Route Details

- The trail can be hiked in either direction; this description follows the Apivanak direction.
- Starting from Kavrun village center, the route begins at the main bridge and enters a footpath after 1 km.
- While the Öküzyatağı Route (Y05) continues on the left bank of the river, this one follows the right bank.
- The trail ascends along faint paths, keeping the stream on your left.
- Begin a zigzag climb toward Derebaşı Lake.
- The trail continues rising toward steep rock faces on the lake’s right side.
- Upon reaching the base of the rocks, breathtaking views open up — to your left are the Kaçkar and Mezovit peaks, Derebaşı Lake, and the Öküzyatağı campsite (6 km).
- Crossing the pass, you’ll see the Palovit Valley stretching out below.
- The descent begins with a series of switchbacks.
- When you reach the lion-head-shaped rock formation on the left, move across to the right slope and descend steeply along a faint path until you reach the riverbed (8.5 km).
- Pay close attention to trail markers in this section.
- Once at the stream, continue rightward along the river until you reach Apivanak Plateau.
- After passing the last house of the plateau, you’ll see a bridge and a gravel mountain road on the left.
- From this point on, continue entirely on the road until you reach Palovit Plateau.
- Pass the Trovit road junction, continue right, and descend into Palovit center (14 km).
- If you skip the descent into the center and go straight, you’ll reach the Kotençur Trail (Y07).
- After passing through Palovit center, enter the footpath beyond the last houses.
- Staying on the left side of the river, follow the trail all the way to Amlakit Plateau.
- Because completing the full loop in one day would be very tiring, an overnight stay at Amlakit Plateau is recommended.
- From the main road in Amlakit, turn right after 50 m to join the Samistal Trail (17.7 km).
- Continuing straight instead leads toward the Hazindak Trail (Y08).
- The Samistal Trail steepens immediately, climbing in zigzags through the forest before emerging above the treeline.
- The trail then follows the ridge, leaning against the right-hand slope, with a gentle incline up to Samistal Plateau (21.5 km).
- Upon arrival, pass through the houses on the right, cross the main road, and begin climbing the opposite hill.
- Near the houses, a sign points left toward the Hazindak Trail (Y08).
- Continue uphill across the slope, crossing the road to reach the pass.
- From the top, you’ll see the magnificent panorama of the Kaçkar Mountain range — from Marsis, Altıparmak, and Kemerli Kaçkar to Mezovit, Kaçkar, and, in the far east, Verçenik (23 km).
- Traverse the right slope through a series of gentle crossings and descents to reach the main Kavrun road (26 km).
- Turn right, walk a short distance, then turn left onto a descending trail that leads back into Kavrun village center.

Risks

Possible bear encounters. The descent from Kavrun Pass into the Apivanak Valley is steep and the trail is faint in places — extra caution and attention to waymarks are essential. Some road sections may have vehicle traffic. Turkcell network generally works, but there is no signal between Apivanak Pass and Samistal Pass.

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