Avcılar: Stone and Wooden Houses

Avcılar is a village at an elevation of about 2,050 meters. If you are looking for hotels for a trip to Avcılar, you can first consider whether you would like to include the character of the village, a hike, or cultural and landscape topics from the wider Yusufeli area in your plans. In the village itself, the houses combine stone and wooden structures; local grain processing developed from earlier watermills to electric milling technology. In winter, Avcılar offers snow-covered, postcard-like landscapes. You can therefore consider the local architecture, the history of the mills, and the seasonal landscape separately.

Winter Scenery and Getting There

In winter, the village offers snow-covered, postcard-like landscapes. If you want to experience this seasonal scenery in particular, you should also plan your journey for the intended travel period. A provincial administration report dated January 23, 2018, describes the 60-kilometer Köprügören–Yamaçüstü–Avcılar–Sütlüce group road, including a 30-kilometer section that was narrow, steep, and gravel-covered; significant traffic problems occurred there, especially in winter. The 30-kilometer section represents half of the total length stated in the report. Check current road conditions before setting out, especially if traveling in winter.

Village Character and the History of the Mills

The houses in Avcılar village combine stone and wooden structures. Another perspective on the village’s history comes from grain processing, whose technology developed from earlier watermills to electric milling technology. The architecture and the history of grain processing thus offer different points of focus: the use of combined materials in house construction, and the evolution of a local technology in the history of the mills. If you are planning your trip around particular themes, you can consider the houses and the history of the mills as two distinct aspects of the village.

Hiking Route and Cave

The Avcılar Köyü Rotası hiking route runs from Kılıçkaya to Avcılar. If you include this route in your plans, check current trail conditions in advance. The prehistoric Savangin Cave is nearby, in the village of Bakırtepe. The route to the cave follows the connecting road between Kılıçkaya and Bakırtepe–Avcılar; after getting out of the vehicle, it is about 3 km north through the valley. The two destinations offer different planning options: a hike to Avcılar or a visit to the cave followed by a walk through the valley. Check current access arrangements before visiting the cave.

Culture and Nature in the Wider Yusufeli Area

The wider Yusufeli travel area offers additional cultural and nature-related points of interest. Dört Kilise in the village of Tekkale is a medieval monastic complex; its foundation in the 9th century is attributed to the Georgian King David. Another perspective is offered by the Altıparmak, also known as the Barhal River, in the Yusufeli area: it is suitable for canoeing and whitewater kayaking and flows through a valley surrounded by high mountains. This offers a clear choice of interests: Dört Kilise represents medieval cultural heritage, while the river offers water-based activities.

Discover more destinations: Kemalpaşa, Akantaş Köyü, Ortacalar, Şavşat, Borçka, Kireçlik Köyü, Arhavi, Çimenli

Go to the wider travel overview: Artvin.