DAY TRAILS

ONE - DAY  ROUTE

A one-day walk in Kars starts from the 12 Apostles Church . After also visiting the Ebul-Hasan Harakani Tomb right next to it, head for the Kars Castle The descent from the castle offers a panoramic view of Kars; make sure to go down on the side of the Taskopru / Stone Bridge When you come down, walk along the Kars stream on the side of the Ottoman Houses until you reach Caucasus University’s Economic and Administrative Science Faculty campus. The stone buildings in the campus date back to the Russian period. Then walk back the way you came from the bridge and stop by at the Muradiye, Mazlumaga and Topcuoglu Hamams (Turkish baths) on the way.

Make sure to visit the house of Namik Kemal- a famous Turkish poet in the 19th century, which is now reconstructed as a community center.

After crossing the bridge, walk towards the Istihkâm Tea Garden. This is a nice place to have a break and a cup of Turkish tea in an hourglass-shaped tea glass, and enjoy the view of the castle.

Choose one of the city’s restaurants listed here for lunch. Food in Kars is heavily meat-based so vegetarians might have a few difficulties, but if you ask for a vegetarian dish and are prepared to wait a little, the cooks will probably come up with something for you. All meals are followed by a glass of a complimentary tea.

In the afternoon you may walk through Kazim Karabekir Street among the honey and cheese shops and reach Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Pasa Street. Start from the Ismet Pasa Primary School and walk up in between the stone buildings. The two-story old Russian Embassy, now converted into houses, is on a corner of the street and catches the eye with its .architecture and ornate balcony. Follow Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Pasa Street until the intersection with Karadag Street and turn right there. On that street you will see the revenue office on the right and its guest house on the left, behind the garden. Turn right onto Ordu Street to see the old governor’s office.

Following Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Pasa Street you arrive at the Aleksandr Nevski (Fethiye Mosque). And Cumhuriyet Street will take you to the Ataturk Statue. Turn south at the statue to reach the station building. Going back on Cumhuriyet Street, the walk ends at the Kars Museum.

TWO - DAY  TRAIL

After the following the walking route inside the city on the first day, a visit to Ani and the hills of Yahni Mountain on the second day is highly recommended. Many visitors prefer going to Ani in the early morning.

THREE - DAY  TRAIL

After visiting Kars and Ani in the first two days, a swim in Çildir Lake could be a relaxing way to spend the morning of the third day. There are fish restaurants by the side of the lake for lunch. In the afternoon, the Devil’s Castle (Seytan Kalesi) in Cildir is worth a visit, and you could also see the Taskopru inscriptions, Akcakale Island and its ruins and the Orta Kent Caves in the same afternoon.

FOUR - DAY  TRAIL

Early in the fourth day, head for Sarikamis. After touring the town, take a walk in the scotch pine forests. You can also ski if you are there at the right season. The Tsar’s hunting pavilion (Carin Av Kosku) is also worth seeing if you get permission.

For people staying longer, there are ot her options. The surrounding towns and villages offer a variety of natural and cultural attractions. Besides Dogubeyazit and Ishakpasa Palace, Artvin and surrounding towns are easily reachable from Kars. For those interested in outdoor sports there are rafting options on the river Coruh in Yusufeli near Artvin.