Top 10 Highest Mountains in Turkey

Ararat is a stratovolcano with a permanently snow-capped summit. Because it stands alone, it dominates the horizon for miles around. It is a sacred mountain for Armenians (who can see it from their capital Yerevan), although it stands on Turkish territory. Climbing is possible but requires a special permit from the Turkish government because it lies in a military border zone.

Turkey's second-highest mountain lies in Hakkari province in the southeast. It is part of the Cilo mountains. This area is extremely rugged and holds Turkey's largest glaciers. Because of the unstable situation in the region, the mountain was off-limits to tourists for years, which has kept nature untouched.

Just north of the gigantic Lake Van lies this extinct volcano. From the summit you have an amazing view over Turkey's largest lake. Unlike the rugged Cilo mountains, Süphan is easier to climb in summer; you can get quite high by off-road vehicle before the hike begins.

The highest peak of the Pontic Mountains on the Black Sea. This area looks nothing like the dry rest of Turkey; it is green, humid and misty, comparable to the Alps or Scotland. Kaçkar is known for its steep rock faces, glacial lakes and the wild bears living in the forests at its foot.

This iconic volcano towers over the city of Kayseri in Central Anatolia. Erciyes is famous as the largest winter sports center in Turkey. The mountain is responsible for creating the famous landscape of Cappadocia; its eruptions (along with those of Mount Hasan) produced the soft tuff into which the cave dwellings were carved.

Right next to Mount Ararat lies its little brother. The two volcanoes are connected by a ridge. Little Ararat has a perfect, almost symmetrical cone shape. Although it stands in the shadow of its gigantic neighbor, on its own it is higher than, for example, Austria's highest mountain (the Grossglockner).

The highest peak of the Aladağlar massif (part of the Taurus Mountains). There has long been debate about whether this mountain or neighboring Demirkazık was the highest. Recent measurements show that Kızılkaya is just slightly higher. It is a favorite area for technical rock climbers because of its sheer walls.

For years it was thought to be the highest in the Taurus. The name means 'Iron Stake'. The mountain is notorious among climbers; its north face is extremely challenging and, sadly, several accidents have happened here. Its silhouette is pointed and very recognizable.

A lesser-known mountain in the northeastern province of Kars, near Lake Çıldır. It is a huge volcanic mass. In winter it is extremely cold here; this part of Turkey sees temperatures that can drop to -40 degrees Celsius.

The highest peak of the Bolkar Mountains in the Taurus range. The name loosely translates as 'Without Help' or 'Hopeless', referring to its remote location and the tough climb to the top. From the summit, on a clear day, you can see the Mediterranean Sea to the south.