The land of waterfalls: Rize

Rize is dubbed “the city of waterfalls” for the many waterfalls found around the province, Provincial Culture and Tourism Director İsmail Hocaoğlu told state-run Anadolu Agency.

The province is in a region of northern Turkey where rain makes the ground particularly fertile, Hocaoğlu noted 

“Rize is a center for water and rain. So water is precious to us. Our city is a city of valleys and creeks. Waters from the Kaçkar Mountains and various other valleys meet in the sea,” he added.

There are approximately 100 waterfalls in Rize, Hocaoğlu said. 

“Waterfalls are one of the most important natural themes in our tourism. All visitors coming to our province especially seek to visit the prominent waterfalls in the area before they leave. The Bulut Waterfall in the Ayder Plateau is one the many prominent waterfalls. The Bulut Waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls in Turkey. It is a 200-meter tall waterfall that meets a stream. In the same spot the Gelintülün and Kaçkabanı Waterfalls also attract attention,” he added.

Koçkabanı in the Çamlıhemşin district is prominent among the most visited spots in Rize, with small waterfalls such as Gelintülü and Palovit in the Çamlıhemşin Valley. 

Particularly noteworthy are the water drops when scattered from the Palovit Waterfall, forming a rainbow on a sunny day. It is a sight that photo enthusiasts as well as nature-lovers flock to the area to see.  
“Palovit is a waterfall that is richest in terms of water,” Hocaoğlu said. 

“It stands out as the most visited waterfall here in recent years. The Ağaran Waterfall in the Çayeli district is also one of the tallest waterfalls in the area, and is the closest big waterfall to our city. The Cimil Waterfall is found in the İkizdere district. We have waterfalls in every district. In our city, which is the hometown of water, waterfalls are a crucial factor of tourism,” he added.