Erzurum is the largest city of the Eastern Anatolian Region in Eastern Turkey. Situated 5766 feet above sea level, at the outskirts of Palandöken Mountain, the city has found great importance to be the hub of winter tourism in recent years. From rafting, to trekking, and skiing, The Rock can’t refrain people, from all over the world, from visiting the city. So, pack your bags and rush to engulf yourself into the adventures of Erzurum.
Things to do at Erzurum:
River Rafting:
The Coruh River, one of the top ten white water rivers in the world, serves as the perfect venue for adventure when it comes to river rafting, as the high volume of river water is fed by the melting snow from the eastern Black Sea Mountains in north-east Turkey. As it flows through the rugged mountains and the Turkish countryside untouched by people, let yourself get drowned in the peace and tranquillity of nature as you enjoy the adventure.
Trekking:
There are many mountains, hills, plateaus and valleys which have pathways offering the trekkers unique views of natural beauty. The trek with the trail going through thick pines, waits full of adrenaline to offer a visual feast of nature to the eyes. There are suitable tracks for this kind of activities on the peak of Palandöken, in the towns of Uzundere and İspir. There are many trekking paths passing among yellow pine forests, lake and waterfalls with deep valleys and plateaus on Uzundere Valley.The Kackar-Kavron Summit, at an altitude of 12,933 feet is the highest point in the Kackar Mountain range.
Mountain Biking:
The rugged and dramatic terrain of mountains surrounding Erzurum offers sure and exciting biking trails to the adventure lovers. The beauty of the countryside, flora and fauna and Turkish lifestyle is best experienced on a bike’s seat as you meander through lush green hills and dales. This is another sport that Erzurum boasts of and many have lured by the exiting thrills of this outdoor fun. There are routes with different difficulty levels in İspir, Tortum and Uzundere which are ideal for Erzurum geography, including Ahlatlı-Zarnıç (hard), Uzundere Yaylası (hard), Serdarlı – Pehlivanlı (hard), Derinpınar Yaylası – Serdarlı (hard), Engüzek Castle (mid-level) and Yıkıklar (mid-level).
Skiing:
The Palandöken Mountains provide an excellent skiing experience owing to their great height which makes for long descents. Being one of the highest altitude positioned provinces of Turkey, Erzurum has the coldest of climates, remaining covered with snow for 4-5 months during winter. The vast open spaces, snow clad mountains and the height of skiing slopes are enough to pump up the adrenaline in any ski enthusiast. The Palandöken Ski Centre situated in southern Erzurum, lies in the east-west direction the summit at a height of 3185m.
Paragliding:
Ever imagined flying like a bird? And imagine you are flying, with the Turkish mountains in the backdrop. And as you fly high, the beauty of paragliding at Erzurum remains incomparable. The picturesque views of the rugged terrain, the valley and the mountains, and settlements give thrill and amusements with breath taking experience. As you look below, you will see the rows of local houses like tiny dots on the mountain landscapes, and if look along the horizon you can trace the coastline for hours. There are proper and specific points for paragliding around the city, particularly in and around Palandöken Mountain Ranges and Tortum Lake.