Iran/Turkey winter crossing?
 

Is it possible to ride from Iran to Turkey in winter? Or are the roads blocked by ice or snow?

Thanks!

Pierre (& Merritt too)
http://www.photobiker.com

Hi Pierre and Merrit too!

Lots of Snow and Ice...Very cold..Ezerum was minus lots when I was there November last year. You would be better to cross in the south, not via Dogboyuazit to Tabriz. Lots of road accidents etc. The roads around Kars near border with Armenia closed due to snow.

see the photos at

http://member.netlink.com.au/~asimps...ranTurkey.html

South of Turkey will be nice and warm. But after you finish with the mediterranean coast line, you will hit the cold zone. The eastern part of Turkey is a high plateu and you will have lots of cold wheater and snow. The road crew keeps the roads open but riding on ice and storm will not be nice.
Maybe if you watch the wheather and try to aviod snow sotrms, and if you have very strong outfit and possibly electric vests, you may do this.
Best of lucks

I would say that electrics are a requirement, it´ll be raining quite a bit on the coastal highway although if you´re on a bike with good wind-protection you might be fine. It is a very nice road from Marmaris to Adana, a bit of roadwork on the bit west from Antaliya and the bit from Antaliya to Adana is very very very slippery in the rain. Not much better than wet ice.

Is there likely to be snow on the west coast of Turkey at this time of year? I want to cross from Syria to Europe and am keen to avoid the snow.

Matt, The west coast is fine, and the south. As Burak says its when you get on the high plateau that its cold. Greece and south middle italy are fine but crossing the ranges are cold. Its pretty quiet along the coast, In Turkey go to Kekova, the nicest coastal town in Turkey..no highrise. I was swimming near Antalya after the worst snow storm I had ever seen in Ezerum. I bourght handle bar mits in Istanbul.