Red and Rose Valley, Cappadocia

Overview

Between Göreme and Çavuşin, two valleys cut through soft pink and red rock. In the Rose Valley, a path runs past orchards and small churches carved into the cliffs. Next to it lies Kızılçukur, the Red Valley. For lesser-known painted churches, join our hidden Cappadocia churches tour.

The Story of the Rose Valley

Güllüdere, the Rose Valley, takes its name from the rocks that turn rose-colored in the daylight. Monks and villagers carved churches here between the 6th and the 10th centuries. The Ayvalı Church, for example, carries an inscription dating it to 913–920. Kızılçukur, the Red Valley, lies beside it near Çavuşin and is full of rock-cut churches, monasteries and shelters. Our Göreme sunset walk stops here.

Çavuşin and Uçhisar Around the Valleys

At the Çavuşin end of the Rose Valley, the Çavuşin Church stands beside the Göreme–Avanos road, about 2.5 km (1.6 miles) from Göreme. Emperor Nikephoros Phokas had it built in 964–965, after his visit to Cappadocia, and frescoes inside show him with his wife Theophano. An iron stair leads up to the door, but check locally whether it is open. Inside the valley, the trail divides after a while, and one branch leads to rock-cut monastic settlements. For the view from above, climb Uçhisar Castle: from its top, you look over Kızılçukur, Güllüdere and Çavuşin toward Avanos.

Churches on the Trail

How to Visit Red and Rose Valley

The trail starts near Göreme and ends at Çavuşin; the Meskendir Valley, about 4 km and three hours on foot, links to both. From Uçhisar Castle, you can look down over the Red and Rose valleys. Nearby are Love Valley and the Göreme Open-Air Museum. We plan your walk through the Göreme valleys from start to finish. You can also ride these valleys on our horse riding, jeep and ATV tour, or fly over them on our hot air balloon tour.

Would you like to see the valleys of Cappadocia on foot, by jeep or from a balloon? Walk at sunset, fly at dawn or both: let us know your nights in Cappadocia and we will plan the valley. See our North Cappadocia tour, our balloon flights and our Cappadocia guide.