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
We got to Pigeon Valley at the end of a tour…At first glance, standing next to the Viagara Market (yes, that is it's name) it doesn't look like more than a regular valley…with pidgeons. Hence, the name. But once you hike down, you follow a trail that takes you literally through the heart of this valley.
My fiancee and I did the Pigeon Vally hike from Uchisar castle to.Goreme. We got a bit lost, the pathways are not clearly marked; this caused us a bit of stress because we had a flight to catch later that evening but after climbing up the hill we got our bearings back and figured it out.
Pretty amazing to see what pidgeon houses look like! It was fun to stop and feed the birds. Not a top location but an easy quick stop enroute.
Very Good. Now it is wasted, no one lives there, and only for feeding pigeon. Maybe some rich guys or family would use one of these cave for vocation.
It would be nice for anyone who could walk or bike ride ( mountain bike) the valley, many places where you could take pictures
Don't forget your camera & empty memory card! This is a photography heaven. If it is hot, have plenty of water, good walking shoes a must.
Easy walk down the hill from the Kelebek. Worthwhile walk & climb. Magnificent views!
Watch the pigeons swoop round and then vanish into their rock nests. Chill out and enjoy. This is yet another facet of the wonderland that is Capadoccia
People usually come here on the tours between Goreme and other village such as Selime. Taking some pictures, listen to the explanation from your tour guide about the history, and that's it. After that you can go to another destination. But there are also restaurant/cafe and souvenirs shop if you interested to stay longer. I think it will be nice…
As with many others, we went to Pigeon Valley at the end of an exhausting day's tour. time was spent by fellow travellers at the market than in the valley and we felt we got little from the experience.