Pigeon Valley ( Güvercinlik Vadisi ), just outside Goreme in Cappadocia, is one of Turkey’s most beautiful landscapes. The unique rock formations known as fairy chimneys, or peri bacalar, which are made from wind and water erosion on soft volcanic rock, rise high from the valley floor like chimneys and are dotted in their tops with birdhouses. Some reach at tall as 130 ft Pigeons live in these dovecoats carved into the rocks and cliffs. Years ago the pigeons were used to carry messages from this remote region, and their droppings have long been used by local farmers for fertilizer. Today, however, there are fewer Pigeons in the valley.
Pigeon Valley is a great place for hiking. The whole area around Goreme is made up of valleys with almost no fencing and there are well-marked trails. The mildly hilly trail through Pigeon Valley is free of charge and about 2.8 miles long running between Goreme and Uchisar.
Pigeon is ideal for walking as the trek is relatively easy. Within the valley are man-made caves which make for excellent exploration. Alternatively if walking is not your idea of fun, still head to the top of the valley at sunset where the vibrant orange colors moving down behind the mountains produce wonderful holiday pictures. The valley earned its name from the hundreds of pigeons that have made their homes in the rocks.
Pigeon Valley ( Güvercinlik Vadisi ) Goreme-Cappadocia
It was fascinating to climb up around the pigeon holes in the rocks. A must see if you are in the area.
This was my favourite place in all of Cappadocia to take photos! I took the best photo of my trip here and I've included it with my review. All of Cappadocia is pretty amazing and easy to take photos from though.
There are thousands of pigeon houses that have been carved into the rocks and have been here for thousands of years.Pigeons are a source of food and fertilizer (droppings). The more pigeons you had the richer you were.
the view is great and you can shop for souvenir near the valley… it is not far from Goreme all people pass by this place while in cappadocia
Enjoyed our hike through Pigeon Valley very much. Please have some of the sweetest orange juice ever at Hasams Tea Garden. What an experience !
We spent the day walking down pigeon valley to Goreme, through the beautiful shaped and coloured rocks, amongst the trees and plants with hardly anyone there. It was brilliant.
As a result of the volcanic eruptions, erosion of the river, and wind over ten thousand made this unique geological formation
Walked from Uchisar to Goreme thru beautiful Pigeon Valley and kept an eye out for Hasan's tea house as suggested by others. Well it was right in the middle of the trail so impossible to miss and what an experience
Wear proper shoes! Lots of gravel you can slip on (I did). Avoid walking in the hot sun and rent an ATV for the day. You can see a lot more, faster and wind on the ride to keep you cool!
Ended up having to turn back as the path was blocked by mud. It was a good walk though. Just remember water before you set off