ABOUT
ERCIYES

Mount Erciyes rises from the south of the Kayseri valley; the Sultan Marshes lie to the west and the Develi valley is on the south. Its summit, 3917m, is always covered in snow and ice.

The mountain is dry and hot in summer; snow starts in November and continues until April. The north side of the mountain has a milder climate with vast areas of vine and fruit orchards between 1100 and 1600 metres. Above that altitude, summer pastures clothe the slopes; higher elevations have typical alpine vegetation.

The mountain can be climbed from the northwest or the south; best seasons are June – September and February - March. The easiest approach is from Kayseri in the northwest; via the Develi dolmus, which runs to Tekir yaylasi, at 2150m. Here there is a Kayak Evi (ski lodge - 0352 342 2031), run by the city council, offering bed and breakfast at $10, $15 in the ski season (December – May). The Dedeman also has an expensive hotel on the mountain (0352 342 2116). There is a single long ski lift; skis and clothing are available to rent.

For climbers, even in summer, crampons, iceaxe and a helmet are necesssary, as the snow is frozen solid in the mornings. Two routes from the ski lodge run via Seytan Bogazi (Satan’s valley) to the crater rim, then along this ridge to the summit, or a semi-circular route all along the ridge. The ridge is very narrow and steep in places, and the summit itself is a technical climb for the last 30m.

Middle Earth Travel organise two-day climbs from Cappadocia, Goreme, including all equipment.

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