Ihlara valley is situated 40km from Aksaray and can be reached making a turn at the 11th km of the Aksaray-Nevsehir road.
The canyon was created by the cracking and collapsing which occurred as a result of basalt and andesite lava from Mt. Hasandag’s eruption. The Melendiz river found its way through these cracks, eroding the canyon bed and helping to form canyon we see today. The Melendiz river used to be called “Potamus Kapadukus”meaning the River of Cappadocia.
Ihlara Canyon is 14km long, 100 -150m high valley begins at Ihlara valley and ends at Selime. There are numerous dwellings, churches and graves built into the valley walls, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors.
The valley proved to be an ideal place for the seclusion and worship of monks, and a hideaway and defense area for people during times of invasion.
The decorations in the churches can be dated to various times from the 6th to the 13th centuries, and the churches can be classified into two groups. The churches near to Ihlara display frescoes with oriental influence. Those nearer to Belisirma display Byzantine type decorations.
Very few Byzantine inscriptions in this area can be read. Above a 13th century fresco in the church of St. George (Kirkdamatli), the names of Seljuk Sultan Mesud II (1282 – 1305) and the Byzantine Emperor Andronicos II are inscribed. This is proof of the tolerance of the Seljuk rulers. The best preserved frescos are to be found in the churches of Agacalti, Purenliseki, Kokar, Yilanli and Kirkdamatli.
Ihlara Valley is a 7km canyon cut into the dry Cappadocian wilderness by the Melendiz River. The floor of the gorge is lush and verdant. There are lots of rockcut Byzantine churches hidden in the vertical valley walls. It was a favourite place for early Christians to hide from Roman persecution.
What a beautiful walking experience we had with the children. In total, we must have walked for about 3 hours and it felt like we were only there for about 40 minutes. We were so busy absorbing the unusual scenery around us that we lost track of time. Rocks, caves, waterfalls, the sound of river going downhill, the pretty recently…
We did a 4km hike in this Valley as part of the privatetour with Rock Valley. I had actually signed up for a different tour for my 2nd day in Cappadocia, but it wasn't available. This was really a pleasant surprise, and I'm so glad I went.
This a great river canyon to hike, steep cliffs and national park trails up and down the portion where all the cave churches, shrines, monestaries, and dovecots are found. This was a 5th to 14th Century Christian enclave and refuge. The river complex goes from Ihlara to Selime, with Besirma in the middle. You can drive down and park in…
Beautiful nature, amazing cave churches, a refreshing walking among trees and rock formations. If you go in summer you should take water , hat and choose a convenient day. The total distance is 15 km but you could choose a shorter walk (7 km).
What a way to spend a few hours hiking 7 km. Non-stop views of one beautiful thing after another. Ended the day at a riverside restaurant for some fresh fish and Apple tea. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
We drove down from the small town of Belisirma in the middle of the valley. It was a tight winding road but fine for regular sedan. The valley floor at this point offers a choice of restaurants.
We started from Ihlara village till Belisirma where we had a lunch and finally by bus to Selime monastery. Pleasant stroll through Ihlara indeed – nature is beautiful and there are many carved-in-stone settlements / churches.
The Ihlara valley is a beautiful place. You can take long or short walks (between 3.5 to 14 km). The walking trail is taken well care of and the surrounding and churches are magnificent!
If you have time, you can take a few days to truly experience this beautiful walk.
This is a great thing to see in Capadoccia, a canyon full of decorated churches and that you can take pictures of provided that you do not use flash.
The downside is that travel agencies of course know about it and bring hundreds of tourists to march through the small path of the canyon so it feels really crowded.