountain road located in the Ağrı Province, in eastern Turkey.
Köyceğiz Geçidi, an absolute must for road lovers
Köyceğiz Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.301m (7,549ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province, in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey.
Doğu Anadolu Gözlemevi
Doğu Anadolu Gözlemevi (Eastern Anatolia Observatory) is a ground-based astronomical observatory at an elevation of 3.139m (10,298ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province, eastern Anatolia, in Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Aygır Gölü
Aygır Gölü is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 2.763m (9064ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Trabzon and Bayburt provinces of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Muş Kulp Yolu is definitely not a Sunday drive
The Muş Kulp Yolu is the name of a very exciting road located in southeastern Turkey.
The Wild Road To Mount Nemrut Has It All
Mount Nemrut is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.779m (9,117ft) above the sea level, located in Bitlis Province in eastern Turkey.
What are the highest paved roads of Turkey?
Turkey is located in the Middle East, with territory in both Europe and Asia. A glance at a topographical map of Turkey reveals that this is a country of mountains.
Güzeldere Geçidi
Güzeldere Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.763m (9,064ft) above the sea level, located in Van Province, in south-eastern Turkey, near the Iranian border. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Morkaya Road is one of the most demanding drives in the world
Located in the District of Yusufeli, Artvin Province, in North-East Turkey, the road to Morkaya is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. This road has humbled many egos. It’s not for the sissies.
Aladaglar National Park roads
Established in 1995, Aladaglar National Park is a national park located within the borders of Niğde, south of Kayseri and Adana provinces in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The park has some of the highest roads of Europe.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Tahir Gediği
Tahir Gediği is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.022m (9,914ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province, eastern Anatolia of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Fasikan Geçidi
Fasikan Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.751m (5,744ft) above the sea level located in Karaman Province, in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.