Discover Akyaka

If you’re looking for a hotel in Akyaka, it’s worth looking beyond the town to the wider district. Vast plains and steppes, two rivers, and Akyaka Canyon shape the region’s natural landscape; Kız Kalesi in the village of Tignis adds a historical dimension. These landmarks are not all in the same place: the canyon is in the district, while the castle is in the destination’s surrounding area. When planning a stay in Akyaka, you can consider nature, landscape, and history as distinct aspects of the region.

Landscape and rivers in Akyaka District

Akyaka District lies at an elevation of 1,477 meters and encompasses vast plains and steppes. This description conveys the scale of the municipality’s landscape: it is an open regional area, not just a collection of individual sights. The Kars Çayı and Karahan Çayı also flow through the district. East of Akyaka, both empty into the Arpaçay Reservoir on the border with Armenia. The rivers and their shared destination are therefore among the district’s notable geographical landmarks.

Border location and seasons

The district has a 52-kilometer border with Armenia. The district center is 13 kilometers from the Doğu Kapı border gate, which connects Turkey with Armenia. The border’s length and the distance to the border gate describe two different aspects of the location: the extent of the border and the position of the district center. Together, they establish Akyaka District as a border region.

Climate is another factor to consider when choosing when to travel: winters in the district are cold, while summers are hot and dry. This clear contrast makes it helpful to factor the season into your plans alongside the landscape and places to visit. The climate thus complements the geographical overview with a seasonal perspective on the region.

Akyaka Canyon

Akyaka Canyon is in Akyaka District and is about 10 kilometers long. It runs between the villages of Şahnalar and Kayaköprü. The canyon has hiking trails and picnic areas. Its route between the villages and its approximate length give a sense of the area’s layout; the trails and picnic areas are also among its features.

In 2021, the canyon was opened to visitors at the initiative of the Akyaka District Governor’s Office. A report from the same year described nature walks and family picnics. Rafting on the Kars Çayı in the canyon area was also mentioned for 2021. This timeframe distinguishes the visitor activities reported at the time from the features of the canyon area described as enduring.

Kız Kalesi and Akyaka’s history

Kız Kalesi is in the village of Tignis (Kalkankale) within Akyaka District, in the destination’s surrounding area. Today, only a pile of stones remains; at the beginning of the 20th century, it was nearly intact. The castle is believed to date to the reign of I. Smpad Pakraduni (890–914). The contrast between its present condition and its earlier description illustrates how the castle has changed over time, while the probable attribution connects it to an earlier historical period.

The district’s name has its own history too: in 1961, Kızılçakçak District adopted its present name, Akyaka. For a stay in the region, this offers a varied picture: the vast plains, steppes, and rivers describe the landscape, the canyon adds a natural area, and Kız Kalesi represents the historical perspective.

Discover more destinations: Yenice, Kağızman, Kars, Yukarıdamlapınar, Selim, Sarıkamış, Çolaklı, Dağpınar

Back to the main travel guide: Kars.