Day Trips from Trabzon: Sumela, Uzungöl, Rize and Ayder Plateau

Trabzon sits at the western edge of what is arguably Turkey’s most dramatic mountain and forest landscape — the eastern Black Sea ranges, where valleys drop sharply from alpine plateaux to sea level, ancient monasteries cling to cliff faces, and tea gardens climb every available slope. The city itself has significant sites (Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, Atatürk’s Villa, the bazaar), but the surrounding region within 120km is where the landscape becomes genuinely extraordinary. These are the best day trips from Trabzon for anyone wanting to see the Black Sea interior.

Sumela Monastery (45km, 50 minutes)

The Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Sumela (Sümela Manastırı) is one of the most visually striking religious sites in Turkey — a Greek Orthodox monastery founded in the 4th century CE, built directly into a sheer cliff face some 1,000 metres above the Altındere valley floor. The founding is traditionally attributed to two Athenian monks, Barnabas and Sophronios, who established a hermitage here around 386 CE. Over subsequent centuries it grew into a major monastic complex patronised by Byzantine emperors, Pontic kings, and later Ottoman sultans. The monastery was abandoned in 1923 as part of the population exchange and the frescoes — which date from the 13th through 19th centuries — were subsequently damaged, but extensive restoration work has been ongoing and much is visible.

Getting there: By car, drive south from Trabzon on the Maçka valley road (D885) for 45km — approximately 50 minutes. The road follows the Değirmendere river through dense forest. The monastery car park is at the valley floor; a 30-minute uphill walk or the shuttle service (when operating) takes visitors to the monastery entrance. By dolmuş, take a Maçka-bound minibus from Trabzon’s otogar (approximately ₺20–30) then a local taxi or minibus up the valley (approximately ₺60–100 return).

Entry: Approximately ₺200 as of 2026. The site is managed by the Culture Ministry; opening hours are generally 9am–5pm (verify current hours before visiting).

What to see: The rock-cut chapel contains the most intact frescoes — a Last Judgement composition on the south wall and a series of New Testament scenes. The terraced courtyard, kitchen, and monks’ cells are largely intact. The view from the monastery terrace down the valley is the other reason to make the trip.

Tips: Visit on a weekday if possible — weekend visitor numbers are high and the approach walk becomes crowded. Morning visits (before 11am) catch the best light on the cliff face.

Uzungöl (100km, 1.5 hours)

Uzungöl (Long Lake) is a glacial lake village in the mountains south of Trabzon, at approximately 1,100 metres elevation — a genuinely beautiful setting with the lake backed by steep forested ridges and the village mosque reflected in the water. It has become one of Turkey’s most photographed landscape images and is extremely popular with domestic tourists (particularly visitors from the Gulf states in summer). The crowds, especially on weekends in July and August, are real, but the landscape justifies the visit if timed well.

Getting there: Drive east from Trabzon on the coastal road to Çaykaralı, then south on the valley road to Uzungöl — 100km, approximately 1.5 hours. Dolmuş services run from Trabzon’s Çarşı terminal to Uzungöl several times daily (₺60–80 one way, 1.5–2 hours; check current schedules at the terminal). Some services are direct; others require a change at Çaykara.

What to do: The lake circuit walk (approximately 4km around the lake perimeter) takes about 1.5 hours and gives views from multiple angles. The eastern shore is less developed. The Uzungöl Nature Walk continues into the forest above the lake. Horse trekking into the surrounding highlands is available from local operators (approximately ₺150–300/hour as of 2026).

Eating: Kuymak (a Black Sea dish of cornmeal with butter and local cheese, similar to fondue), hamsi (anchovies), and Black Sea cornbread are available at restaurants around the lake. Expect ₺150–250 for a full meal. The quality varies; restaurants on the western shore are generally better.

Best time: May–June and September for lower crowds and the best light. Avoid summer weekends if at all possible — the road backs up and the village is at capacity.

Rize Tea Gardens (75km, 1 hour)

Rize is the capital of Turkey’s tea industry — virtually all çay (Turkish tea) consumed across the country comes from the steep hillside gardens of Rize province. The town itself is unremarkable, but the tea gardens climbing the hillsides above the coast, the Rize Tea Garden (a public garden in the city with varieties of tea plants), and the Çaykur tea factory (Turkey’s largest state tea enterprise, based here) provide genuine context for the crop that defines Turkish social life. This is less a tourist attraction than a working agricultural landscape, which is part of its appeal.

Getting there: Drive east on the D010 coastal road from Trabzon to Rize — 75km, approximately 1 hour. Buses run frequently from Trabzon’s otogar (approximately ₺40–60 one way, 1–1.5 hours). Rize has its own small bus terminal centrally located.

What to see: The Rize Tea Garden (free entry) on the hillside above the town centre has labelled tea varieties and good views over the bay. The Çaykur factory in town offers tours during production season (April–October) — call ahead as availability varies. Zil Kale (a medieval castle) is 20km east of Rize near the village of Çayeli and can be added to a Rize visit (free entry, short drive off the main road).

Eating: Tea is everywhere and invariably fresh in Rize — the local hamsi and corn dishes are the same as Trabzon. The Thursday market in the town centre brings in produce from surrounding villages.

Combined with Ayder: Rize is on the route to Ayder Plateau — combining both in a single day is possible with an early start, though Ayder alone is a full day trip from Trabzon.

Ayder Plateau (115km, 2 hours)

Ayder (Ayder Yaylası) is a high-altitude meadow plateau at approximately 1,350 metres elevation in the Kaçkar Mountains — the most accessible gateway into the Kaçkar range, which offers some of Turkey’s best trekking above 2,000 metres. Ayder itself is a small village with wooden chalets, natural hot spring baths (kaplıca), and the beginning of several well-marked hiking trails. The setting — broad meadow, rushing stream, encircling peaks — is very fine in clear weather.

Getting there: Drive east on the coastal road to Pazar (east of Rize), then south on the valley road through Çamlıhemşin to Ayder — 115km from Trabzon, approximately 2 hours by car. Dolmuş services run from Pazar to Ayder (approximately ₺50–80); reaching Pazar from Trabzon requires a bus or dolmuş to Pazar’s otogar (approximately ₺50–70, 1.5 hours). The easiest approach for a day trip is by car.

What to do: The hot spring baths (kaplıca) in Ayder village offer thermal bathing at approximately 56°C — several establishments operate public baths (approximately ₺80–150/session as of 2026). The valley walk from Ayder along the Fırtına Çayı (Storm River) is straightforward and rewarding. Longer hikes toward the Kaçkar peaks (Kaçkar Dağı, 3,932m) require at least one overnight; guided trekking is available from agencies in Ayder village and in Çamlıhemşin below.

Accommodation: If the 2-hour drive each way feels too much for a single day, Ayder has several wooden chalet hotels — staying overnight allows a morning hike before the day-trippers arrive. Expect ₺800–2,000 per room as of 2026.

Best time: June–October when the road is fully clear of snow. The meadows are at their best in late June and early July when wildflowers are in bloom. Avoid the Kurban Bayramı and Eid holiday periods when Ayder becomes extremely crowded.

Practical Tips

Transport hub: Trabzon’s otogar (intercity bus terminal) and the separate Çarşı dolmuş terminal (for local and regional minibuses) cover different routes — confirm which terminal your service departs from.

Road conditions: The mountain roads to Sumela, Uzungöl, and Ayder are well-maintained but winding and steep. Allow extra time in wet weather and be particularly careful on the Ayder valley road in early spring (rockfall risk until May).

Combining destinations: Rize and Ayder pair well (Rize on the way, Ayder as the main destination). Sumela works as a standalone half-day or combined with an afternoon in Trabzon city. Uzungöl is best as a standalone day trip.

Guided tours: Several Trabzon-based tour operators offer day trips combining two or three of these destinations. A minibus day tour to Sumela and Uzungöl typically costs ₺300–500 per person and removes the need for a rental car. Ask at your hotel or at the Trabzon tourism office (near the main square).

For more on the city itself, see the full Trabzon travel guide.

Booking trips: Browse tours and activities in Trabzon for guided day trips with free cancellation on advance bookings. For independent exploration, compare car hire options — a rental gives you full flexibility on timing and stops.