The historical road connecting Trabzon to Iran-Azerbaijan, after leaving the Black Sea coast in the east of Trabzon, follows the Değirmendere Valley, passes the Zigana Mountains at an altitude of 2030 m and reaches the Harşit Valley. Gümüşhane and its surroundings are easily connected to Bayburt by this road, and then Erzurum is reached by crossing the second range of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains via the Kop Pass (2400 m). Further east, you can cross into Iran by following the natural path formed by the Aras Valley. Another road, branching off from this main road in Gümüşhane, crosses the mountains in the south, over the Sıpikor Pass, and connects the city to Erzincan and from there to other parts of the country. There is no exact information about the ancient history of Gümüşhane region and when the city was founded. However, it is known that the city settled in its current location after moving twice.
