Abstract:

In the traditional sense, the highlands are temporary rural settlements in the summer, with the aim of grazing animals or engaging in agricultural activities. In recent times, the highlands have changed a little shape and have been transformed into summer cottages where both animals are grazed and animals are rested. There are even a number of highlands used for recreate oneself. Transhumance activities are performed mostly in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions in our country. In the Black Sea Region, the highlands are mostly used for tourism and animal husbandry purposes, and in the Mediterranean Region, for the summer seaside, to get rid of the suffocating heat of the coastal zone, tourism and animal husbandry. Ecotourism is gaining increasing importance among alternative tourism types in recent years. Highland tourism is one of the most demanded among ecotourism activities. Gümüşhane is among the regions where traditional transhumance is common in the Eastern Black Sea Region. In the province, some of the dozens of plateaus in the district of Kürtün have recently started to gain tourism function. In this study, it is aimed to discuss the current problems and solution proposals by drawing attention to the increasing tourism potential of Kadırga, Kazıkbeli, Erikbeli and Güvende highlands. In addition to field surveys, 1 / 25.000 scale topography maps and semi-structured interview technique were used. Some data related to the study area were obtained by using GIS techniques. Kürtün highlands, suitable climatic features, superior landscape values, traditional life style and rural climbing, mountain climbing / climbing, horse-drawn nature trip, trekking, paragliding, flora / fauna review, jeep safari and so on.

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