Our Journey from Artvin to Kars: Remote, Rugged, and a Little Scary
If I had to summarize our trip to Artvin in just a few words: we couldn’t find many places to explore, and the endless uphill walks were exhausting. Since the city center didn’t offer many attractions and the steep slopes were tiring, we decided to draw a new route. That’s when we made a spontaneous decision: to head toward Ani Ruins and explore Kars – the capital of cheese.
A Route We Didn’t Know, A Journey We Won’t Forget
We had never taken this route before, so we had no idea what kind of roads awaited us. We opened Google Maps and simply chose the shortest path. But what we encountered… well, you’ll see it in the photos.
Sharp bends, narrow mountain roads, steep climbs and descents
Rockfall risk signs
Warnings about wild animals
And the biggest issue: no gas stations, no rest stops, and no phone signal until we reached ĹžavĹźat
The landscape was absolutely stunning—but the fog, the silence, and the isolation made it feel surreal. And then…
A Screw, the Fog, and a Flat Tire
We heard an odd noise from the car, stopped, and checked the tires. Unfortunately, a screw had punctured one of them. Surrounded by thick fog, with no one around and no signal, it truly felt like a scene from a horror movie.
With no other option, we cautiously kept driving with the flat tire until we reached a safer area.
Our Advice?
If you’re planning to travel from Artvin to Kars:
Choose your route carefully
Make sure your vehicle is fully checked and carry a spare tire + repair kit
Google Maps doesn’t always suggest the safest route
And most importantly: drive during daylight hours
Yes, the view was breathtaking—but nature can be just as fierce as it is beautiful. We won’t forget this road anytime soon. The photos and memories remain with us. Maybe the best journeys are the ones that challenge you a little—don’t you think?
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