Sal Plateau

Description

It is an area in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize, known for its natural beauty.

Story

Sal Plateau, one of Çamlıhemşin's most characteristic and visually most symmetrical settlements, stretches like a fairytale village at approximately 2000 meters elevation, right next to Pokut Plateau. The most fundamental feature that distinguishes Sal Plateau from many other plateaus in the Black Sea is that its houses are arranged in order along the edge of a wide and smooth flatland. The stone and wooden mansions housing the most elegant examples of traditional Hemşin architecture are positioned to face the plateau's wide meadows. This place is like a balcony built by human hands in the midst of nature; on one side you have the steep Kaçkar peaks, on the other side the sea of fog that has settled over the Black Sea's deep valleys. Sal is a geography of peace where silence and aesthetics meet in their purest form. The plateau's wide flatland turns golden as the sun sets in the afternoon, and at these moments the bell sounds of the plateau residents' animals returning from the pastures become the only sound breaking the silence. Time at Sal Plateau works independently of the modern world's clocks; here life begins with the sunrise and is shaped according to the movement of clouds. The plateau's pristine nature, high-altitude meadows, and endemic flowers make this place not just a settlement but also a sensitive ecosystem. The approximately 15-20 minute forest walkway between Pokut and Sal offers visitors a mystical experience with light plays filtering through spruce and pine trees. The bond between these two sister plateaus also forms the foundation of the region's social and cultural fabric. For visitors, Sal Plateau is a breathing point away from the crowd in the heart of nature. The local breakfasts served in boutique pensions on the plateau, freshly milked milk, and cornbread fresh from the oven create the flavor memory of this journey. Sal's most enchanting moment is when the fog rising from the valley with the first light of morning reaches the threshold of the plateau houses and then slowly retreats. For photographers, these fog transitions and the wooden texture of the houses are an endless source of inspiration each season. Sal Plateau is the most beautiful expression of simplicity, traditional life, and respect for nature, petrified and woodenized. This is where the sky shakes hands with the earth in the most elegant way.

Visit Tips

• If you've driven up to Pokut Plateau, be sure to use the forest trail on foot to reach Sal Plateau; the scenery is enchanting.
• Most of the houses on the plateau are private property; it's important to respect the privacy of local people when taking photos or walking around them.
• Since the weather can suddenly close in and fog can set in, don't leave marked paths to avoid getting lost and bring a whistle or flashlight with you.
• Accommodation options on the plateau are very limited; therefore, you may need to make reservations months in advance for pensions.

Photos