Pigeon Valley

Overview

Below the great rock of Uçhisar, a valley of soft white and pink stone winds down toward Göreme. Its cliffs are pocked with hundreds of small holes and windows. However, they are not houses but dovecotes. This is Pigeon Valley, a walk of about 4 km (2.5 miles) from Uçhisar to Göreme.

Why the Pigeons?

For centuries, the farmers of Cappadocia carved dovecotes into the soft tuff and kept pigeons there. However, they did not raise them for meat. Instead, they collected the droppings, a rich fertilizer for the poor volcanic soil of their fields and vineyards. So the valley takes its Turkish name, Güvercinlik, from these pigeon houses.

Walking Pigeon Valley

The trail runs about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Uçhisar to Göreme. Start at the top: the path then goes mostly downhill, and it takes one to two hours at an easy pace.

From Uçhisar

First, find the viewpoint below Uçhisar Castle, where a tree hangs heavy with blue evil eye beads. Follow the path down into the valley, between wavy cliffs and small orchards.

Halfway along the trail

Next, the valley narrows into side gorges, with white walls shaped by wind and water. In spring, flowers cover the slopes. Along the way, look for a small waterfall that drops about 15 meters (49 feet). The path comes out on the edge of Göreme, close to its cafés and cave hotels.

Balloons over Pigeon Valley

The valley lies on the usual route of the hot-air balloons, so at dawn they drift low over the cliffs. From the top of Uçhisar Castle, you can see the whole valley below.

Uçhisar Castle Above Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley begins below Uçhisar, a village about 5 km (3 miles) from the center of Nevşehir. Its rock castle rises more than 50 m (165 ft) on the south side and more than 100 m (330 ft) on the north side. Since Roman times, people have carved rooms, houses, shelters, storerooms, cisterns and tombs into it, and later it served as a strong point against Arab raids. So before you walk down, climb to the top: Kızılçukur, Güllüdere, Çavuşin and Avanos all lie in view. Our Cappadocia hiking tour walks down this valley to Göreme.

How to Visit Pigeon Valley

You can walk the valley at your own pace. Start below Uçhisar Castle or, for an uphill walk, at the edge of Göreme.

Then combine it with Love Valley nearby, the village of Göreme, the painted churches of the Göreme Open-Air Museum and a balloon flight at dawn. For more walks, see our collection of the great outdoors.