Travel bucket list idea:
Goreme, Central Anatolia, Turkey
Just to the north of Goreme lies the Rose Valley, one of the most scenic and accessible of Cappadocia’s walking valleys.
From the Panoramic Viewpoint, a network of good trails criss-crosses the valley, passing through vineyards and wondrous rock formations, leading after 6 km to the valley’s end at the village of Cavusin. Look out for local rock churches and resting points en route for tea and fresh orange juice.
It’s a leisurely three hours, allowing stops for refreshments and to visit churches, to the main trail’s end at Cavusin.
The trail starts at the Panoramic Viewpoint in the Goreme National Park, reached off the Nevsehir-Urgup road via a dedicated access road. There are seasonal stalls and refreshments stands at the viewpoint.
The route is mainly downhill, and while the endpoint is visible at a distance, it’s advisable to hire a local guide as the sign-posting is often intermittent, there are lots of side trails that walkers might mistakenly take, and hidden rock churches that they might otherwise miss. Guides can be arranged through local companies including Middle Earth.
The trails are open all year, though Cappadocia is hot during the summer and there is little shade on offer. Winter is an excellent time for walking the trail, but only during a spell of dry weather as the going underfoot can be soggy after rain.
At either end of the day, when any tour groups tend to have left, walkers tend to have the trails to themselves.
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Goreme
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