Cappadocia Rose Valley Tour

Rose valley is one of the most popular hiking destinations of Cappadocia. With its colourful rock formations and relatively easy trail, it attracts both experienced and new hikers. Rose valley is approximately 4,5 km long and depending on the pace and route it takes 2-3 hours from start to finish.

Red Valley Panorama: we start our hike from the higher point of the valley enjoying a beautiful vista. You can see Uchisar rock fortress which is the highest point of Central Cappadocia, the Pigeon Valley, the town of Goreme tucked in between the hills and the Swords Valley. Here, we see monumental multi-coloured volcanic tuff formation descending into the valley.

Rose Valley: we follow the trail walking through the vineyards, passing by the wild almond trees and observing the unusual rock formations up close, and it becomes obvious how the valley got its name.

Dovecotes: there is a lot of the famous rock-cut dovecotes and beehives made by the local farmers along the trail. Some of them are decorated with little murals dating back to the 19th century.

Cave churches: with a little detour I will show the hidden treasure of the Rose valley – the spacious cave church with columns that can only be found if you where to look. The more well-known Church with a Cross will also be a part of our itinerary. The frescoes here are well-preserved and present a rich example of Christian iconography. We will also explore the cave shelter behind the church, which has some interesting structures and a beautiful view.

Swords Valley: from that point, our trail goes slightly downwards and opens onto the panorama of the Swords Valley on the left and pink and white rocks on the right. We will pass by a couple of horse ranches and arrive in the village of Cavusin.

Cavusin: in this quiet village, we can have lunch or a quick coffee/tea break. We will need a bit of rest before we proceed to climb the abandoned rock settlement of Cavusin and a fascinating group of fairy chimneys hidden behind it.