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
Everywhere here is so amazing and it was interesting to see this but not as mind blowing as some of the other places
This is a very pleasant hike, especially if you can get transportation up to Uchishar, enter the valley there, and walk back to Goreme. The landscape is surreal, the valley dotted with little pockets of agriculture, and it's such a soothing, unearthly experience to hear the call to prayer from Goreme echoing through the valley.
There are lots of holes that are carved in the caves. These holes were known to be homes for pigeons. Very nice site to see and there are hiking trails around the area.
excellent place to see the valley…. the pigeon, pretty place….
good perspective of the formations from in the valley and a pleasnt walk
A must do walk, definitely not to be missed. Proper walking shoes advisable as there are a couple of slippery bits.
You can access this valley from Heybe Hotel, just down the road perhaps 200 meters. Watch the balloons rising over the rocks as the colors change at sunrise for a truly magical experience.
again the open air museums are so amazing to walk through and not having cars tour buses etc around you. Just nature
Amazing,if you go with a guide,ask him to take you to the canyon,and there are no directions. It was an amazing valley,very green when I went.
The walk up Pigeon Valley followed the creek that was dry when I went. The visually spectacular fairy chimneys are often surrounded by small orchards, vegetable plots or vineyards, and when you come to Uçhisar you are in a nice small town to visit and a central hill, Uçhisar Castle, which affords a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.