3-Day Travel Route for Palandöken

If you are planning a fun and well-rounded winter excursion, Palandöken is your go-to mountain getaway!

In Erzurum, eastern Türkiye, Palandöken Mountain is a beloved centre for winter tourism. Snow-capped peaks, jagged mountains, natural and historical sights, and thrilling activities tempt snow and ski lovers to the slopes.

This 3-day Palandöken route offers a little bit of everything, from sightseeing to skiing.

9 Points

215 km

3.5 h

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Experience a 3-day Palandöken getaway in Erzurum with snowy slopes, ski centres, rich history, local bazaars and authentic flavours.

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Day 1

Dedicate your first day in Palandöken to delighting in the pristine wonders of the region, where you can feel the eternal bliss of nature.

Fairy Chimneys of Narman, unique geological formations that date back 300 million years, just feel like they come right out of a painting. Shaped by wind and rain eroding the sandy earth, these magical formations bear a resemblance to the Grand Canyon in the USA.

From there, head over to the fascinating Tortum Waterfall. Measuring 21 metres in width and 48 metres in height, it is one of Türkiye's tallest waterfalls. It was formed by Lake Tortum overflowing the landslide mass in the Tev Valley. You can enjoy its stunning landscape from the terrace.

Of course, food lovers aren’t left out either. Savour cağ kebabı, a simply iconic taste of Erzurum. This type of kebap is prepared by threading pre-seasoned meat onto a horizontal skewer and grilling over a wood fire.

Day 2

On your second day, snow and skiing take centre stage. Located on Palandöken Mountain, Palandöken Ski Centre is a ski resort for alpine skiing and snowboarding.

The centre’s base stands at 2200 metres, and the top elevation is 3176 metres. There are plenty of reasons to make this centre perfect for both novice and experienced skiers, including:

The longest ski trail in Türkiye
Snow quality (a fine-grained light powder)
Steepness of the slopes

Palandöken Ski Resort features 8 chairlifts of varying sizes and a gondola lift, offering a total capacity of 8100 skiers per hour. In addition, 5 chairlift lines provide access to 22 pistes spread across diverse slopes within the skiable area.

At Palandöken Ski Centre, the skiing season usually begins in late October and, in higher regions, ends in the first weeks of May. Also note that accommodation is available at the hotels of the resort.

After indulging in pure ski joy, it’s time to wrap up your day with a delightful Erzurum speciality. For example, kadayıf dolması could easily liven up your taste buds. This Turkish dessert consists of shredded wheat rolled with walnuts, dipped in egg, fried, and sweetened with syrup.

Day 3

Your Day 3 is all about immersing yourself in the local heritage. Firstly, visit the Erzurum Museum in Yakutiye. In the museum, you can see fossils, seals, archaeological artefacts, ethnographic artefacts, and coins from various historical periods.

Moreover, visuals related to the Ottoman and Seljuk periods, the War of Independence period, folk dances, and the history of the Oltu Stone are exhibited in the museum.

After the museum, you should definitely visit Three Tombs, one of the most impressive monumental tombs in Anatolia. Believed to be built between the 12th and 14th centuries, these amazing structures exude the historical identity of the region.

Then, head over to the Twin Minaret Madrasa, a striking testament to Seljuk architecture. Boasting a distinctive aesthetic beauty with its Seljuk stone ornaments, it serves as a museum and exhibition hall.

Your next destination is Taşhan Bazaar in Yakutiye. It was originally built as a caravanserai and nowadays serves as a historic bazaar. In a nostalgic and authentic atmosphere, you’ll love shopping for souvenirs, jewellery, and accessories.

Last but by no means least, visit the Congress Building. It is where the Erzurum Congress of 1919, a key event in the Turkish War of Independence, was held. Today, it serves as the Erzurum Art and Sculpture Museum. Inside, you’ll encounter an impressive selection of paintings, sculptures, and art objects.