Conquering the D915 (Bayburt-Of): Turkey's Most Extreme Road

# The D915: Turkey's Ultimate Mountain Challenge

Ready for one of the world's most intense driving experiences? The D915 in northeastern Turkey is absolutely not for the faint-hearted. This 106 km (65 miles) stretch connecting the mountain town of Bayburt to the coastal gem of Of in Trabzon Province is a thrilling (and seriously demanding) adventure through some seriously dramatic terrain.

Built by Russian soldiers back in 1916 following the Trebizond Campaign, this road winds through the Black Sea and Northeast Anatolia regions with a whopping 38 hairpin turns. The landscape here is stunning—we're talking mountain passes like Soganli Geçidi reaching 2,330 m (7,644 ft) elevation—but it comes at a price. The road is mostly unpaved with just bits of asphalt at the beginning and end, narrow in places, and features some spine-tingling drop-offs that'll definitely test your nerve.

Here's the real talk: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. The road closes from late October through June or early July due to heavy snow, and for good reason. Bad weather, fog, loose gravel, and erosion are constant threats. Heavy trucks rumble through here too, adding to the complexity.

The star of the show? The infamous **Derebaşı Turns** near Çaykara—a brutal 5.1 km (3.2 mi) section with 13 steep hairpins climbing from 1,712 m to 2,035 m, with gradients hitting 17%. It's considered the most dangerous stretch, frequently shrouded in snow and fog, but the views? Absolutely breathtaking.

**Bottom line:** Only experienced drivers should attempt this. Check conditions, avoid bad weather, stay alert, and remember—the spectacular views aren't worth taking unnecessary risks.