RAFTING CORUH
RAFTING CORUH
Originating at the Mescit Mountains (3,225 m) and flowing 466 km before reaching the Black Sea in Georgia, Coruh River is one of the fastest flowing rivers in the world.
The small towns and villages located along the river are impressively authentic and historically interesting. The area as a whole represents the synthesis of the cultures of Eastern Anatolia and the Black Sea.
Coruh River is frequented by local and foreign sportsmen, who travel each year to this area for canoeing, rafting and trekking in the Kackar Mountains.
The best way to reach the summit at Kackar Mountains is via the villages of Yaylalar and Olgunlar. Dilberdüzü makes an excellent campsite. From there, proceed to Deniz Lake and the summit at 3,9377 m. Local guides and mules to carry personal belongings may be hired. An alternative route to the summit is to pass horizontally by Trans-Kackar on one of several trails.
The natural habitat of Coruh River remains undisturbed. Colonies of red vultures, which are threatened with extinction, live among the rocks by the riverside. The region bordering the river is rich in wildlife, including gray bear, mountain goat with hooked horns, wild boar, wolf, jackal, fox, badger, marten, water sable, rabbit, partridge, wild rooster, woodcock, wild duck, stock dove, golden oriole, siskin, fieldfare, pigeon and wood pigeon.
As the Coruh passes 150 km through the province of Artvin, the river cuts through steep and impregnable mountains on its way towards the Black Sea.
COURSE
A trip down the Coruh starts at Bayburt, passing through Ispir and Yusufeli and on to Artvin, a distance of approximately 260 km.
Bayburt – Ispir 0-106 km
An ideal starting point for the expedition is the Dikmetas Bridge near Bayburt, which has good areas for camping on either side of the river. Aslandede and Laleli also make pleasant campsites.
With class 2-3 water, the trip from Bayburt to Ispir can be completed within three days on average. Approximately three kms before arriving at Ispir, the left bank affords a convenient campground. The nearby gas station and the shops in Ispir are useful for reprovisioning.
Ispir – Camlikaya 106-134 km
Following departure from Ispir (stabilized road entry: 0 km), one should watch the rapids at 3km, 6.6 km, 7.4 km, and 8 km. The small hut on the left side of the road before arriving at the road junction for Camlikaya at 28 km makes a good rest stop. Drinking water can be obtained either from the brook flowing from the mountains, located 200 meters ahead on the left side of the road, or from the spring to the right of the transformer station past the concrete bridge at the Camlikaya road junction. Food can be purchased from Camlikaya (four km from the road junction). The Ispir-Camlikaya route is class 3-4-5 water.
Camlikaya – Tekkale 134-178 km
After Camlikaya, rice plantations, vegetable gardens and fruit orchards prevail on the river banks. The river passes by Köprügören at 48 km, coming to the hamlet of Alanbasi at 54 km. It is possible to camp there next to the brook that joins the Coruh on the left bank immediately before the village.
Past the concrete bridge, the river becomes rockier, class 3-4-5 water. An old watch tower is visible before arriving at Cevreli. The garden in front of the village primary school, to the right immediately after the concrete bridge, makes a good campsite. There are also places to overnight in Tekkale, 7 km ahead. From Tekkale, guides can take you up the mountains to see the historic Dörtkilise, a medieval Georgian church. Fishermen can enjoy angling for speckled trout (alabalik) in the brook flowing nearby the church.
Tekkale – Artvin 178-261 km
From Tekkale, the expedition proceeds to Yusufeli, six km away, where accommodations and simple cafes can be found. The Altiparmak, one of the major branches of the Coruh, joins the river close to Yusufeli.
As the flow-rate of the river picks up speed, the route becomes increasingly challenging, class 3-4-5 water. Oltu Cayì joins the river nine km after Yusufeli, near the Artvin-Erzurum highway junction, behind a concrete bridge. The rapids begin 22 km from Yusufeli. This 100 meter stretch of white water, nicknamed “King-Kong”, cascades around sharp boulders with breathtaking velocity, making it the high point of the expedition. The water is dangerous here, class 5+ water, so less experienced expeditions should not plan to cross this section when the river is high. A large concrete sign inscribed with the letters EIE to the left of the highway identifies this section of the Coruh.
Expeditions can make camp 33 km before Zeytincik, stopping to pick up any necessary provisions in the village. At 43 km, the river enters a narrow three km long canyon class 3-4. The gas station and inn at Oruclu, at 57 km, provides a convenient finish for the trip. Boats can be pulled on shore here and there are a few rustic rooms and a cafe. Artvin is 20 km further on from Oruclu, with mostly class 1-2 water. Some groups prefer to extend the route right through to Artvin.
WHAT TO SEE
As one of the first places in Anatolia to be settled by the Turks, Bayburt is renowned for its music, folklore and historic buildings. The town’s location on the Silk Road made it a stopping place for travellers from the east and west. It has retained its importance militarily and culturally throughout the centuries.
Today, the imposing Bayburt Fortress, Clock Tower, old Turkish baths (hamam), mosques and churches are worth seeing.
Also of interest are javelin contests, a traditional type of polo, water buffalo wrestling and local folk dances.
Ruins of several citadels can be seen in Ispir. The medieval fortress of Ispir citadel was repaired and used in turn by the Saltuks, Seljuks and Ottomans. The castle contains a small mescid or chapel.
Yusufeli is particularly interesting for amateur historians and archaeologists. The Barhal church, Ishan fortress and church, Demirkent fortress and church, Cevreli-Meydan citadel, Kilickaya fortress and hundreds of underground storerooms tell the fascinating history of the area.
In the province of Artvin, the most important things to see are the fortresses of Artvin, Okumuslar, Bakìrköy, Saribudak and Yukarimaden.
Regional festivals give a fascinating insight into local customs. The best known among these is the Kafkasör Cultural and Arts Festival held each year in the second half of June. The festival is unique in the world, featuring a Turkish version of bullfighting. Prize bulls, classified according to their neck thickness and weight, are pitted against each other in fights that stop short of mortal injury. The festival attracts a growing number of tourists from around the world.
