In order to ascend the Buyuk Agri and Cilo-Sat ranges foreign mountaineering groups must have special permission from the authorities concerned. For further infor mation and to contact such Turkish groups, apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, An kara. Tel: (0-312) 212 51 25.

It is generally advisable to inform the Turkish Mountaineering Club, of the region and time of the intended climb, before the trip: the Club will then inform the relevant authorities in the region so that they will be prepared to assist, should it be necessary.

Buyuk Agri Mountain This is the highest mountain (5137 m) in Turkey with its peak totally capped by a glacier. The best season for the trip is July - October . Dogubayazit is the starting point for climbing the southern face, via the village of Top,catan. A plateau leads to this hig hest mountain (5137m) in Anatolia. This mountain is also legendary for its friendly pe ople.

Cilo - Sat Mountains In this range in the east are numerous glaciers, lakes and streams and so it is an ideal region for mountaineering and rambling. The best season for climbing and hiking is June to September. The starting point is the high plateau of Mercan, 5 hours walk from the gendarme post of Zap (18 km from Hakkari). Access to the Gelyasin Peak (4135 m) is via the high plateau of Serpil and access to the Kisara Peak (3752 m) is via the village of Kursin and So. The track to the Samdi Peak and the surrounding gla ciers starts from the "Sat Gevaruk" Pasture. The glacier lake Bay Golu surrounded by alpine flora lies at 2700 m altitude.

Kackar Mountains Stretching for 30 km parallel to the Black Sea between Rize and Hopa, these ran ges have peaks up to 3932 m in height with numerous glaciers, lakes, forests and hot springs. The mountains are divided into four massifs: Vercenik, Kackar (Kavron), Alti parmak and Hunut. Although all of these massifs have camping, climbing and hiking areas, the most popular of these treks is the Trans-Kackar route starting from the Ayder village, known for its beauty and hot springs. You may travel by car to the west to enter the foot hills of the Trans - Kackar route all the way up to Asagi Kavron, where you continue on foot from Yukari Kavron to the Bogazcayiri natural camping area. From here the summit of Kackar is about 7 to 9 hours trek at an altitude of 3932 m. When you come down on the Eastern side you can also visit the Buyuk Cay Valley going on to Yaylalar Village and from there again by car on to Barhal. This entire area is well known for its friendly people and hospitable neighbors.

Erciyes Mountain This extinct volcano, the highest peak (3917 m) in central Anatolia, lies to the south of Kayseri. The Tekir Plateau is a recreation area in summer and a good skiing area in winter and it is reached via Hisarcik. The plateau is also the starting point for ascending the peak trom the north face. The climb there and back takes about 10-12 hours, and on the plateau is a 100 bed capacity chalet. Another route goes over the glacier called Sutdonduran.

Ala Mountains Situated 60 km south east of Nigde running in an east direction. The Yedi Goller Plateau lies at 3100 m and is surrounded by high peaks. The ideal season for ascen ding is June to September and the mountains are accessible via Nigde, Camardi and Cukurbag. The starting point for ascending the Demirkazik (at 3756 m, there and back 9-10 hours) is Sokullupinar, about 3 hours walk from Cukurbag. Starting from Yedi Go ller Vadisi (Valley of the Seven Lakes) one can ascend up to Kizilkaya (3725 m, there and back in 10 hours), and Direktas (3470 m -10 hours). For ascending in the Kaldi group, the highest peak of which is 3734 m, the base camp should be made on the Si nekli Plateau.

Suphan Mountain This is the third highest peak (4059 m) in Turkey and has a crater lake. Starting from Adilcevaz the trip to the top and back takes about three days.

Bolkar Mountains They are situated in the middle of the Toros Mountains. Lying on the Ankara - Adana road the best starting points, in order to reach the peaks of Kizilyar (3654 m) and Turasan (3499 m), are Maden village near Ciftehan and Elmapinar near Camalan.

Bey Mountains These mountains are situated to the west of Antalya and reach a height of 3086 meters. The best starting points are from Antalya - Kemer and Antalya-and Elmali Climbing is possible year round. The trip to the top of Klzlar Sivrisi (3086 m) and back can be made in a day by camping in Sedir forest. Mt. Tahtali (2344 m) can be reached from Kemer. Driving to Soguk Plnar and camping there, the climb is easily made. The view of the Mediterranean, from the top, attracts many climbers.

Mercan (Munzur) Mountains Ranging from 3462 m to 3500 m this range lies between Tunceli and Erzincan. The highest peaks are north of Ovacik.

Hasan Mountain Situated south of Aksaray at a height of 3250 m Hasan Mountain is accessible from all directions. The ideal starting points are Ta,splnar on the Ankara - Adana road and the village of Helvadere in the Ihlara Valley.

Route plans and mountaineering guides are available from the Tourist Information Offices of the respective regions.