Timeline
16:17
Pick up a coffee or light snack in Esiroğlu before heading up. The monastery is a bit of a trek, so fuel up first. Check the route from the main D885 road if you are not driving.
16:47
Follow the winding lane from Esiroğlu towards Şimşirli. You will drive for about 2 km before the road turns into a rough trail. Park safely and leave the car.
17:17
Arrive at the monastery walls as the sun dips below the horizon toward the WSW. The light here is stark and beautiful. The site is teetering on a crag with cliffs and pitfalls around, so stay back from the edge, especially if there is fog or drizzle.
18:02
Head back down the trail to your car. The descent is easier than the climb, and you will have the darkening landscape to yourself.
Local tip
The final trail is rough and the site has significant drop-offs. Do not visit if the weather is foggy or drizzly, as visibility is poor and the cliffs are dangerous.
Check before you go
- The monastery is located on a crag with cliffs and pitfalls. Stay on safe ground.
- Avoid visiting in fog or drizzle for safety and visibility.
- The final 2 km from the main lane is a rough trail, not suitable for low-clearance vehicles.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Trabzon (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).