The road inland from Trabzon winds through spectacular mountain landscape before reaching the Zigana Tunnel, the longest in Turkey. Nearby Hamsiköy is a charming mountain village, that has gained a national reputation for its excellent cuisine (including the best rice pudding), and is also conveniently near the Zigana Ski Center.
Altindere National Park provides a magnificent setting for the 14th century Sümela Monastery, perched high on a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge. Surrounded by the ruins of the monks' quarters, is a church covered inside and out with brilliant frescoes. Southeast of Trabzon is lake Uzungöl, a lovely alpine lake surrounded by mountains and meadows, excellent for camping, hiking and fishing. The restaurants there also make it the best place for eating river trout.
Gümüshane (88 km east of Trabzon), on the ancient trade route between Trabzon and Iran was once of considerable importance.
Bayburt (77 km from Gümüshane), is situated on the banks of the Çoruh River and lies on what was once known as the Silk Road. Marco Polo and the inveterate Turkish traveller Evliya Çelebi both passed through this city. The remains of a Byzantine castle, as well as major mosques, Turkish baths and fascinating carved tombstones are among the significant sites.
Rize (75 km east of Trabzon) is built on a mountain slope covered with tea bushes that look like puffy green pillows. Be sure to see this typical Black Sea city's 16th-century Islam Pasa Mosque and the remains of a Genoese castle. During the Summer Tea Festival you can purchase the best blend of Black Sea tea.
Turning inland after Ardesen off the road going east from Rize, you come to the beautiful little town of Çamlihemsin straddling a rushing stream. Nearby is the Firtina Vadisi (Valley of Storms) - ideal for canoeing, and the beautiful Zir Castle, and stone bridges from Byzantine times. After walking around Ayder's rolling meadows, you can relax in one of the many hot springs.
Hopa, an attractive town at the foot of a forested mountain, is the last port before the Turkish-Georgian border. The international boundary actually divides the village of Sarp. 27 km northeast of the town of Borçka on the way to Artvin there is the wonderful alpine lake of Karagöl, with various pine trees, as well as other flora and fauna.
Both Mediterranean and Black Sea flora flourish together in the park along with bears, deer, wolves, foxes and eagles. Special houses on top of wooden stilts are home to the park bees who produce the famous regional honey.
A winding drive midway up a mountainside takes you to Artvin, the capital of the province. At the foot of the escarpment, a ruined 16th-century castle crowns a rocky outcrop. Artvin is a charming city with beautiful old Turkish houses, typical of the region. The area's mild climate makes summer visits delightfully refreshing and every June, crowds of tourists, as well as brightly-clad locals, throng to the Kafkasör festival, where the spectacle of fighting bulls highlights the celebration.
55 km east of Artvin is savsat, an alpine village surrounded by meadows of wild flowers and butterflies, rushing streams and quaint chalets. The local womens' organisation has established a training center for weaving in an attempt to keep the indigenous carpet and kilim traditions alive. Karagöl - Sahara National Park, 17 km from savsat on the way to Ardahan, has one of the most beautiful Karagöl alpine lakes as well as the widely-known Sahara plateau. . Generally, in all the national parks you can see wonderful examples of birds and butterflies.