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6 places to visit in the Kalkandere district of Rize: Kalkandere Castle Remains, Çağlayan Village Waterfall and Kalkandere Valley. Plan your trip to Kalkandere with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Kalkandere is a district in the west of Rize province. With an area of 107 km², the district is 13 kilometres from the sea coast. The average elevation of the district centre above sea level is 128 metres.

Geography

Kalkandere has a very rugged terrain, and the entire area is covered with trees and green vegetation. Within the district boundaries there are many hills under 1,000 metres in height.

History

The oldest known name of the district is Karadere; the black stones in the stream bed made the water look black, which gave the name. Kalkandere was successively under the rule of the Cimmerians, Persians, Seljuks and the Trabzon Empire, and it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1461. It became a district by Law No. 7033, which entered into force on 27 June 1957.

Climate

Kalkandere has a mild and rainy climate in all four seasons.

Economy and Society

Because citizens living outside the province who produce tea come to the district during the production season, there is considerable movement. Some of the district’s citizens work as temporary or permanent workers in the tea factories of the district centre and villages.

Tourism

An important tourist attraction in Kalkandere is the Çağlayan Village Waterfall.

History and Culture

Kalkandere became a district by Law No. 7033 on 27 June 1957. Kalkandere was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1461. The region began to be administered in practice as a district in 1959. The first entry of the Seljuk Turks into the region came through the Kars–Çoruh route in the 11th century. The oldest known name of the district is Karadere; the name comes from the black stones in the stream bed.

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Places to Visit in Kalkandere

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 3 Nature
Historic

Kalkandere Castle Remains

The castle remains left from the district's historic heritage.

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Nature

Çağlayan Village Waterfall

An important natural beauty for tourism in the district.

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Nature

Kalkandere Valley

The deep valley stretching along the Kalkandere Stream, with dense forest cover and waterfalls, is a suitable route for nature walks. Plateau settlements are found in the high parts of the valley.

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Nature

Hala Sultan Plateau

The plateau in the high parts of Kalkandere, at an altitude of 2,000 metres, is a cool summer retreat. It is favoured for camping and nature walks.

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Historic

Historic Stone Arch Bridges

Stone arch bridges from the Ottoman period stand in the villages of Kalkandere. The bridges around Büyükköy and Veliköy are the best-preserved examples.

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Religious

Hüseyin Hoca Village Coast Mosque

A mosque in Hüseyin Hoca Village in Kalkandere, moved from Of.

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Places to Visit Around Rize Province

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While you are in Kalkandere, you can also see the highlights of Rize province. These places are in other districts; Kalkandere is about 30 km from the provincial centre.

  • Ayder Plateau — A highland pasture 19 km south-east of Çamlıhemşin, at 1,350 metres, surrounded by spruce and beech forests; with its hot spring, waterfalls and wooden houses it is the best-known tourist centre in the Kaçkars.
  • Zilkale — A medieval castle with eight towers in Çamlıhemşin, on a steep rock above the Fırtına Valley, thought to have been built in the 14th–15th centuries.
  • Fırtına Stream and the Arch Bridges — A 68 km stream that rises in the Kaçkar Mountains and flows into the Black Sea near Ardeşen; it is known for the historic stone arch bridges strung along the valley and for its rafting course.
  • Pokut Plateau — A highland pasture at 2,032 metres, 15 km from the district centre in Çamlıhemşin; with its wooden houses and views over a sea of clouds it is a favourite of photographers.
  • Kaçkar Mountains National Park — A national park of 51,550 hectares, most of it in Çamlıhemşin, known for its glacial lakes, alpine meadows and hikes up to the Kaçkar summit (3,937 m).
  • Palovit Waterfall — A waterfall in Çamlıhemşin, within the boundaries of Kaçkar Mountains National Park, dropping 15 metres amid forests.

Practical Information for Visiting Kalkandere

Suggested time
Half a day to 1 day
Best time to visit
June–September (plateau season)
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in Kalkandere

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  • Laz Böreği

    A sweet börek of thin layers of yufka with muhallebi between them, baked in the oven and soaked in syrup. It is one of Kalkandere's traditional flavours.

  • Corn Bread

    Bread made from cornmeal and cooked on a sac. In Kalkandere it is eaten with every meal, and it is the indispensable accompaniment to muhlama and kale dishes.

  • Karalahana Sarması

    Fresh kale leaves are wrapped around a filling of rice, minced meat and spices. In Kalkandere it is the staple dish of the winter months.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kalkandere

  • Plateau Migration Tradition

    The people of Kalkandere migrate to the high plateaus in the summer months. This tradition keeps alive a way of life intertwined with livestock farming and nature.

  • Horon Culture

    In Kalkandere, horon is danced to the kemençe and tulum at weddings and festivals. The district has its own distinctive horon figures.

Local Products

  • Tea — Tea is grown on the slopes of Kalkandere close to the coast. The district is one of Rize's important tea-producing regions.
  • Honey — Flower honey gathered on Kalkandere's high plateaus is an aromatic product that reflects the richness of the Black Sea flora.

Economy

Kalkandere's economy is based on tea farming and livestock. Beekeeping is carried out in the high parts. Small-scale trade and the construction sector also contribute to the economy. Emigrant workers play an important role in the district's economy.

How to Get to Kalkandere

Kalkandere is 30 km from Rize city centre. The district is reached by road via Rize. Rize-Artvin Airport is about 65 km away. There are regular minibus services from Rize city centre.

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Kalkandere: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Kalkandere?

The six highlights of Kalkandere are Kalkandere Castle Remains, Çağlayan Village Waterfall, Kalkandere Valley, Hala Sultan Plateau, Historic Stone Arch Bridges and Hüseyin Hoca Village Coast Mosque.

What is there to eat in Kalkandere?

Laz Böreği, Corn Bread and Karalahana Sarması are the standout flavours on Kalkandere's tables.

What is Kalkandere famous for?

Kalkandere is known for tea and the Plateau Migration Tradition. Tea is grown on the slopes of Kalkandere close to the coast. The district is one of Rize's important tea-producing regions.

How do I get to Kalkandere?

Kalkandere is 30 km from Rize city centre. The district is reached by road via Rize. Rize-Artvin Airport is about 65 km away. There are regular minibus services from Rize city centre.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Kalkandere?

Suggested visit length: half a day to 1 day. Best time to visit: June–September (plateau season).

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