Pigeon Valley ( Güvercinlik Vadisi ), just outside Goreme in Cappadocia, is one of Turkey’s most beautiful landscapes. The unique rock formations known as fairy chimneys, or peri bacalar, which are made from wind and water erosion on soft volcanic rock, rise high from the valley floor like chimneys and are dotted in their tops with birdhouses. Some reach at tall as 130 ft Pigeons live in these dovecoats carved into the rocks and cliffs. Years ago the pigeons were used to carry messages from this remote region, and their droppings have long been used by local farmers for fertilizer. Today, however, there are fewer Pigeons in the valley.
Pigeon Valley is a great place for hiking. The whole area around Goreme is made up of valleys with almost no fencing and there are well-marked trails. The mildly hilly trail through Pigeon Valley is free of charge and about 2.8 miles long running between Goreme and Uchisar.
Pigeon is ideal for walking as the trek is relatively easy. Within the valley are man-made caves which make for excellent exploration. Alternatively if walking is not your idea of fun, still head to the top of the valley at sunset where the vibrant orange colors moving down behind the mountains produce wonderful holiday pictures. The valley earned its name from the hundreds of pigeons that have made their homes in the rocks.
Pigeon Valley ( Güvercinlik Vadisi ) Goreme-Cappadocia
Very nice walk , about 1 hour if you take your time or if you are watching at the turtles on the way. Not difficult at all but there are not a lot of indications on the way and at the beginning. You can go one way by the pigeon valley and the other way by the love valley. Easier…
I walked the valley from Uchisar Castle down to Goreme with my two sons. The scenery was FANTASTIC! There are lots of side trails and we took one only to come upon a steep drop that was too dangerous for my sons to attempt so we turned back and hiked up to the main trail. Along the way we stopped…
Nice walk up the valley to The Castle for fabulous views over Goreme and Rose Valley, takes about 1 hour, if you don't get lost! We took a wrong turn and ended up against a cliff! Make sure to keep to the right when you reach a fork just out of Goreme, sign to Pideon Valley is pointing right, not…
you can experiance going to this mountain and look at the pigeon in their cave , you can walk and walk and after that take rest and have a delecious lunch and then buy nice sovenior from the shops their
If you go on an excursion to see the rock structures be warned that once you've seen one you've seen them all. Although the history is interesting you will find it repetative.
This is a valley walk that takes about hour and a half tops. Ignore the suggestions that it is not well signposted – it's a valley! You walk along the bottom and don't go up the sides – what coud go wrong? Very interesting rock formations, views etc all the way along. Walking up to the fortress at the top…
Great rock formations, and not a hard hike at all!
We went to Pigeon Valley to see dovecote. The Routard did not mention that the site was far away and rather difficult to access and that there was no indication. It is still interesting to visit the dovecote (these holes made in stone) and know the history associated with it.
A walk down Pigeon Valley is a must when in Goreme. So is a stop at Hassan's Tea House about halfway down the valley. Hassan is one of those traveller finds, a charming and funny man with great jokes, biscuits and tea.
In days gone by, the locals would maintain pigeon coops and use the droppings from the birds as fertilizer. There are thousands of pigeons in this valley. Fun to see.