As everyone knows, Cappadocia is one of the most important regions of Turkey. It is the destination of choice for those who want to experience history and natural beauty at the same time. There are many places to visit — and among them are the valleys. The valleys to visit in Cappadocia are very numerous, and no trip to Cappadocia is complete without exploring them. In addition to the valleys we will describe here, there are also cave hotels with valleys of their own right at their doorstep. Among these hotels, we recommend the MDC Hotel.
Güvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley
This is the most eye-catching of the valleys to visit in Cappadocia. It is known that pigeon breeding began in this area in the 9th century. The local people discovered that pigeon droppings were especially useful for growing grapes, and so pigeons have been raised in the valley ever since. The valley also holds a waterfall, unknown to many, tumbling from a height of about 15 meters. The Pigeon Valley covers an area of roughly 4 kilometers, starting at Uçhisar and reaching all the way to Göreme.
Güllüdere (Rose Valley)
Just as in Cappadocia’s other valleys, in the Rose Valley we come across many monasteries, churches, and dwellings. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities such as nature walks and trekking. Along one part of the Rose Valley trail, which is divided into two sections, there are settlement areas where monks and priests once withdrew into seclusion. These settlements were carved into the rocks. Here you will find the Columned Church, the Church of the Cross (Church of Saint Agathangelus), the Church of Anna, the Ayvalı Church, and the Church of the Three Crosses.
Love Valley
Many long years ago, the place we now call Love Valley was actually a village, home to ten extended families. One day a quarrel broke out between two of the families living in the village; because of the feud the village split in two, and people stopped speaking to one another. One day, two villagers who had grown weary of the situation decided to take one young person from each of the two hostile sides and introduce them. The moment the young pair saw each other, they fell in love. When the feuding villagers realized what had happened, they did everything they could to separate the young couple, but they did not succeed. In the end, they decided to let the couple marry. Time passed, and the couple had a child. But even this was not enough to reconcile the feuding families. In the end, they killed the young man. The poor girl could not bear her husband’s death and took her own life. After the death of the two lovers, it is said that God rained down stones to punish the people living in the village. These stones killed everyone who had opposed the lovers’ union. According to legend, the couple’s spirits still visit the area often and speak with the children.
Such is the story behind the valley known as Love Valley, the Valley of Lovers, or Bağlıdere. But the story is not the only impressive thing here — so is the valley itself. For those wanting to take a balloon tour, this is also the most beautiful spot. With their aesthetic forms and beauty, the fairy chimneys add still more charm to Love Valley.
Zemi Valley
This is one of the longest trails in Cappadocia. About 5,600 meters long, the Zemi Valley takes its name from the Zemi Stream that flows through it.
As you explore the valley, you will encounter plum, mulberry, cherry, pear, apricot, sour cherry, and hazelnut trees. Along the way you will also come upon the Cistern Church, the El Nazar Church, the Karabulut Church, Görkündere, and the Hidden Church.
Paşabağ Monks Valley
It is also known as Paşabağ Valley or the Valley of the Monks, though its most common name is Zelve Valley.
What sets the area apart is that in ancient times monks withdrew into seclusion here. When you go and wander through it and witness the silence and peace all around, you cannot help but see the monks’ point.
The surroundings are dotted with many mulberry trees and grapevines. You may also come across people keeping bees.
Devrent Valley
Its other name is the Valley of Imagination. This is because the shapes of the fairy chimneys found here resemble the forms of animals and people. The most interesting and attention-grabbing fairy chimney in the Valley of Imagination is the one shaped like a camel. True to its name, the Valley of Imagination sets everyone dreaming, making you feel as if you were in an entirely different land and age.
Kızılçukur Valley
It is also known as the Red Valley. It is formed of red tuff rocks, and at sunset this redness deepens into a shade that leaves onlookers spellbound. Because it has so many recesses and outcrops, it can be a little difficult to explore.
Along the way you will encounter several tunnels. The longest of these intriguing tunnels measures about 37 meters.
Pancarlık Valley
Its most enchanting feature is that the rocks here display the tones of several different colors.
The first thing that comes to mind at the mention of the Pancarlık Valley is the Pancarlık Church found here, every bit as enchanting as the other churches of Cappadocia.
Gomeda Valley
The valley takes its name from the Gomeda Ruins. It contains a great many seemingly endless tunnels — and the insides of these tunnels are pitch dark. One of these caves was used in old times as a place for collecting rainwater; today it is used for irrigating the poplar trees.
The Gomeda Valley receives fewer visitors than the other valleys, and the thinking is that this is because the fairy chimneys we see so abundantly in the other valleys are rarely encountered in Gomeda.
It is estimated that there are around 600 dwellings here, along with 2 churches and 1 underground city. In its day, Greeks lived here.
According to legend, the Gomeda Valley was a haunt of fairies. It was also the battlefield of the wars between good and evil. As the story goes, evil lost the war and, descending into the depths of a cave in the valley, fell into a long sleep. It will awaken only when goodness has been completely wiped from the face of the earth.
The valley’s caves are quite eerie. So much so that in 2007 the Turkish director Tan Tolga Demirci shot a horror film in this valley and named it Gomeda.
The Gomeda Valley holds a very important place among the valleys to visit in Cappadocia.
Ihlara Valley
In old sources its name appears as Peristremma. It holds an important place among the canyons of the world and contains hundreds of churches, several of which are open to visitors.
The greatest feature distinguishing the Ihlara Valley from the other valleys is that, in ancient times, it was the largest valley in which people lived. The Melendiz river also flows through here. The valley’s magnificent nature is one of its most striking features: it boasts a lush, magnificent expanse of vineyards and orchards, along with many churches.
