8 short but nice Cappadocia hikes

8 short but nice Cappadocia hikes

Our selection of quick Cappadocia hikes explores some of the world's most bizarre and fascinating landscapes

Hiking around Cappadocia in Turkey is a unique experience that offers some of the most surreal landscapes in the world. There are numerous options available, from short walks to full-day hikes and beyond. Below we take a look at some short but sweet Cappadocia hikes that offer excellent vantage points with exceptional views.

We rented a car and explored the trails on our own. If you prefer, you can book a Cappadocia hiking tour that covers all the points listed below. Voyager balloons offer customized itineraries and are a great option if you don't have transportation.

Maps for our Cappadocia hikes

We used a Cappadocia hiking map and an area map to plan our routes in advance (the red numbers on the maps correspond to the hikes below). A detailed topographic map is not necessary as the trails are signposted, usually short and rarely far from civilization.

alt="cappadocia-hiking-map">The red numbers on the map correspond to the hikes below

However, make sure you take plenty of water, sunscreen, a decent sun hat, a compass and a fully charged phone in case of emergency. We recommend that you inform your accommodation of your destination, route and planned return. It's also worth setting off early in the morning to beat the heat of the day.

We've created the Google map below with valleys and points of interest marked - something we wish we had seen when exploring the area.

1. Pigeon Valley (Güvercin Vadisi)

Duration: 1-2 hours Distance: 4.1 km (2.5 miles)

alt=“Cappadocia hikes – 1 Pigeon Valley 1″>Atlas & BootsThe view from the beginning of the path to Uçhisar Castle

One of the best Cappadocia hikes can be combined with the Love Valley (Bağıldere Vadisi) Trail below. You can start in the town of Göreme and hike towards the ever-present and looming Uçhisar Castle.

The valley route passes along high cliffs and through a tunnel before ending at the foot of the castle, which you can visit for impressive views (entrance fee: 6.5 TL / 3 USD). Along the way, the path forks in several ways and several times, but they all eventually lead to Uçhisar Castle.

alt="Cappadocia hikes to Uchisar Castle">Atlas & BootsLooking down from Uçhisar Castle along the valley

If you start at Uçhisar Castle and go through the tunnel and the main valley path, you will come to the hiking trail that leads to the Valley of Love (signposted) near Göreme.

2. Valley of Love (Bağlıdere / Bağıldere Vadisi)

Duration: 1-2 hours Distance: 4.1 km (2.5 miles)

alt=“Cappadocia hikes – 3 Valley of Love 1″>Atlas & BootsLove Valley is aptly named given the phallic-shaped rock formations

Assuming you start from the Pigeon Valley Trail near Göreme, the route follows the main road out of town before returning through Love Valley.

The valley is aptly named due to the phallic-shaped rock formations. The trail ends as soon as you leave the valley and hit the paved road. From here you can walk to Çavuşin (15 min) or drive back to Göreme (40 min).

alt=“Cappadocia hikes – 4 Valley of Love 2″>Atlas & BootsThe trail ends when you hit the paved road

3. Red Valley (Kızıl Vadisi)

Duration: 1-2 hoursDistance: 2-5km (1-3mi)

alt=“Cappadocia hikes – 5 Red Valley”>Atlas & BootsThe valleys change color throughout the day

The Rose and Red Valleys get their names from the pink rocks, which vary in hue and intensity depending on the time of day. The trailhead starts right at the Göreme Open-Air Museum across the street and offers two different routes through the Red Valley.

alt=“Cappadocia Hikes – 6 Red Valley 2″>Atlas & BootsVineyards surround the valleys

One is a longer, winding route with more to see, the other is more direct. The hiking trails are clearly signposted with the different distances so you can decide which one you want to choose. There are many excellent rock-cut churches and viewpoints along both routes. Both routes leave you near the Rose Valley, so it's worth combining the two Cappadocia hikes.

4. Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi)

Duration: 1-2 hours Distance: 4-5 km (2.5-3 miles)

alt=“Cappadocia hikes – 8 Rose Valley Çavuşin 2″>Atlas & BootsÇavuşin, where the path ends

The winding route through the accordion-laced Rose Valley is also one of the most popular hikes in Cappadocia. As in the Red Valley, there are many rock churches as well as vineyards and even a small café at Üzümlü Church. There is also an excellent viewpoint of the sunset over the valley near Çavuşin, where the trail ends.

5. Zemi Valley (Zemi Vadisi)

Duration: 2-3 hours Distance: 6 km

alt="Hikes in Cappadocia – 9 Zemi Valley">Atlas & BootsThe Zemi Valley Trail passes fairy chimneys, cave systems and rock formations

The circular route begins between the Göreme open-air museum and the tourist hotel. Follow the signs up the valley toward El Nazar Church (which you can visit for 5TL/2USD), continue along the trail, then follow the signposts as the trail skirts fairy chimneys, cave systems, and rock formations.

The El Nazar church and therefore the path are very popular and can be busy at any time of the day, especially on weekends.

6. Sword Valley (Kılıçlar Vadisi)

Duration: 1 hour Distance: 3 km

alt="Cappadocia hikes 10 Sword Valley from Göreme">Atlas & BootsThe Sword Valley Trails start at the Göreme Open-Air Museum

A short and sweet hike with two well-preserved rock churches along the way. The starting point is opposite the entrance to the Göreme Open Air Museum. From the parking areas along the way, you can descend into the valley to join the Red and Rose Valley trails and end in Çavuşin.

7. Zelve Valley (Zelve Vadisi)

Duration: 1-2.5 hours Distance: 1.5-8 km (1-4.5 miles)

alt=“Cappadocia Hikes 11 Zelve Valley – 2″>Atlas & BootsThe Zelve open-air museum is better and bigger than the one in Göreme

The Zelve Open Air Museum is located about 10 km from Göreme on the Avanos Road. Once home to one of the region's largest communities, it is an amazing cave city dotted with homes and rock-cut churches.

We recommend a walk around the open-air museum (1.5 km / 1 mi) before continuing to the Paşabağ Fairy Chimneys in Monks Valley (6.5 km / 4 mi) with their striking stone cones.

alt=“Cappadocia Hikes 11 Zelve Valley – 3″>Atlas & BootsThe fairy chimneys of Paşabağ in the Monks Valley have a distinctive cone shape

8. IHLARA Valley (IHLARA Vadisi)

Duration: 2-6 hours Distance: 3.5-14 km (2.2-8.7 miles)

alt="Cappadocia walks through the Ihlara Valley">Atlas & BootsIhlara is more lush than the other valleys in the region

Hiking the entire trail between Ihlara village and Selime is a rural and rustic day trip. Most visitors come on a tour and walk up to a short section to the (several) stone churches, so the rest of the path is often deserted.

The valley is also much greener than the surrounding Cappadocia hikes, as the Melendiz River flows along the valley floor, bathing the gorge in opulent blues and greens along the way. The total length of the valley is 14 km (8.7 miles), but can be broken down depending on the starting point:

• 5 km (2,2 Meilen): Beginnen Sie am Haupttor im Dorf Ihlara und gehen Sie bis zum Dorf Belisirma
• 7 km (4,4 Meilen): Beginnen Sie am Anfang des Tals und gehen Sie bis zum Dorf Belisirma
• 14 km (8,7 Meilen): Beginnen Sie am Anfang des Tals und gehen Sie entlang des Flusses bis zum Selime-Kloster

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• alt=“Kappadokien Wanderungen – 7 Rosental Çavuşin“>
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Cappadocia hikes: the essentials

What: Short hikes in Cappadocia around Göreme National Park.

Where: We stayed at the Esbelli Evi Hotel in Ürgüp, which offers 10 spacious suites and four standard cave rooms that utilize the original caves along with traditional carved stone vaulted rooms. There are several stone terraces with expansive views of the Cappadocian countryside and the city of Ürgüp – perfect for a late afternoon drink after a day of exploring.

The hotel has a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere that ensures a relaxed, authentic experience. The hotel also offers many modern touches (laptops for guests and free WiFi throughout the hotel) as well as free fresh coffee, snacks and cold drinks throughout your stay.

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The small town of Ürgüp is quieter and more charming than the more popular and touristy Göreme. Ürgüp has a handful of restaurants as well as hammams and a number of souvenir and craft shops. Our favorite restaurant was the delightful Dimrit Café and Restaurant.

When: The best time to travel to Cappadocia is spring (April to mid-June). Summer can be unbearably hot, while winter can cause snow! Autumn (mid-September to October) is also a good option, but the days are shorter and the chance of rain is higher.

How: Since we were traveling independently, it made sense to rent a car ($35 per day) for the duration of our stay as we wanted the freedom to explore all the different sights in Cappadocia.

The hotel arranged everything for us and the car was delivered to us on our first morning. We returned the car to the local airport (Nevşehir Kapadokya) on departure, which was perfect as we were flying back to Istanbul before catching our flight back to the UK. The airport is a 45-minute drive from Urgüp.

To get to Cappadocia, high-speed trains and buses are available. High-speed trains connect Istanbul with Ankara and Konya via Eskişehir. From Konya you can continue to Cappadocia by bus or rental car (232 km; 4 hours). Further information and booking options can be found on the Turkish State Railways website.

An overnight bus from Istanbul is the cheapest way to get to Cappadocia for around 85 TL (30 USD), but it is a long journey of 730 km (454 miles) that takes 10-12 hours. Several companies operate night buses, including Metro Turizm and Nevşehir Seyahat.

There are domestic flights between Istanbul and Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV). We paid $50 for a one-way flight back to Istanbul. Ataturk Airport in Istanbul is international and has connections to a number of domestic destinations throughout Turkey. Book through Skyscanner to get the best prices on international and domestic flights.

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Lonely Planet Turkey is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

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