Turkey

Hike in the Red valley

World of rocks from Göreme to Çavuşin

Pavel Szabo
Wrote 37 articles and follows him / her 10 travelers
(2 rating)
Hike in the Red valley
Inserted: 20.01.2014
© gigaplaces.com
Suitable for:
Hikers
They been there:
They want there:

The trip starting near the town of Göreme is very beautiful and offers incredible views of the surrounding rock formations, outlooks and many mysterious caves carved into the rocks. The destination is close historic town of Çavuşin, from where you can take a bus back to Göreme. The route is relatively easy and is suitable also for families with children.

Morning gathering of balloons

Look of the route leading around white rocks on the right. In season there are several dozens of balloons every morning that are waiting together with their tourists for a morning sunrise. We naturally expected that this area is famous for balloons, but we were literally shocked, how many of them there were. It was an incredible experience, even though we have not flown in a balloon.

Morning gathering of balloons
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Ancient civilizations and Christians

The whole area is varied thanks to recent eruption of Erciyes volcano, whose lava formed subsoil that created by erosion a beautiful bizarre rock formations. Ancient people permeated here and began to use the rocks by creating a network of tunnels, caves and complex units. The classic history estimates the cave tunnels to be several thousand years old. The biggest growth of this area has been after the arrival of the Christians in the 4th century AD, when monasteries began to be built here. The monastery drawings of the holy figures can be seen even today at completely deserted places and it is a real adventure for a passing tourist.

Ancient civilizations and Christians
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Cave

You can freely see the interior of many caves and explore them. There is one of them in the photo.

Cave
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Trails and corners

The path leading through the Red valley is very diverse. It threads in different defiles and you can see that also in this picture.

Trails and corners
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Hearsays and legends

One of the hearsays and legends says that this area was frequently visited by aliens or UFOs. Ancient people were hiding against them in the caves and built labyrinthine complexes to store their supplies. There is an episode devoted to this area in the documentary film Ancient Aliens and they mention here that up to several thousand people might have dwelt here.

Hearsays and legends
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Water and wind

Water and wind can sometimes do wonders. Even like this can look the detail of Kappadocian landscape.

Water and wind
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The entrance to the town Çavuşin

Çavuşin is one of the towns in the center of Cappadocia. You can find here many restaurants, shops, mosques, but also the ancient rock town towering directly above the town.

The entrance to the town Çavuşin
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Square in Çavuşin

Many shops with brightly colored fabrics and carpets, souvenirs, but you can also buy here typical sculptural reproductions of the most typical surrounding rock formations.

Square in Çavuşin
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Souvenir shops

Another interesting shop on the main street.

Souvenir shops
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View of the town

You can get to the ancient „castle“ above the town along several steps among the streets of the town. There are stunning views of the countryside from the top.

View of the town
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Surreal shapes

If you walk the opposite direction on the way down from the castle, views of very famous rock formations open. These caps emerged due to diverse layers of rock, where the upper parts are more durable than the layers beneath them. Who knows how long it will take before these caps landslide.

Surreal shapes
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Rock town

Another rock town.

Rock town
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Outside the town

At the main road linking Çavuşin and Göreme towers a majestic rock complex, which is also interwoven by ladders and many caves.

Outside the town
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Buses stop

Unusual marking of the bus stop where the bus heading to the starting town of Göreme regularly arrives.

Buses stop
Author: © gigaplaces.com
Applaud the author of the article!
Share it on:

Articles nearby

Distance 1 km
Visit of Göreme

Visit of Göreme

Distance 54 km
Ascent to Ercyies Dagi

Ascent to Ercyies Dagi

Distance 121 km
Tour of Sultahani Kervansarayı

Tour of Sultahani Kervansarayı

Distance 148 km
A tour of the volcanic field near Karapinar

A tour of the volcanic field near Karapinar

Distance 251 km
Two castles near Kizkalesi

Two castles near Kizkalesi

Distance 332 km
Trip to the Karpas peninsula

Trip to the Karpas peninsula

Distance 335 km
Golden beach

Golden beach

Distance 339 km
Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso)

Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso)

Distance 361 km
Ascent to Sivri Dagi

Ascent to Sivri Dagi

Practical information

Part of gigalist

Giga List: The most beautiful hikes in the world

In this overview you will find a very beautiful, the maximum one-day hikes from around the world. Not only during long treks, but… continue reading

The most beautiful hikes in the world
Part of gigalist

Giga List: The most beautiful trips in the east of Turkey

Most visitors to Turkey know only its coastal riviera in the south or west of the country, or the capital Istanbul. But the… continue reading

The most beautiful trips in the east of Turkey
Thanks!

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

Already rated by 2 travelers

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

You must be logged in to post a review or

Dagmar Titzová
04.02.2019 00:30
fine
Tomáš Hanzlík
29.08.2018 18:25
fine