Best of Turkey Hikes - Hiking in Cappadocia

The usual tourist circuit in Cappadocia visits the triangle formed by Goreme, Avanos and Urgup, but just of this well beaten path there are beautiful, yet easy day hikes and walks that let you explore the tufa formations and also enjoy vistas of this volcanic land of 'fairy chimneys'.

Sample 3 days of walking tours in Cappadocia

(Day 1) From near Ortichar, walk down to the Göreme Open Air Museum, a concentration of monasteries and cave churches. Visit the museum, and then continue down by way of ‘Love Valley’ to Göreme. Lunch near Uchisar, then hike down the gorge linking the castle hill with Göreme. Return to hotel

(Day 2)- Hike from Kizilcukur (Red Valley) down to Cavusin village, stopping to see the frescoes in ruined churches along the way. Visit Devrent Valley and its provocative formations and Pasabaglari for short hikes. Visit pottery and carpet factories in Avanos for demonstrations. Overnight in Cappadocia. Dinner will be in Cave Restaurant with Turkish folk-dance show.

(Day 3) - Hiking in the tufa gorge of the tree-shaded river that carved the Ihlara Valley, we’ll visit several of the churches hidden in the towering canyon walls. After lunch in Beliserme, continue up the valley. Finish the day with a tour of an underground city, which descends more then twelve stories underground. Return to hotel

Here are the details from one of our tours to Cappadocia:

21 Sep Friday Mustafapasha - Goreme - Urgup

Slept in to start about 9:30. Visited the Goreme Open Air museum. Large crowds today, with waits at most churches. A sign at the Shod Church told us “3 kings, tie their horses, show their souvenirs” Outside museum grounds, the Church of the Buckle is open again – newer frescoes, ca 11-12 century with more blue paint surviving and better figures.

Stopped at Carpedocia, new carpet factory near Ortahisar, and had a great show, which somehow convinced us we needed more carpets. Finished in Urgup

22 Sep Saturday Mustafapasha & Cappadocia

Left around 9 for Kizilcukur hills. We took the path not taken last time, following the lower section, still taking just over an hour. Pretty, and very different from the upper pathway. More small plots of local farmers, lots of grapes, apple trees. Didn’t have the basilica of the other trail, but we found a large hole/ledge in the walls, with a steep tunnel and steps leading up to it. From there could explore along a ledge and then several short tunnels, or in back through several rooms and chambers, climbing up another steep series of steps to another level. Mostly dark, but often with holes conveniently dug out to bring in light. Ended at Cavusin as before, and stopped for tea at the local hangout – talked through Lutfi with several of the old men there (80 & 76) who we had met previously just after 9/11. Watched with them as a coupla tour busloads of Germans went by. Haven’t seen an actual temperature reading, but it’s probably in the mid 80’s, or perhaps higher. Very dry, but not uncomfortable in the shade, and cooling off nicely in the evening.

On to Kaymakli Explored the underground city, including the dark passage (with one small flashlight). Then stopped briefly at Devrent on the way back to the hotel. Dinner in the hotel again tonight,