GOEZThe Talas to Erciyes motorcycle route is about 24 km of mountain road in Kayseri, Central Anatolia. It climbs from Talas via Hisarcık to the Erciyes ski resort on the slopes of Mount Erciyes, with around 38 wide corners. It's rated medium and takes about 36 minutes at a brisk pace.
Distance and corner count are approximate; use an up-to-date map for navigation.
Where is the Talas to Erciyes route?
Talas is a district on the edge of Kayseri, a large city in Central Anatolia. Mount Erciyes, a huge volcanic mountain, rises south of the city, and its ski resort is the end of this route. Kayseri is also a common gateway for visitors to Cappadocia.
If you're riding around Cappadocia, this route adds a proper mountain climb to a trip that's mostly about valleys and rock formations. Start in Talas, climb via Hisarcık to the resort, and enjoy the wide views back over the plain. For another mountain road in the catalogue, try Bolu to Lake Abant on the way to or from Istanbul.
What's the road like?
Compared with the forest roads in this list, the Erciyes climb feels open. The corners are wider and the views bigger, with around 38 corners spread over 24 km. What makes it a medium ride is the climb itself: the road gains height steadily, and both the air and the weather change as you go up.
Much of the upper road is exposed, so wind can be a factor. Visibility is usually good, which makes it easy to read the road ahead, but stay alert for gravel and changes in surface near the resort.
When to go
Late spring to early autumn is the riding season. Erciyes is a major ski area, so snow and ice are expected up high for much of the year, and conditions near the top can differ a lot from the city below.
Even on a hot summer day in Kayseri, it can be cold and windy at the resort. Bring a warm layer and gloves, check the forecast for the mountain, and ride in daylight.
Ride safe
- Expect it to be much colder at the top than in town; dress for the summit, not the start.
- Strong gusts are common on exposed sections — keep a relaxed grip and give yourself room.
- Watch for gravel, especially near the resort and car parks.
- Don't start the climb late in the day; the descent is no fun in fading light and cold.
Riding in Turkey for the first time? Read our practical tips for riding in Turkey and the motorcycle trip checklist.
Nearby routes
Make a longer trip of it with Bolu → Lake Abant and Ödemiş → Bozdağ, or browse all motorcycle routes in Turkey.
Ride it with GOEZ
Talas → Erciyes Ski Resort is one of the suggested routes in the GOEZ Routes tab. Bookmark it to keep it in Saved routes, and tap Ride it to start recording with the route's line on your map — see how Routes works.
When you're done, your ride summary shows distance, moving time, speed and how many corners you actually rode. Recording works offline, so a weak signal on the mountain doesn't matter — more on ride tracking.