Kafkasör Dağ Evi (Mountain House) sits on the Kafkasör Plateau, a high meadow approximately 5 kilometres above Artvin city at around 1,800 metres elevation. The plateau is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Artvin province — a broad, rolling grassland ringed by beech forest that is accessible by road from the city below and has functioned for centuries as a summer pasture for Artvin's pastoral communities.
Kafkasör is perhaps best known outside the region as the host venue for the annual Kafkasör Kültür Sanat ve Turizm Festivali, held each year in late June. The festival's centrepiece is the traditional Caucasian bullfighting (boğa güreşi), in which bulls compete against each other rather than against a human opponent — a practice specific to the Black Sea and Caucasus mountain communities of northeastern Turkey and Georgia. The festival also features folk music, dance, regional food, and crafts, drawing large crowds from across the province.
The Dağ Evi itself is a seasonal property, operating from June through September when the plateau is accessible and the weather suitable. Accommodation options include doubles and dormitory-style bunk beds during the peak summer months of June and August, making it useful for both couples and solo travellers on a tight budget. Shared bathrooms are standard. Breakfast is available, typically featuring dairy and bread from local producers.
Beyond the festival, the plateau is excellent for day walks through the beech forest fringe, wildflower meadow photography, and clear-sky stargazing at altitude away from Artvin's urban light. The Dağ Evi provides a genuinely different experience from the city hotels below — cooler temperatures, forest air, and plateau solitude that contrasts sharply with Artvin's urban density.
Room types
- Double
- Dorm bunk (June–August)
Amenities
- Plateau views
- Shared bathroom
- Breakfast available
- Open June–September
Location
Kafkasör Yaylası, 08000 Artvin
41.1564, 41.7893 View on map
Highlights
- Located on Kafkasör Plateau, Artvin's famous venue for the annual traditional bullfighting festival (late June)
- Only accommodation directly on the plateau — cooler temperatures and forest atmosphere 5 km above the city
- Dormitory bunks available June–August for solo travellers and groups on tight budgets
- Seasonal operation (June–September) aligns perfectly with northeastern Turkey's outdoor calendar
- Excellent base for meadow walks, wildflower photography, and altitude stargazing
Tips for visiting
- Book months in advance if visiting during the Kafkasör Festival (late June) — the plateau fills entirely and accommodation in Artvin city also sells out.
- Temperatures on the plateau drop significantly after sunset even in July; bring a warm layer regardless of how warm the city feels below.
- The road from Artvin city to Kafkasör is paved and takes about 20 minutes by car; taxis are readily available from the city centre for a reasonable fixed fare.
- The plateau is accessible by road but beech forest trails also allow a direct uphill walk from Artvin — a steep but rewarding 2-hour ascent with city views.