What are the most spectacular roads in Turkey?

Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey is one of the most exciting countries in the world to drive, and a must on any driver’s list. First on the list must be the challenging D915 (Bayburt-Of) Road. It stands as one of the world's most challenging roads, nestled between the Black Sea and the Northeast Anatolia regions. This road is for experts only.

Covering an area of 783,356 square kilometers and sharing borders with eight countries, Turkey is home to about 200 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world. For the bravest drivers, the dangerous Kemaliye Stone Road above the Euphrates River is one of the most extreme roads in the world. This handmade road is for drivers with strong nerves only, with drops of hundreds of meters, unprotected by guardrails, and 38 unlit tunnels. The construction of the road started in 1870 and was finished in 2002. The road to Kus Yuvasi Pass will take your breath away. At 1,388m (4,553ft) above sea level, the pass is located in the Mediterranean Region of the country.

The Karabet Geçidi, at 2,994m (9,822ft) above sea level in Van Province, is one of Europe's highest paved roads, offering panoramic views. If the previous roads are not enough, the country is home to Gök Dağ, one of the highest roads in Europe, climbing up to 3,417m (11,210ft) above sea level. There are many construction companies established in Turkey that worked for building the new, better roads that attract many tourists each year.

İkizkaya Tepesi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.726m (8,943ft) above the sea level, located in Artvin Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey.

Located in the Erzurum Province of Eastern Anatolia, the ascent to Kavakdağı Tepesi is a high-altitude technical challenge that rewards the driver with a summit reaching 2,428 meters (7,965 ft). While the distance from the main D925 road is relatively short, the environment is unforgiving. This is a military-grade gravel track where the thin air and steep gradients demand a high-torque 4x4 vehicle. Navigating these roads requires constant monitoring of the terrain, as the lack of pavement and the exposure to extreme Anatolian weather conditions turn this short climb into a high-stakes logistical operation. Precision steering is mandatory to manage the loose surface and the sharp elevation changes near the peak.

Mihaliç Tepe is an extinct volcano at an elevation of 2.238m (7,342ft) above the sea level, located in Karaman Province, in Central Anatolia, Turkey.

Numanpaşa is a high mountain town at an elevation of 1.573m (5,160ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The average gradient is 9.71%.

TRT Vericisi İstasyonu is a communication tower at an elevation of 2.063m (6,768ft) above the sea level, located in Çankırı Province, in Turkey.

Bulgurlu Dağı is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.905m (9,530ft) above sea level, located in Van province of Turkey. 

Tersun Gecidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.095m (6,873ft) above the sea level, located in the Gümüşhane Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey.

Samdi Dağı is a high mountain peak located in the Hakkâri Province of Turkey. A military road, to the east of the summit, tops out at 3,400m (11,154ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. 

Gij Gij Tepesi is a mountain peak at an elevation of 902m (2,962ft) above the sea level, located in Tokat Province of Turkey in the mid-Black Sea region of Anatolia.

Camiboğazı Yaylası is a high mountain plateau located on the boundary of Gümüşhane and Trabzon provinces, in the East Black Sea region of Turkey.

Singer Dağı is a high mountain pass at 2,843m (9,327ft) above sea level, located in the rugged mountains of Eastern Turkey. Tucked away on the border between Bitlis and Van, this is one of those remote tracks where you won’t see another soul for miles.

Güresentepe Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.136m (7,007ft) above the sea level, located in Niğde Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey.

Palovit Selalesi is a waterfall located in Rize Province, in northeast Turkey, on the eastern Black Sea coast. The road is narrow and steep.

Bakirlitepe Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.462m (8,077ft) above the sea level, located in Saklikent region of Antalya province which is located on the Mediterranian coast of Turkey.

Mount Davraz (Davraz Tepe) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.371m (7,778ft) above the sea level, located in Isparta Province, in southwestern Turkey.

D883 is a high mountain road located in the Gümüşhane Province of the Black Sea region of Turkey.

Medetsiz is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.488m (8,162ft) above the sea level, located in Mersin province in southern Turkey.

Karaman Bey Gecidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.937m (6,354ft) above the sea level, located in the Karaman Province of the West Anatolia region, Turkey.

Yedigöller Yolu (Seven Lakes Road) is located in Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey and winds through the Yedigöller National Park.

Abdal Boğan Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.750m (5,741ft) above the sea level, located in Sivas Province at the eastern part of the Central Anatolia region of Turkey.

Belpınarı Beli is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.893m (6,210ft) above the sea level, located in Konya Province in the West Anatolia region of Turkey.

Kosedagi Gecidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.960 m (6,430 ft) above sea level, located in Gümüşhane Province of Turkey.

Mount Yama (Yama Dağı) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.673m (8,769ft) above the sea level located on the Malatya and Sivas provincial borders, in Turkey.

Located on the boundary of Vitlis and Van provinces of Turkey, the road from Soğuksu to Cevizlibelen is a very challenging drive.

Sakaltutan Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,212m (7,257ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Ardahan and Kars provinces, in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey.

Özlükent is a small town located in Ordu Province on the Black Sea coast, of Turkey. The hairy road to the town is brutal, with 18 sharp hairpin turns and dangerous drop offs.

Yıldız Gölü is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.979m (9,773ft) above sea level, located in Bayburt province, in the Northeast Anatolia region of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Kilise Tepe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.669m (8,756ft) above the sea level, located in the District of Yusufeli, Artvin Province, Turkey.

Erimez Tepesi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.687m (8,815ft) above the sea level, located in Giresun Province in the Black Sea Region of northeastern Turkey.

Macahel Gecidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.821m (5,974ft) above the sea level, located in Artvin Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey.

Karagöller lakes are 4 small mountain lakes at an elevation of 2.972m (9,750ft) above sea level, located in Artvin Province, in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Located near Istanbul, in Turkey, the Çatalca Tunnels are a pair of highway tunnels that witnessed the first airplane flight through a tunnel.

Turkey is a strategic bridge between Europe and Asia, offering some of the most advanced road infrastructure in the region. From the complex urban grid of Istanbul to the winding coastal roads of Bodrum and Antalya, driving in Turkey requires a professional approach to navigation and local traffic laws. For travelers and investors moving between these hubs, understanding the logistics of the Turkish road network is essential for a safe and efficient journey. This guide analyzes the key routes and driving conditions in Turkey’s primary regions.

Düldül Dağı is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,215m (7,267ft) above sea level, located in the Düziçi district of Osmaniye province, in Turkey.

Nebırnav Yaylası is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3,078m (10,098ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the provinces of Hakkâri and Van, in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. At this elevation, it’s one of the highest roads in the country.

State Road D950 is a major north-south route in eastern Turkey, connecting the Black Sea to the Syrian border. The road passes through mountainous terrain, high-altitude passes, and busy transport corridors, making it an important but challenging drive.

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