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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The breathtaking road to Kaz Dağı (Mount Ida)
Kaz Dağı (Mount Ida) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.746m (5,728ft) above the sea level, located in the district of Edremit, in Balikesir (Balıkesir) province, in northwestern Turkey.
Tendurek Geçidi
Tendurek Geçidi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.602m (8,536ft) above the sea level, located in eastern Turkey's Van Province. It’s one of the highest paved roads of the country.
Çirmaniman Yaylası
Çirmaniman Yaylası is a high mountain town at an elevation of 2.954m (9,691ft) above the sea level, located in Rize Province in the eastern part of the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Yedigöller
Yedigöller is a serie of seven glacial lakes at an elevation of 3.173m (10,410ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Kırkamber Tepesi
Kırkamber Tepesi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.238m (10,623ft) above the sea level, located in Van Province, Turkey, It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Akçaağıl Gölü
Akçaağıl Gölü is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 3.107m (10,193ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Rize and Bayburt provinces of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Büyükejder Tepesi: this road is not for timid drivers
Büyükejder Tepesi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.155m (10,351ft) above the sea level, located in the eastern province of Erzurum, in the east of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
A 4x4 road to Kirklar Mescidi on the summit of Soganli Daglari
Kirklar Mescidi is a high mountain mosque at an elevation of 3.161m (10,370ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Trabzon and Bayburt provinces, in Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Road D975
D975 is a high mountain road located in eastern Turkey's Van Province. Its highest elevation is at 2.602m (8,536ft) above the sea level climbing up to Tendurek Geçidi.
Köse Dağ
Köse Dağ is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.804m (9,199ft) above the sea level, located in Sivas Province of Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Avrasya Tuneli, built underneath the seabed of Bosphorus
Located in Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, Eurasia Tunnel links Kazlıçeşme (on the European side) and Göztepe (on the Asian side of the city). The tunnel was built underneath the seabed of Bosphorus and contributes to the solution of the traffic problem between the two continents.
The breathtaking road to Kuskunkıran Geçidi
Kuskunkıran Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.245m (7,365ft) above the sea level, located in eastern Turkey's Van Province.