The route runs from Rize along the coast road to Ardeşen, then follows the Fırtına Stream through Çamlıhemşin up to Ayder Plateau. From Ayder it drops back to Ardeşen, follows the Black Sea coast road as far as Hopa, then crosses the Cankurtaran Pass to reach Borçka and Artvin.
Road conditions
The main route is asphalt. The climb to Ayder is narrow and twisty, and in summer you share the road with tour minibuses. The roads to the higher plateaus such as Pokut, Huser or Kavrun are largely stabilised gravel and steep; an adventure / enduro motorcycle is the better choice for those sections.
Things to watch for
- The Black Sea weather changes very quickly; keep a rain jacket and waterproof gloves with you.
- At tunnel exits and in shaded bends the road can be wet and mossy.
- Meeting cows and stray animals on plateau roads is normal.
- Fog can seriously reduce visibility on the Cankurtaran Pass; if possible, cross early in the morning or in the afternoon.
Fuel is easy to find along the coast, but fill the tank before climbing to Ayder and the upper plateaus. For accommodation, there are wooden guesthouses in Ayder and Çamlıhemşin and hotels in central Artvin.