Mount Suphan
Mount Suphan is the third highest mountain in Turkey, following 5137 meters Ararat and 4135 meters Uludoruk. Suphan Mountain, with an altitude of 4058 meters itself, is a stratovolcano mountain located just north of Lake Van in the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis province in Turkiye. City of Bitlis is in the southeastern part of Turkey. In Bitlis area visitors may enjoy historical places like Bitlis Castle or visit local museums and a ski resort. Traveling along the region, a Suphan trip can cover a week involving some other peaks and natural wonders like historical spots, national reserves and the Lake Van in the same route. The region is popular for hot springs, national parks and Akdamar Church on the island in Van Lake. Also famous Mount Ararat is a few hours away, about 150 kilometers from Suphan. For a fulfilling adventure, it is an amazing option to discover multiple places here. Keep that in mind while planning your Suphan expedition.
Where is Mount Suphan?
Mount Suphan is within the borders of the small district of Adilcevaz. It is near the north shore of Lake Van, located between Adilcevaz, Erciş, and Patnos. As Mount Suphan is the third highest peak in Turkey, with 4058 meters altitude, after Great Ararat (5137 m) and Cilo Mountain (Uludoruk peak of 4135 m) it attracts may Turkish and international climbers every year. The mountain, a volcanic formation, ranks second among the volcanic mountains in Turkey in terms of height too. With a total height of 4058 meters, it is frequently preferred for hikes and climbing in both summer and winter. During winter climbs become quite technical. For beginners and less experienced groups, it is recommended to visit the mountain in milder conditions.
The best time for climbing Suphan is the season covering June, July, August, and September. Other dates may require a more advanced mountaineering approach, further knowledge and special equipment for the ascent. Geographically Mount Suphan, and cities of Bitlis and Van is within the Eastern Anatolian Region of Turkey. This area is a cooler part of Turkey compared to the Mediterranean region or the west coast of the country. Eastern Anatolia is regarded as inland parts and usually it gets snow on winter and has an average of 24 degrees (C) as the highest days on summer. Depending on the attitude there are local wild bushes and forests in the region for its cooler climate. There are many wild endemic plants and also agricultural areas in the Eastern Anatolian region.
How to Get to Mount Suphan?
Mount Suphan is located in Adilcevaz, a small district of Bitlis. Since it is the third highest and also one of the most prominent mountains in Turkey, Suphan is frequently preferred by visitors for its amazing views. Also, Lake Van, within 10 km to the mountain, provides amazing scenery with its vast ocean like waters and islands. Those who will arrive from outside the city must first come to Bitlis and then reach to Adilcevaz district. After getting to the area, visitors who come with their vehicle can easily find the mountain by following the signs. The road takes you first to Aydınlar Town and then to Kışkıllı Village. There are local tours and also car rental options as well.
From İstanbul you may prefer domestic flights to the region. There is no airport in Bitlis so a direct flight option is not available. But there are two, one in Van and another in Muş. First one is 8 kilometers to Bitlis but has few flights, and the second one is frequently used and 77 kilometers far which would take around an hour to get to Bitlis from Muş airport. And there are planned transfer services between those cities and the airports. It is recommended to check the latest flights and current transfer options before planning.
What are the Features of the Mountain
Mount Suphan is an extinguished volcanic mountain. It is not possible to say precisely when it was active. However, the researches suggest that the last eruption on the mountain occurred around 8000 BC. The highest point of the system is Sandık Tepe Peak. From this summit, the height of the mountain has been reported as 4058 meters. At this peak, there is a lava mound caldera with an average diameter of 1000 meters remaining from its active periods. Besides, there are large and small glacial lakes on the summit. Some lakes around are quite deep. Plus agriculture around the volcanic area is developed due to the fertile soils, the volcanic plains around the mountain are very rich.
The summit of the mountain is hidden behind a covered glacier. When viewed from the front, the covered glaciers create an incredible sight. At its peak, the historical Kırklar Cemetery creates a surprising resting place. Here it is believed to be the grave of forty martyrs. It is an essential place to visit and see for most of the climbers.
Mount Suphan’s volcanic history made the surrounding lands fertile but some volcanic plains here are not high at all. These fertile lands used for agriculture meet many precious water sources from the mountain too. These resources meet the water needs of the surrounding settlements very well. Water coming from the mountain goes to Adilcevaz, Ahlat, Malazgirt, and Patnos districts. One of the streams flowing from here feeds Aygır Lake too.
How Many Meters: The Height of Mount Suphan
The highest point called Sandık Tepe, this peak is just above 4 thousand meters (13 thousand feet). From this very summit point, the height of the mountain has been calculated to be 4058 meters exactly. The routes to the top vary from moderate to hard. There are steep routes that would cut the summiting time as short as 4 or 6 hours, but easier and less technical climbs may take around 15 hours. The numbers tend to change due to the weather conditions and the team for every climb individually. They are all to give an overall idea of the expeditions.
When to Climb Suphan?
Usually, climbers prefer summer for climbing Mount Suphan. However, experienced climbers can try the summit any day of the year including winter trips. According to the weather conditions and ground structure during the climb, if the weather window lets the team, some mountaineers conquer many peaks in the winter months in the area. With relevant equipment and preparation, any preferred date is available for Suphan adventures. For winter climbs and equipment requirements, local or Turkish support is highly recommended. There are guides with relevant information and possible options suitable for different seasons and climbers.
Mount Suphan Mountain Ski Tours
Mountain skiing on Mount Suphan is another exciting option in winter. If you are into mountain skiing this may attract you the most. The ski tours are done with experienced guides with regulations. You can also combine your climbing or hiking trip to involve mountain skiing activities. It is another way to enhance your trip to the area, discovering magnificent snow structure and the pleasures of the scenery here. Accompanied by mountain ski guide Suphan has a lot to offer to its visitors.
Activities
Mount Suphan is a suitable area for nature sports and is frequently preferred among active visitors. What to do on Mount Suphan? Looking for adventure and extreme sports, it is the right place. You can do many sports, such as mountaineering, touring, skiing, nature and mountain hiking, camping, offroad, and paragliding. This place is frequently preferred, especially for mountain climbing. The period from the end of June to July, August, and mid-September it is suitable for climbing. This may be taken as the mild season. On the other hand, adventurers who want to climb in winter conditions may prefer the dates from the beginning of March to the beginning of December. March – December period has harsher weather condition for exprienced climbers.
Here climbing tours carried out mainly on the eastern side and partly on the mountain’s south side. The east side is more suitable for climbing. Those who climb to the top usually start the climb from the village of Kiskilli in Aydınlar Town. A camp is set up in Şekerpınarı, at the plateau (or Suphan Plateau), which are 6 or 7 kilometers from there. The plateaus are located at an altitude of 2500 meters. The climb and then the return is completed around 8 to 10 hours in total. In some cases, this period can become 12 hours depending on the conditions and routes taken.
While climbing the mountain, many water sources, large and small craters, and glacial lakes can be seen on the way to top. Many natural beauties of the region are included. Lake Van can be seen from the top of the mountain and creates a gorgeous view. The famous lake is the biggest in the country. Also it is the biggest saline soda lake in the world with its 119 kilometers width. It is the 15th biggest lake on earth covering 607 kilometers. The eruption of Suphan has created this giant pool to bio diversity with its many islands.
Legend of Mount Suphan
The Legend of Mount Suphan is told to be the love story of of two. Two young lovers named Siyabent and Hace are madly in love with each other, and their desire is to get together, marry eachother. However, since their families are against this, these two lovers decide to run away. They meet at night at the skirts of Mount Suphan. They begin climbing to the summit of Mount Suphan.
On the climb, lovers have to rest because they are tired. While the lovers were resting on the cliff of Mount Suphan, Siyabent places his head on Hace’s knees. After a while, Siyabent falls asleep from exhaustion. At that moment, a herd of deer approaches them. The male deer, the herd leader, stops the herd as soon as he sees the two lovers. The stag does this so as not to disturb them.
The tears in Hace’s eyes, who witnessed all this, fall on Siyabent’s face. Siyabent gets up, asks why Hace is crying and sees the deer. Siyabent says to his lover, “I will find the deer that makes you cry and rip out its lungs and bring it to you.”
After a while, he comes to his lover with a deer on his shoulder. He takes action to lay the deer down and rip out its lungs with his knife. The deer dodges and kicks desperately. Siyabent falls off the cliff at that time. Seeing this, Hace couldn’t stand it, and she jumps off the cliff. What makes the legend different is that in the place where the two lovers fell, two roses bloom every year just after the snow melts. As its name indicates, this event is a myth. It is not very possible to make any comments about the truth.
The roses bloom after the snowy season, and birds sing. The legent carries that no one to interrupt the loved ones and their journey together. With the untamed scenery and pastoral beauty Suphan keeps its glory for ages. A popular destination for adventurers visiting East Anatolia still has a natural and untouched atmosphere.
You can follow the current weather conditions for Mount Süphan on this site.
The mountain of the mountains, Mount Ararat may also interest you. Please click to read.
