Rose Valley

Made up of a number of smaller valleys, Rose Valley is famous for its otherworldly rock formations and world-class hiking opportunities. The valley trails provide a variety of levels of challenge, and there are plenty of walks that are suitable for beginners. For seasoned hikers, there are trails where you get to scale stone tunnels and climb down ladders. Either way, you’ll get to wander canyon bottoms and explore Cappadocia’s rocks at sunset when the valley turns blood red.
Valleys within the famous valley that’s named for its rose-hued rocks are Gulludere, Kizilcukur, Meskendir and Zindanonu. The most popular path in Rose Valley is a 3.5-km route that begins just outside the town of Goreme, but you could easily come back several times to explore new trails and catch sight of its hidden cave churches and abandoned rock houses.  

Practical Info

Summer in Cappadocia is hot, so if you’re coming in the middle of the year try to walk in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. Set between Goreme and Cavusin, there are a number of towns and villages that make good starting points if you’d like to head into Rose Valley on a hiking trip, including Cavusin, which is in the center of a number of trails, Goreme, Urgup, and Uchisar.