Gulludere small vineyards are surrounded by steeply eroded walls of tuff. The tuff was deposited in the form of ash by nearby volcanos between 11 and 3 million years ago.
The trails that loop around Gulludere Valley ( Rose Valley ) are easily accessible to all levels of walkers and provide some of the finest fairy-chimney-strewn vistas in Cappadocia. As well as this though, they also hide fabulous, little-visited, rock-cut churches boasting vibrant fresco fragments and intricate carvings hewn into the stone.
With its tufa hills creased into folds, surrounded by vineyards and orchards, and fairy chimneys of all sizes standing like stone minarets in an extraordinary natural landscape, the Gullu Dere Valley is a remarkable sight. The valley is dotted with hidden chapels decorated with beautiful frescoes, such as the 7C Church of Three Crosses, which houses a Christ Pantocrator flanked by angels, and the 8C-9C Church of St John, adorned with a portrayal of the Apocalypse.
Follow the signs from the Gulludere Valley trailhead to the Kolonlu Kilise (Columned Church). The rock facade here is easily overlooked. Take the trail through the orchard and the steps that lead off to the left to clamber onto the nondescript rock face. Once you’ve scrambled through the entrance and the lower chamber you’ll find a white stone nave studded with sturdy columns carved out of the rock. From here, backtrack through the orchard and follow the main trail to the Haçlı Kilise, where the shady cave-cafe at the entrance is the perfect pit stop for a walking break. The church, accessed by a rickety wooden staircase, has frescoes dating to the 9th century on its apse and a large cross carved into its ceiling. Head north from here and take the right-hand path to reach the Üç Haçlı Kilise, with its stunning ceiling relief and damaged frescoes featuring an enthroned Jesus.
One of the nicest and most most beautiful places to go walking in Cappadocia in Gulludere Valley . Start at Sunset point (near Ortahisar) and hike down through first Red Valley and then continue on the Gulludere Valley.
From the end of Gulludere Valley you can either walk to the nearby Cavusin Village. There you can visit the old part of the village which is crumbling away and too dangerous to still be inhabited because of the chance of falling rocks. Or you can continue on the Goreme (around another 45 minutes walk).
Gulludere Valley,
The views were spectacular. We took about 4 hours to do this hike with our 2 kids (ages 8 and 9). They loved climbing into the caves. Well worth it. The entry to this trail starts after you pass the Open Air Museum.
Make sure you do this on camel-back to make it an extra-unforgettable experience. Takes you away from the tourists and into a little bit of "amazingness".
Serious hikers may not want to hear this, but we rented four wheelers and got to see Rose Valley, as well as a number of incredible and memorable stops. Rose valley is an amazing area where you can see rose colored sands and geological features. Spectacular. Whether you hike, ride a motorcycle or take a quad. Go.
Close to Love valley we drove to it on our ATVs and enjoyed the beautiful sunset seeing the different shades of red on it.
After going to the open air museum, follow the path to the Rose Valley…. The walk is amazing! Take good shoes, a light snack, water, and a flashlight if you are planning to enter some of the caves.
We explored it on an ATV and had a fantastic day! You can explore rock churches and little caves, and the rock formations are fantastic.
Don't be frustrated if you don't find a hiking map or if you get confused by conflicting directories. It's part of the game – and you can't get lost. Just walk in the direction of the red-colored mountain, and you will find a most bizarre landscape of rock scupltures and rich valleys. It's amazing and definitively worth a couple of…
This hike was not very challenging,but it was nice and long and comfortable in early September. We had a guide who told us about the "Pigeon Caves" which were used to collect pigeon droppings which are then used as manure. It was a bit crowded during the time we went, but then that was peak tourist season.
It was sunny and hot, so bring comfortable shoes, a hat and plenty of water and enjoy immersing yourself in the beautiful valley. Be sure to stay on the path and you will find yourself passing through 3 small cafes. We sat down and had orange juice at the first cafe, Natural Cafe, and met the owner Yilmaz who was…
Having done Pigeon, White, Love and parts of Zemi and Iciri Dere, I hereby pronounce Rose as my favourite. The details – seems most people do this from south to north, leaving Goreme and heading up to Cavusin.