One cannot be in Cappadocia and not go for a hike.

Well, not in our case away. As avid hikers, we are always on the lookout for cool and interesting trails and the perspective of hiking the Rose Valley was something we could not pass.

Sometime called the Pink Valley, the Rose Valley sits between the Göreme and Çavuşin villages. A large valley cut in by smaller ones, it’s aptly named after the color of its rocks. The warm hues vary constantly, depending on the time of day, season and weather, and making the area a photographer’s paradise. Hiking through the valley is not only the chance of admiring amazing landscape, but also to go through history, with a trove of cave churches and houses dating back hundreds of centuries ago.

Hiking the Rose Valley

The Rose Valley offers hiking options for all levels, from easy to difficult, and an average 2 to 3-hour hike (3 miles / 4.5 km). The valley is divided into two main trails – Güllüdere I and Güllüdere II, linking Aktepe Hill (Sunset Point or Panoramic Viewpoint) north of Ortahisar up to Çavuşin about 4 to 5 km away depending on the trail taken. Both trails depart from a stone marker just after stepping in from Aktepe Hill, both offer side access to cave churches along the way. Güllüdere I had our preference though as it also offers some of the best views, whereas Güllüdere II stays lower in the valley.

The stone marker actually lists a third trail, the shortest trail to Çavuşin with just barely 4,164 m, but this is also the one with the less churches and few views. Speed over history.

Going along Güllüdere I, we went through gently rolling paths carved along hoodoo-like sculptures, reaching up some plateaux with endless views of the Rose Valley and deep into the landscape of Cappadocia. The rocks are made of consolidated volcanic ash, or tuf, which make them both soft to carve but rough under the touch. We were glad we had started the hike relatively early as the day was getting hotter by the minutes. June, together with July and August, has full-summer temperatures and it can be scorching hot during the afternoon – not recommended for hiking.

The Cave churches of the Rose Valley

We arrived shortly to one of the better known cave churches around – Hacli Church. Known as the Hacli Kilise or Church with the Cross. The Cross Church is now easily accessible by a flight of stairs, a much safer option than its original setting once very difficult to get into. Taking its name from a huge cross on the ceiling, historians think this was carved sometime in the seventh century, while the current colorful frescoes are estimated to date from the 10th century. As you are entering the church, nothing prepares you for the delicate artworks, amazed to find such detailed paintings in such a bare moon-like landscape. Standing here, admiring the frescoes and thinking about the dedications of believers past in the silence of the valley was truly a spiritual experience.

Hacli Church is sometime mistaken for Üç Haçlı Kilise, The Church with the Three Crosses, which is also in the surrounding valley.

Thanks to the popularity and location of the Hacli Church on the trail, the cafe is now available at the bottom of the Church, offering a welcome rest into our morning for thirsty hikers like us. Even with the temperatures becoming increasingly hotter, I decided for a hot sweet tea. Seated under a small lounge area fitted with comfortable pillows and shaded by fleeting curtains, we savored that short break while savoring the surrounding scenery.

Carrying over our hike, we reached a higher plateau, with sweeping views of the Valley. We were the only ones of the trail, making the moment very special. With 360-degree views, we felt we were alone in the world.

Too soon we had to head towards the end of the trail but not before we descended into a steep and narrow gully. With tuf being so fragile, it can turn into small sand like gravel, which made the descend rather tricky. Luckily ropes were readily available, helping hikers to keep their pace and position steady. I could not imagine hiking this part under a rainy day, it would have turned the area quite interesting.

This was the last hilly section before reaching the actual valley floor, where we started to see some farmed fields, habitations and an old cemetery. We were back to civilization.

Rose Valley Hiking Details

Where: Rose Valley, Cappadocia
– Starting from Aktepe Hill and ending in Çavuşin

Distance: 3.1 miles (5 kms) over Güllüdere I trail

Difficulty: moderately strenuous due to the potential tricky trail composition

Duration: 2-3 hours in the early morning

Activity: Hiking

Map: Cappedocia Hiking Map (Courtesy of New Goreme Tour)

We were accompanied with a guide and driver which made the one-way hike a breeze, leaving us at Aktepe Hill and picking up in Çavuşin

Having a guide was great as we had no map of the area. As I was writing this blog, and researching for maps to share, it became very clear that there is no real official map available (or that I could find of). The Avanos Vadileri (managing the project to develop trekking around thr Avanos Valleys) is definitely working on developing hiking in the region and we did come across nice distance signs while we were hiking. One can only assume that future development will include more comprehensive maps for the independent travelers not relying on guides.

Want to read more about Turkey? Check our posts about Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia, tasting traditional Turkish cuisine, walking down history in Ephesus, or watching the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony.

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