Rose Valley small vineyards are surrounded by steeply eroded walls of tuff. The tuff was deposited in the form of ash by nearby volcanos between 11 and 3 million years ago.
The trails that loop around Rose Valley ( Gulludere Valley ) are easily accessible to all levels of walkers and provide some of the finest fairy-chimney-strewn vistas in Cappadocia. As well as this though, they also hide fabulous, little-visited, rock-cut churches boasting vibrant fresco fragments and intricate carvings hewn into the stone.
With its tufa hills creased into folds, surrounded by vineyards and orchards, and fairy chimneys of all sizes standing like stone minarets in an extraordinary natural landscape, the Rose Valley is a remarkable sight. The valley is dotted with hidden chapels decorated with beautiful frescoes, such as the 7C Church of Three Crosses, which houses a Christ Pantocrator flanked by angels, and the 8C-9C Church of St John, adorned with a portrayal of the Apocalypse.
Follow the signs from the Rose Valley trailhead to the Kolonlu Kilise (Columned Church). The rock facade here is easily overlooked. Take the trail through the orchard and the steps that lead off to the left to clamber onto the nondescript rock face. Once you’ve scrambled through the entrance and the lower chamber you’ll find a white stone nave studded with sturdy columns carved out of the rock. From here, backtrack through the orchard and follow the main trail to the Haçlı Kilise, where the shady cave-cafe at the entrance is the perfect pit stop for a walking break. The church, accessed by a rickety wooden staircase, has frescoes dating to the 9th century on its apse and a large cross carved into its ceiling. Head north from here and take the right-hand path to reach the Üç Haçlı Kilise, with its stunning ceiling relief and damaged frescoes featuring an enthroned Jesus.
One of the nicest and most most beautiful places to go walking in Cappadocia in Rose Valley . Start at Sunset point (near Ortahisar) and hike down through first Red Valley and then continue on the Rose Valley.
From the end of Rose Valley you can either walk to the nearby Cavusin Village. There you can visit the old part of the village which is crumbling away and too dangerous to still be inhabited because of the chance of falling rocks. Or you can continue on the Goreme (around another 45 minutes walk).
Rose Valley,
My wife and I went there to take amazing pictures just before sunset (get there at least 2 hours ahead, not to miss anything, as there are mountains everywhere and the sun goes down earlier). The views are amazing.
We hiked the rose/red valley. It's a long hike outside of town, past the open air museum, after Kaya ballons to start the path, but once you get there it's great. It's a nice hike through gardens, with lots of rocks with pigeon holes and wonderful colors.
We walked from the open air museum in Goreme to the rose valley. We followed a rudimentary map from the hotel and saw one map going into the trek.. However this trek was going through caves and climbing ladders and was not a well signed trek.
You can hike to Rose Valley directly from Goreme; no need for a car. It's a moderately arduous hike with lots of interesting caves and fairy castles. Like all the trails it is not well marked, but this one has enough spray painted arrows with the word "Rose" to keep you from getting lost.
The Rose Valley walk was amazing but not very well sign posted. Most of the time you are not sure if you are on the Rose or Red Valley walk. But definitely worth seeing.
We walked around the rose valley with no one around it was an amazing experience. The landscape is mindblowing and the cave rooms and fairy chimney's intriguing. The area is beautiful. One of the highlights of my trip to Turkey. If walking doesn't suit there are many other options for going around the valley including horseback and ATV
you can see the overview from the hotel i stayed and it was just beautiful. It looked as if huge amount of roses are blooming or colouring the valley.
Amazing rock formations. Some were jaw-dropping and really hard to describe.
In the valley, felt like Tatooine.
Having done Pigeon, White, Love and parts of Zemi and Iciri Dere, I hereby pronounce Rose as my favourite. The details – seems most people do this from south to north, leaving Goreme and heading up to Cavusin.
We did two attempts at finding the Rose Valley, the first one from Goreme Open Air Museum and the second from the panorama view point. Although we had great hikes both times, we never really made it to the Rose Valley.