Must-see Cappadocia valleys
Şehir Turu
The town of Avanos is set on the banks of the Kizilirmak, the Red River. The town is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Goreme. Avanos has a lively center with all the usual amenities including a modern, tourist-oriented hamam (Turkish Bath). A large travelling market visits Avanos on Fridays. We suggest a visit to Avanos for individual travelers on Fridays. This tented market has everything for the house, clothing, fruits and vegetables and more.
Starting just outside the shopping center the old village of Avanos winds up the hills leading away from the town and is a beautiful maze of old stone houses, some restored, some converted and some sadly abandoned to their fate. In some of the abandoned houses the features of traditional Ottoman architecture can be seen along with ancient decorations, motifs and murals.
Red RiverThe Kizilirmak (red) river (ancient Halys river) is the longest river in Turkey and it does not only separate the town from other parts of Cappadocia, but also gives the supplies the clay for pottery. It is by this river that the red pottery clay is found from which Avanos derives its main livelihood and its foremost claim to fame. Pottery has been produced in the Avanos area for centuries and some of the techniques still used date back to Hittite times to 2000 BC. The Hittites named the town "Zu Wanes" and it became "Venessa" during the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.
Avanos is a mass of family run potteries. These famous potters make wonderful souvenirs and are available at a wide range of prices from simple ashtrays and mugs to ornate plates and chess sets.
About 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Avanos is the underground city of Ozkonak and the beautiful 13th century Seljuk caravanserai, Sarihan is only about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the town center.
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Avanos
The town of Avanos is set on the banks of the Kizilirmak, the Red River. The town is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Goreme. Avanos has a lively center with all the usual amenities including a modern, tourist-oriented hamam (Turkish Bath). A large travelling market visits Avanos on Fridays. We suggest a visit to Avanos for individual travelers on Fridays. This tented market has everything for the house, clothing, fruits and vegetables and more.
Starting just outside the shopping center the old village of Avanos winds up the hills leading away from the town and is a beautiful maze of old stone houses, some restored, some converted and some sadly abandoned to their fate. In some of the abandoned houses the features of traditional Ottoman architecture can be seen along with ancient decorations, motifs and murals.
Red RiverThe Kizilirmak (red) river (ancient Halys river) is the longest river in Turkey and it does not only separate the town from other parts of Cappadocia, but also gives the supplies the clay for pottery. It is by this river that the red pottery clay is found from which Avanos derives its main livelihood and its foremost claim to fame. Pottery has been produced in the Avanos area for centuries and some of the techniques still used date back to Hittite times to 2000 BC. The Hittites named the town "Zu Wanes" and it became "Venessa" during the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.
Avanos is a mass of family run potteries. These famous potters make wonderful souvenirs and are available at a wide range of prices from simple ashtrays and mugs to ornate plates and chess sets.
About 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Avanos is the underground city of Ozkonak and the beautiful 13th century Seljuk caravanserai, Sarihan is only about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the town center.
Monks Valley
Pasabag in Cappadocia is located on the road to Zelve, coming from Goreme or Avanos. Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of a vineyard, hence the name of the place which means: the Pacha's vineyard. Pacha means "General", the military rank, in Turkish and it is a very common nick name. This site is also called Monks Valley. The name was derived from some cones carved in tuff stones which stand apart. Currently, there is a vineyard and a number of tuff cones standing right next to the road.
Some of these cones split into smaller cones in their upper sections, in which stylites and hermits once hid. The hermitage of Simeon monks was also here. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon (Simon), and a hermit's shelter is built into one of the fairy chimneys with three heads. The entrance of the cell is decorated with antithetical crosses. Saint Simeon was living in seclusion near Aleppo in the 5th century, when rumors that he made miracles started to spread. Disturbed by all the attention, he began to live at the top of a 2m high column, and later moved to one 15m in height. From there he only descended occasionally to get food and drink brought by his disciples. The hermits of Cappadocia distanced themselves from the world by cutting into fairy chimneys rather than living on top of columns.Pasabag, Cappadocia They hollowed out the chimneys from bottom to top creating rooms at 10-15m high.
Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia with twin and even triple rock caps. This style is unique even for Cappadocia and these fairy chimneys are named mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.
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Fairy Chimneys
Zelve YoluPasabag in Cappadocia is located on the road to Zelve, coming from Goreme or Avanos. Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of a vineyard, hence the name of the place which means: the Pacha's vineyard. Pacha means "General", the military rank, in Turkish and it is a very common nick name. This site is also called Monks Valley. The name was derived from some cones carved in tuff stones which stand apart. Currently, there is a vineyard and a number of tuff cones standing right next to the road.
Some of these cones split into smaller cones in their upper sections, in which stylites and hermits once hid. The hermitage of Simeon monks was also here. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon (Simon), and a hermit's shelter is built into one of the fairy chimneys with three heads. The entrance of the cell is decorated with antithetical crosses. Saint Simeon was living in seclusion near Aleppo in the 5th century, when rumors that he made miracles started to spread. Disturbed by all the attention, he began to live at the top of a 2m high column, and later moved to one 15m in height. From there he only descended occasionally to get food and drink brought by his disciples. The hermits of Cappadocia distanced themselves from the world by cutting into fairy chimneys rather than living on top of columns.Pasabag, Cappadocia They hollowed out the chimneys from bottom to top creating rooms at 10-15m high.
Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia with twin and even triple rock caps. This style is unique even for Cappadocia and these fairy chimneys are named mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.
Devrent Valley
DEVRENT VALLEY
the camel shaped rock in Devrent ValleyDevrent Valley, which is also known as Imaginary Valley and also as Pink Valley does not have cave churches like the other valleys of Cappadocia. There are no Roman castles or Roman tombs in Devrent Valley, either. Actually it was never inhabited. So what makes it so famous? The lunar landscape!
Devrent Valley (also spelled as Dervent Valley) reveals many different rock formations and is only a 10 minute drive from Goreme. The small fairy chimneys in the valley form a lunar landscape, or moonscape, by their strange look. The valley also has many animal shaped rocks. It looks like a sculpture zoo made by nature. Some of the most important, or the easiest seen animal shapes are camel, snake, seals, and dolphin. If you let your imagination run free you will find many others. It is like looking at clouds and seeing a dragon. There is even a rock pillar which looks like Virgin Mary, holding Jesus Christ.
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Devrent (Imaginary Valley)
no:1 devrent mevkiiDEVRENT VALLEY
the camel shaped rock in Devrent ValleyDevrent Valley, which is also known as Imaginary Valley and also as Pink Valley does not have cave churches like the other valleys of Cappadocia. There are no Roman castles or Roman tombs in Devrent Valley, either. Actually it was never inhabited. So what makes it so famous? The lunar landscape!
Devrent Valley (also spelled as Dervent Valley) reveals many different rock formations and is only a 10 minute drive from Goreme. The small fairy chimneys in the valley form a lunar landscape, or moonscape, by their strange look. The valley also has many animal shaped rocks. It looks like a sculpture zoo made by nature. Some of the most important, or the easiest seen animal shapes are camel, snake, seals, and dolphin. If you let your imagination run free you will find many others. It is like looking at clouds and seeing a dragon. There is even a rock pillar which looks like Virgin Mary, holding Jesus Christ.
Love Valley
Love Valley is found in the northern area of Cappadocia and is made up of wide valleys with unique rock formations spiking out of the sparse terrain. The valley gained its name from these rocks as they are commonly compared to be phallic in shape, with the rocks all around the valley having a faint pinkish hue to them. Walking the valley natural viewpoints make themselves apartment offering breathtaking and unforgettable views of Cappadocia.
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Love Valley
Love Valley is found in the northern area of Cappadocia and is made up of wide valleys with unique rock formations spiking out of the sparse terrain. The valley gained its name from these rocks as they are commonly compared to be phallic in shape, with the rocks all around the valley having a faint pinkish hue to them. Walking the valley natural viewpoints make themselves apartment offering breathtaking and unforgettable views of Cappadocia.
Red Valley
r of the rocks, it is one of the most stunning of the many valleys in the Cappadocia region. There are many opportunities for hiking, quad biking and horseback riding through the valley. Meanwhile Hot air balloons float over head as the sun rises in the early morning, you can watch from below or fly up in one yourself for a birds eye view of the incredible landscape.
Throughout the Red Valley there are many unique rock formations as well as man-made dovecotes and rock-cut churches decorated with original frescoes, although partially worn away by rain the frescoes are still visible on the stone walls.
This is a fantastic area for hiking with diverse flora and fauna, the valley is surrounded by grape vines and fruit trees and flower grow on the hills around small villages. Hiking trails begin in Cavusin, you can combine a walk through Red Valley with a visit to Rose Valley and continue hiking to a superb panorama viewpoint at the head of the valley, this is also also an ideal spot to watch the sunset. An alternative trail will take you through Red Valley to the Open Air Museum which hosts rock-hewn churches with well preserved frescoes, as well as troglodyte caves and fairy chimneys.
Red Valley
Kapadokya Yürüyüş Yolur of the rocks, it is one of the most stunning of the many valleys in the Cappadocia region. There are many opportunities for hiking, quad biking and horseback riding through the valley. Meanwhile Hot air balloons float over head as the sun rises in the early morning, you can watch from below or fly up in one yourself for a birds eye view of the incredible landscape.
Throughout the Red Valley there are many unique rock formations as well as man-made dovecotes and rock-cut churches decorated with original frescoes, although partially worn away by rain the frescoes are still visible on the stone walls.
This is a fantastic area for hiking with diverse flora and fauna, the valley is surrounded by grape vines and fruit trees and flower grow on the hills around small villages. Hiking trails begin in Cavusin, you can combine a walk through Red Valley with a visit to Rose Valley and continue hiking to a superb panorama viewpoint at the head of the valley, this is also also an ideal spot to watch the sunset. An alternative trail will take you through Red Valley to the Open Air Museum which hosts rock-hewn churches with well preserved frescoes, as well as troglodyte caves and fairy chimneys.
Üzengi Valley
The valley attracts everyone with its churches and multi layer dovecotes and it is one of the important racecourses of the region. According to the entrance pointi the beginning of the valley named as Gomeda and the last part named as Üzengi Valley. Gomeda comes from the historical remains at the entrance; Üzengi comes from the stream in the valley. Üzengi stream starts from south of Ortahisar and meets with Damsa Brook. Surrounding of the stream is a picnic area for people of Ürgüp because of its having mineral water springs and trees around. Walking direction in the Valley follows the direction of the stream.
In order to reach to the beginning point, you need to follow Ürgüp – Mustafapaşa road for 2700 Mt and then turn to right for Ayvalı Village. 2 Km later the parting way, next to the fountain on the right you will see another parting way. There is a sign board of “Gomeda Remains”. If you take this road and follow it for 1200 Mt, you will find a small parking area for your car.. After a short walking distance, you will be entering the valley.
Just before entering the Valley on your right, you will see remains of Alakara Church and unfortunately there is no sign board. The church reached its final shape by the enlargement of an old church, carved into rocks during the late periods. As you enter the Valley, 200 Mt later on your left you will see Saint Basilisk Church on the rockbound. The church has a signboard at the entrance and it is one of the rare churches reaching today and has frescos dating the period before icon lasting period.
You may take the Valley, which has dense flora, with a comfortable tempo in 4 Hours. Wearing long sleeves T-shirts will protect you against bushes and nettles. During the walking you will be following the stream and frequently you will cross the stream. Since the width of the stream is only 1 or 2 meters, it is possible for you to cross by jumping over or by the help of the trees over the stream. You may prefer water proof boots during spring and the period the water level rises. If the season is suitable do not forget to give breaks under cherry and plump trees.
As you start walking through the Üzengi part of the valley, you will see the fascinating dovecotes carved into the rocks. Some of the dovecotes have attractive decorations. To this part of the Valley during summer it is possible to reach by a car by taking the dirt road from Ortahisar Pancarlık Church. After the dovecotes the Valley becomes wider and lies down over the stream. Towards the exit of the Valley you will see on your left a mineral water spring. It is known as Üzengi fountain and its flow is half liter per second. Because of having more carbon dioxide, it is easy to drink the water, which has intensive sulphur smell. It is believed in that the water is good for liver and gallbladder problems, digestion failure and kidney ailments. Around 15 and 20 minutes from Üzengi Fountain, you will reach Ürgüp – Mustafapaşa asphalt and end your route. If you turn left to Ürgüp direction, afret 2.5 Km you will reach to Ürgüp.
Uzengi Valley
The valley attracts everyone with its churches and multi layer dovecotes and it is one of the important racecourses of the region. According to the entrance pointi the beginning of the valley named as Gomeda and the last part named as Üzengi Valley. Gomeda comes from the historical remains at the entrance; Üzengi comes from the stream in the valley. Üzengi stream starts from south of Ortahisar and meets with Damsa Brook. Surrounding of the stream is a picnic area for people of Ürgüp because of its having mineral water springs and trees around. Walking direction in the Valley follows the direction of the stream.
In order to reach to the beginning point, you need to follow Ürgüp – Mustafapaşa road for 2700 Mt and then turn to right for Ayvalı Village. 2 Km later the parting way, next to the fountain on the right you will see another parting way. There is a sign board of “Gomeda Remains”. If you take this road and follow it for 1200 Mt, you will find a small parking area for your car.. After a short walking distance, you will be entering the valley.
Just before entering the Valley on your right, you will see remains of Alakara Church and unfortunately there is no sign board. The church reached its final shape by the enlargement of an old church, carved into rocks during the late periods. As you enter the Valley, 200 Mt later on your left you will see Saint Basilisk Church on the rockbound. The church has a signboard at the entrance and it is one of the rare churches reaching today and has frescos dating the period before icon lasting period.
You may take the Valley, which has dense flora, with a comfortable tempo in 4 Hours. Wearing long sleeves T-shirts will protect you against bushes and nettles. During the walking you will be following the stream and frequently you will cross the stream. Since the width of the stream is only 1 or 2 meters, it is possible for you to cross by jumping over or by the help of the trees over the stream. You may prefer water proof boots during spring and the period the water level rises. If the season is suitable do not forget to give breaks under cherry and plump trees.
As you start walking through the Üzengi part of the valley, you will see the fascinating dovecotes carved into the rocks. Some of the dovecotes have attractive decorations. To this part of the Valley during summer it is possible to reach by a car by taking the dirt road from Ortahisar Pancarlık Church. After the dovecotes the Valley becomes wider and lies down over the stream. Towards the exit of the Valley you will see on your left a mineral water spring. It is known as Üzengi fountain and its flow is half liter per second. Because of having more carbon dioxide, it is easy to drink the water, which has intensive sulphur smell. It is believed in that the water is good for liver and gallbladder problems, digestion failure and kidney ailments. Around 15 and 20 minutes from Üzengi Fountain, you will reach Ürgüp – Mustafapaşa asphalt and end your route. If you turn left to Ürgüp direction, afret 2.5 Km you will reach to Ürgüp.
Sword Valley
Swords Valley is the second hotspot in Cappadocia after Goreme Open Air Museum, located on the opposite side. Here you’ll find group of churches. The valley is only accessible on foot and has about 2,5 km. hiking track.
Swords Valley is home to some of the best formations in Cappadocia that include churches, a 300 meters long tunnel, caves, fairy chimneys and more. The Kiliclar Church and Mother Mary Church are the two beautiful churches that worth a visit and see at the Swords Valley.
One of the features that makes Kiliclar Church a popular and important is one is that it has a fresco with 33 scenes from the Bible.
In the Virgin Mary Church, as the name suggests, you’ll see many Virgin Mary frescoes, but this church is closed for visits for security reasons.
Swords Valley has one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Cappadocia region. It is an ideal area and activity for hiking lovers. For walking out the whole valley, you’ll need about 1-2 hours. The walking trail will lead you to the Meskendir Valley and then you can reach the famous Cavusin Village.
The valley is also a popular stopping point for horseback riding and ATV Safari tours.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Swords Valley is situated in Goreme, between Goreme valley and Aktepe. About;
7,9 km. from Avanos
150 meters from Goreme
4,5 km. from Uchisar
8,5 km. from Urgup
Kılıçlar Vadisi
Swords Valley is the second hotspot in Cappadocia after Goreme Open Air Museum, located on the opposite side. Here you’ll find group of churches. The valley is only accessible on foot and has about 2,5 km. hiking track.
Swords Valley is home to some of the best formations in Cappadocia that include churches, a 300 meters long tunnel, caves, fairy chimneys and more. The Kiliclar Church and Mother Mary Church are the two beautiful churches that worth a visit and see at the Swords Valley.
One of the features that makes Kiliclar Church a popular and important is one is that it has a fresco with 33 scenes from the Bible.
In the Virgin Mary Church, as the name suggests, you’ll see many Virgin Mary frescoes, but this church is closed for visits for security reasons.
Swords Valley has one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Cappadocia region. It is an ideal area and activity for hiking lovers. For walking out the whole valley, you’ll need about 1-2 hours. The walking trail will lead you to the Meskendir Valley and then you can reach the famous Cavusin Village.
The valley is also a popular stopping point for horseback riding and ATV Safari tours.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Swords Valley is situated in Goreme, between Goreme valley and Aktepe. About;
7,9 km. from Avanos
150 meters from Goreme
4,5 km. from Uchisar
8,5 km. from Urgup