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
After visiting the Uchisar castle we managed to find the starting point of the path through the Piegon Valley that leads to centre of Goreme. It was a really lovely walk, with plenty of photo opportunities, away from the crowds. We had the whole valley to ourselves! Definitely worth visiting..
We did not walk this but stood at the top at Uchisar and then on the Panoramic viewpoint Goreme/Pigeon Valley. Spectacular views. We had a drink at the Balkon Hotel, Uchisar, at the head of the valley which is a lovely hotel and gives one of the best views. Looks like a good walk from the bottom of the valley…
Another interesting site in the whole experience of Cappadocia.
We did this walk without a guide. The start was in easy walking distance from our Goreme hotel. It was interesting to walk in the more tightly enclosed valley and see the different volcanic layers. Watching the farmer tilling the soils in his small plots also gave us a different perspective.
Beautiful sights u may find there.
Admire the beautiful landscape. Here you can see some of the pigeon houses for which the valley is named.
I think it is difficult to give everything in Cappadocia an excellent rating.
Turkey is a beautiful country and Capadocia was for us the highlight.
So depending of where you are, go see it, but do not miss some of the other attractions.
We loved hiking here. It was far less crowded than other places we visited. You can combine it with a visit to Uchisar Castle, which isn't much of a castle, but the views from the top are worth the admission price.
To be honest, we got a little lost and didn't make it all the way to Goreme from Uchisar;…
Be careful, a friend got bitten by a dog here and had to get a rabies shot! I was with her and it was very scary.
Great walk with lots to look at historically, thn you can climb back up at ny time. We then walked back up hill to climb Uchasar castle. Could see all the caves where people had, and still were, living.