The Kackar Mountains are part of the Pontic Alps is the glaciated, granite mountain range which hugs the south coast of the Black Sea, extending from the Caucasus towards Istanbul.
Lushly wooded on the north, with pines succeeded at lower levels by chestnut,
hornbeam and beech trees, with tea plantations and hazlenut groves spilling down towards the waves.
The contrasting southern slopes are patched by summer pastures where black bulls graze.
Lakes, springs and streams are plentiful and clear.

The Kackar are now a popular summer trekking and climbing destination. The trekking season is from July to September and in February and March for more experienced snow trekkers.

The local people often spend the winters in the cities and return to their homes to tend their farms and animals in the summer.