East Pontus Mountains

South of Trebizond, the eastern Pontic ranges form a steep wall between the Black Sea and the Anatolian interior. Heavy rain feeds streams on the seaward slopes, where broad-leaved and coniferous forests climb toward the high pastures. Farther east the Kaçkar peaks bear traces of ancient glaciers. Passes across the ridges connect the coastal valleys with inland roads, though snow and rugged ground make travel difficult.