Language
Sign in
Highland plateau (yayla)
Trabzon
Karadeniz
Priority Stop
NatureSultanmurat Plateau lies in the Çaykara district of Trabzon, roughly 17 to 25 kilometres southwest of the district centre and 2,000 to 2,200 metres above sea level, spreading out just above the treeline of the Eastern Black Sea highlands.
History & Significance
It takes its name from the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV, who according to tradition camped here with his army in 1635 while returning from his campaign in Iran, led Friday prayers on these broad meadows and stayed for several days; the surviving sermon stone (hutbe taşı) is a tangible reminder of that episode. What truly cements the plateau's cultural importance, however, is the First World War: in 1916, one officer and seventy soldiers, seventy-one men in all, fell fighting the advancing Russian armies, and the knoll where they are buried, about one kilometre south of the plateau centre, is known as Martyrs' Hill (Şehitler Tepesi). Trenches from the war are still visible, and the fallen are commemorated every year with ceremonies held in late June.
Nature & Visitor Experience
Naturally, the plateau is celebrated for its vast pastures, fragrant pine and spruce forests and, above all, the famous sea of clouds that fills the valleys on many afternoons. Agencies favour Sultanmurat because it combines natural beauty with layered history, war-memorial heritage and living highland culture in a single stop, and because it sits close to Uzungöl and the Çaykara-Of corridor, making it a natural rest and photo halt on day tours of the Black Sea. A typical visit, including a short walk and a glass of tea, lasts two to three hours. On guided itineraries it is usually paired with Uzungöl on the same day, reached via Çaykara. Nearby lie Uzungöl, the Demirkapı and Haldizen plateaus and the high alpine trails toward Soğanlı and Balıklıgöl. The best photography points are Martyrs' Hill, the area around the sermon stone and the open ridges above the treeline.
Amenities & Best Season
Because the plateau has electricity, drinking water, toilets, hotels and pensions, shops, a bakery, a coffeehouse and a mosque, groups can comfortably stay and dine. The ideal season runs from June to September, when the plateau comes alive; the traditional highland festivities on 20 August draw tens of thousands of visitors and mark the peak season.
Visit & Logistics
Visit & Logistics- Getting thereFrom central Trabzon, follow the coastal road to Of, then take the Çaykara-Ataköy route up to the plateau (about 105 km, 2-2.5 hours). The road is paved/graded; the final mountain stretch is comfortable in summer but can close in winter due to snow. Public transport is limited; visits are usually made by private car, tour coach, or minibus from Çaykara.
- ParkingOrganised open parking areas for buses and cars are available at the plateau centre and around the martyrs' memorial; space gets tight during the festival days.
- Coach accessTour coaches can reach the plateau via the Çaykara-Ataköy road; the route is mountainous and winding, requiring careful driving for large vehicles, and winter access depends on snow/road conditions.
- AccessibilityThe flat meadow and service areas at the plateau centre are partly accessible; however, the martyrs' hill and natural trails are sloped and unpaved, offering limited access for wheelchair users.
- Photo spotsThe ridge at Martyrs' Hill (şehitlik), the area around the sermon stone, the open meadow ridges above the treeline, and the sea-of-clouds panorama that fills the valleys in the afternoon.
- Suggested routeAs a midday/afternoon rest stop and history-and-nature photo halt on the Çaykara day tour planned together with Uzungöl.
Nearby Places
Tours that include this place
Tours that include this placeNo published tour features this place just yet — but we can build one around you, with no obligation. AI Concierge
No published tour features this place just yet — but we can build one around you, with no obligation. 