Karakaya Hill

Karakaya Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.148m (10,328ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province, eastern Anatolia, in Turkey. The average gradient is 7.27%. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

The road to the summit is asphalted. It is subject to winter snowfalls with such a high summit altitude, and it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. It’s one of the highest roads of the country. The high elevation with its risk of altitude sickness, weather concerns, steep road grade and overall inaccessibility make the travel dangerous and difficult. The road is pretty steep. Starting from D950 road, the ascent is 16.7 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 1.215 meters. The average gradient is 7.27%. The road was built in 2018.

At the summit sits the Doğu Anadolu Gözlemevi (Eastern Anatolia Observatory), a ground-based astronomical observatory. It’s one of the best space observation centers in the world. The heavy snowfall, low humidity and cold weather are among the most important advantages in astronomical terms. Driving at night, or in poor visibility, is not recommended for drivers unfamiliar with the road.
Pic: http://atasam.atauni.edu.tr/galeri/fotograflar/yerleske/

 

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