Hıdırnebi Plateau

Hıdırnebi Plateau, in the Akçaabat district of Trabzon and set on an extension of the Metinkale Valley at roughly 1,600 metres, is one of the best known and most easily reached highlands of the Eastern Black Sea.

History & Culture

Known locally as "Dernek Çimeni," the plateau's story is rooted in the centuries-old transhumance tradition of Akçaabat families who drove their herds up to cool summer pastures; this nomadic highland culture still defines the plateau's identity today. Its name is generally traced to the Hıdırellez (Hızır-İlyas) belief associated with fertility and spring across the region. The plateau's cultural high point is the Hıdırnebi Highland Festival held each July (traditionally ending on 20 July), when great circles of horon dancers form to the sound of the kemençe, drum and zurna, alongside halay dances and folk ballads that showcase the living local culture.

Nature & Scenery

Geographically, the plateau's most striking feature is the frequent "sea of clouds": on clear days a viewing terrace lays Akçaabat and its villages at your feet, while on misty days clouds flood the valleys and give visitors the sensation of standing above the clouds. Broad meadows, pine and spruce forests, wildlife and crisp highland air make it a top choice for nature photography, trekking and off-road tours.

Visiting, Access & Tips

Agencies favour Hıdırnebi mainly because it lies only about 40 km from central Trabzon and roughly 29 km from Akçaabat, with roads kept open in both winter and summer, allowing day trips in all four seasons. The average visit lasts 1.5-2.5 hours and it usually features in guided programmes as part of a full-day route paired with Çal Cave. Nearby highlights include Çal Cave, Lake Sera, the Akçaabat seafront and the neighbouring Sultanmurat and Kadırga plateaus. The best photo spots are the viewing terrace, the festival lawn (the Argalos flat) and the forest edges where dawn mist fills the valleys. Access is via the Akçaabat-Düzköy highway, turning southwest at the 12th kilometre; the sealed road suits tour coaches and there is a parking area by the facilities. Accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility is limited around the terrace, as the grassy, sloping ground makes a companion advisable.

Route & Best Time

The ideal window is the June-September highland season, with peak crowds during the July festival days; autumn adds mist and colour, while winter brings growing snow tourism. Suggested route: depart Akçaabat in the morning, spend the late morning amid the mist and festival grounds of Hıdırnebi, then visit Çal Cave in the afternoon and stop for Akçaabat köfte on the way back.