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
Firstly this is an amazing walk very nice scenery not very strenuous and generally pretty spectacular. The thing is around January its also very quiet we did not see anyone on the valley its entire length and wild dogs were definitely there. We walked Pigeon Valley the day after we walked (most) of Zime valley which is 5.6KM long during…
Loved the whole area and the history of Pigeon Valley was simply amazing! An exceptional place to visit.
You can take nice panoramics from this view. That's fantastic!!
This was a beautiful hike that we attempted to do on our own. After visiting the castle on a hill in the town next to Goreme, we attempted to hike back, but quickly got lost – despite all the directions we received beforehand. While it isn't likely you will be in danger on this hike, we had to hike back…
We got very lost and ended up spending over 3 hours in a canyon wondering why on earth people said it only takes 45 minutes!!!
We took a bus from Goreme to Uchisar for 6TL for two and visited the castle for 5TL each and had a lovely view of the entire area- highly recommend this!
Pigeon Valley is a so-typical tourist bus stop that I consider it not worth visiting, if you are unable to hike around Red Valley and Rose Valley then this might be the place to see otherwise it's not worth visiting
Stopped by for literally 10 minutes on the Southern Cappadocia tour. Where they used to train pigeons. Nice panoramic shot for photos. Really just a vista point but worth the stop on the tour for a photo op.
We stopped by the picnic and viewing area and look over the pigeon valley just before sunset. It is such a fascinating landscape of Cappadocia. Awe inspiring to see the landscape and the surrounding areas of Cappadocia.
The formations and holes in the rocks are astounding.
A steep descent into the valley from the Argos Hotel and a pleasant walk along the bottom of the valley with our guide made an interesting start to our holiday. Unfortunately we weren't able to walk all the way along as there was work going on to lay new pipes for the hotel.