Ayder, Rize

A highland plateau village at 1,350 meters in the Fırtına valley, Ayder serves as the main gateway into the Kaçkar Mountains and is known for its thermal springs, cascading waterfalls, and the terraced tea gardens that define the surrounding slopes. Traditional wooden houses with projecting upper floors cluster along the valley floor beside the Fırtına River, and the constant mist and lush greenery give the settlement an atmospheric, almost Alpine quality. The weekly market draws produce and handcraft from surrounding highland communities.