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
Pigeon Valley is part of the Goreme area and there are pigeons – the main attraction includes a view accross a valley, a small tree covered with the evil eye amulets, a stall to buy them and across the road a delightful jewellery design shop, studio, with the best turquoise ranging from samll to large pieces.
This is a very nice walking/hiking area that is a fun walk. The rocky area is something that you won't see any other place on earth. Truely enjoyable. Be warned though, there might be an old guy selling tea and souvenirs somewhere at the start of the walk. He will take you money as slick as can be. I gave…
Being able to view the landscape from ground level after being on the balloon ride earlier in the day just completed the best ever experience of the most unusual landscape I have ever viewed. Some quaint handcraft shops nearby and we did purchase a very small water colour of the Fairy chimneys from a very small collection of work done…
An easy hiking tour from Göreme to Uchisar via Pigeon valley. It's a great start of any Cappadocian adventures and relatively easy to do.
Saw this from a panoramic view, was beautiful and you could see all the pigeon holes clearly. Lots of history and meaning to this place
Goreme valley is one of the most unique experiences one may end up missing if not planned on a visit to Turkey. It comprises unique land formation out of millions of years of evolution from volcanic ash. Goreme valley is inhabited by a small but very friendly population with fantastic tourist infrastructure
3 or 4 days of outdoor fun will…
There was more to look at than just the pigeon houses. The scenery is breathtaking at times. I was also over the area in a Balloon ride. This was even more spectacular.
Great to see but be very careful with your timings. Definately avoid mid morning to mid afternoon .The tour busses seem to choose this time of day. Try either earlier or later plus the light is great at that time for the photographs.
We only got to see the panoramic view, but it looked only okay compared to other values. It was narrow and had lots of birds. Other valleys have more paths you can go through and less bird problems.
What an amazing walking experience. We meandered through this rock-hewn valley with a surprise round every corner – it was like reliving history, difficult to imagine living this secret hidden life so long ago. Beautiful!