Ayder Plateau — Rize’s Green Highland: How Far, What to Do, Where to Stay in the Cabins
Ayder is a plateau at about 1,350 m in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize, known for green meadows, waterfalls, natural hot springs and wooden cabins above the Fırtına valley. After Uzungöl it is the second stop for Gulf families on the Black Sea coast; Seen runs a full-day “Ayder and highlands” tour with car and driver, bookable on its own or added to the Trabzon package.
Quick facts
Things to do in Ayder
The hot springs (kaplıca)
Natural mineral water at about 50°C in separate indoor baths for men and women plus bookable family baths. A soak after a day on the highlands restores everyone.
Gelintülü waterfall
The “bridal veil” falls straight off the cliff above the plateau and is visible from the main street; the best photo spot is a few minutes’ walk from the cabins.
Fırtına valley and rafting
The Fırtına river cuts a green valley below the plateau with easy rafting stretches for families in summer, past old Ottoman stone bridges such as Şenyuva.
Zil castle (Zilkale)
A medieval castle on a rock above the valley, on the road up to Ayder. A short stop with a view worth the picture.
Kavrun and Huser highlands
Above Ayder, higher plateaus reached by jeep or on foot on a clear day: summer hamlets, cattle in the meadows and clouds at eye level.
Zipline and Hemşin restaurants
A zipline over the valley for the brave, and restaurants serving local Hemşin dishes: muhlama with cheese and cornmeal, pastries and mountain honey.
Where to stay in Ayder
Best time to visit
June to September is cool and fresh (12 to 22°C), the meadows are green and rafting runs. Rain is frequent in any month, so pack a raincoat. In winter the plateau is under snow; some cabins open for snow lovers, but the road can close temporarily.
How to get there
From Trabzon airport by car along the coast road to Rize, then Çamlıhemşin and up to the plateau, about 3 hours. With Seen a private car and driver meets you; the Ayder and highlands day tour is on the site at a published price and can be added to the Trabzon VIP package via WhatsApp.
Ayder FAQ
How far is Ayder from Trabzon?
About 160 km east of Trabzon, 2.5 to 3 hours by car via Rize and Çamlıhemşin. From Rize city about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Ayder or Uzungöl?
Uzungöl is a lake and village in Trabzon at 1,100 m with a calm, flat day. Ayder is a higher plateau in Rize with hot springs, a waterfall and a rafting valley, and needs a longer day. Many Gulf families visit both.
Is Ayder suitable for children?
Yes: cabins, meadows and the waterfall suit them, and the hot springs have family baths. Rafting is for children over seven on the easy stretches; the zipline for older ones.
Can Ayder be done in one day from Trabzon?
Possible but long (about 6 hours of driving round trip). Better to sleep one night in a cabin on the plateau, or combine Ayder and Rize over two days.
What should I wear?
Layers: a warm jacket even in July, a raincoat and comfortable shoes for wet grass. For the hot springs bring modest swimwear and a towel.
Is Ayder in Seen’s packages?
The Trabzon VIP packages include Uzungöl, the Trabzon city tour and the Hıdırnebi plateau; the Ayder and highlands day tour with car and driver is bookable on its own at a published price or added to the package via WhatsApp; pay on arrival.
Want Ayder in your trip? Book the Ayder and highlands day tour or add it to the Trabzon package, and pay on arrival.
Request the Ayder tour on WhatsApp