Gulludere 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 Gulludere Valley ( Rose 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 Gullu Dere 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 Gulludere 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 Gulludere Valley . Start at Sunset point (near Ortahisar) and hike down through first Red Valley and then continue on the Gulludere Valley.
From the end of Gulludere 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).
Gulludere Valley,
I liked the tip that our hotel owner (Vineyard Cave Hotel) gave us… he mentioned how all the valleys just got names by the tourist companies to try to attract more people. So he just recommended that you hike around on your own and just go wherever looks interesting… which I think is the best way to do it. There…
The Rose Valley is easy to hike , we did this in the evening before sunset. We found a lot of fruit trees along the route.
…just be prepared for some scrambling up/down some steep inclines. best place to star is near the GOA museum.
especially in the afternoon great colours, take you time to enjoy the walk. We started in Göreme just off the Müze road. There are red signs on the rocks:to red rose valley, so you cannot get lost. On the way to rose valley you will pass a tea stand, the guy there show you the best direction to go: Follow…
Dont miss it! Easy hike with sun and shade. Stop at the fruit stand for juice or tea. Relax on pillows in the shade.
We walked from our hotel it was great hike and stopped along a little tent/tea house along the way. We took an extended hike to Love Valley, the walk back from love valley was not so great as it was alongside the road, but glad we saw love valley.
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
I felt like a 10yr old exploring with no signs to say Not this way I did have to turn back unfortunately after a little while because stupidly I forgot to take water and it was quite hot.
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.
Wonderful walk with bathrooms and rest points along the way…natural caverns provide cool rsst points and there is plenty of picture taking spots.