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A GUIDE TO THE RED & ROSE VALLEY IN CAPPADOCIA

Now that you’re reading this, it looks like you are researching and planning an upcoming trip to Cappadocia. Well, if that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place.

One of the experiences I looked forward to the most when I was planning my own trip to Cappadocia (besides an iconic hot air balloon flight), was the hike through the incredibly picturesque landscape of both the Red and Rose Valley.

Situated at the heart of Cappadocia, this easygoing hike takes you to some of Cappadocia’s most impressive landscapes, as well as plenty of iconic rock-cut churches and well-preserved cave dwellings.

Add to that, that it’s also one of the most easily accessible hikes in the region, and you realize why the Red and Rose Valley hike has become an unmissable highlight for anyone travelling to this insanely beautiful region in Turkey’s central Anatolia region.

To help you have a comfortable hike, I’ve put together this in-depth guide, featuring all the essentials, as well as plenty of my best hiking tips.

WHERE IS THE RED & ROSE VALLEY HIKE

The Red and Rose valley hike is found in the heart of the Göreme National Park in Cappadocia, about 15 minutes drive from the eponymous town; Göreme.

Named after their colourful features, I believe the Red and Rose Valley hike is an essential activity for anyone visiting Cappadocia.

HOW TO GET TO THE RED & ROSE VALLEY HIKE

CAR | With so many incredible things to see and do, I believe the best way to explore Cappadocia is by renting yourself a car for the duration of your trip.

By renting a car, you will not only have the freedom to explore Cappadocia at your own pace, but you’ll also have an easier time reaching the region’s many natural attractions.

For car rental in Cappadocia, I would highly recommend Rentalcars.com, as they offer exceptional service, additional insurance, and a wide variety of cars, all at an affordable price.

PRIVATE DRIVER | Alternatively, it’s also possible to hire a private driver for the day. By doing so, you’ll save quite some time, making it the perfect option for those shorter on time.

Also, this option gives additional flexibility, since it’s easy to arrange a pickup at the Red Valley sunset viewpoint after you’ve done the hike.

TOUR | Another excellent option where you’ll take in both the Red and Rose Valley is by going on the famous Blue tour of Cappadocia.

This full-day tour is given by a professional art historian guide and includes lunch, the national park fees and transport from and to your accommodation in Cappadocia.

At only €44,- per person, I believe this tour is great value for the money!

THE RED AND ROSE VALLEY HIKE

As mentioned before, there are three ways to start the hike. I’d chosen option two and started the hike from the Love Valley trailhead. For that reason, I’ll solely discuss this option.

FINDING THE TRAILHEAD

First things first; the starting point of the Rose valley hike can be rather confusing, as the hike begins in a vast valley with several paths leading to different directions.

Once you’ve reached the first sign that states Rose Valley, make sure you go to the right-hand side of the valley and follow the path up the mountain ridge.

While it’s quite tempting to head straight into the valley, it’s good to know that none of the pathways found there lead to the actual Rose Valley trail. Thanks to my trial and error, you’ll save about an hour of your time finding the right path.

ROSE VALLEY

As soon as you arrive at the Love Valley path, it’s actually quite a straightforward walk, with plenty of impressive cave dwellings and rock-cut churches along the way.

One thing worth noting though is that the valley is home to several somewhat confusing signs, that will all surprisingly lead you to a small cafe on top of the Rose Valley trail. The good news is that this cafe is also the beginning point of the Red Valley section of the hike.

ROCK-CUT CHURCHES AND CAVE DWELLINGS

Once you arrive at the cafe, make sure you check out the incredible rock-cut church on the right – it’s one of the best-preserved churches in the Rose Valley and a pretty impressive sight to behold.

After a short break at the cafe, it’s time to follow the trail for another 5 minutes before entering the Red Valley.

RED VALLEY

As soon as you made your way around the final loop of Rose Valley, you’ll end on the other side of the mountain range, this is where you officially entered the Red Valley.

From now on, the trail winds over the mountain ridge and takes you along impressive rock formations and several cave dwellings, before you’ll reach the final viewpoint of Red Valley.

After about 10 minutes into the valley, the path is carved out of the rock formations, which is pretty awesome if you’ve asked me.

Also, the journey up is slightly steeper in comparison to the Rose Valley and should take around 20 minutes.

RED VALLEY SUNSET VIEWPOINT

Upon arrival at the Red Valley sunset viewpoint, you’ll immediately notice one thing; it’s a pretty touristic place, which makes sense as the Red Valley sunset viewpoint is easy to get to by car and offers some of the best views in the region.

While there are a handful of cafes and places to sit down, I’d highly recommend finding yourself a quiet place on the edge of the valley.

I walked back to the ridge on the right side of the cafe where I watched a stunning sunset unfold.

And trust me, once the last light of the day touches the rugged landscape of Red Valley, the landscape slowly transforms and truly becomes a spectacle – as if you have just set foot on Mars – otherworldly.

BEST TIME TO DO THE RED & ROSE VALLEY HIKE

As with most highlights in Cappadocia, I believe the Red & Rose valley hike is done best in the morning when it’s still relatively quiet and the temperature hasn’t reached its peak yet.

Alternatively, visiting in the late afternoon is great too – just make sure you avoid hiking around noon at all cost, as it gets extremely hot and there’s barely any shelter on the trail.

On top of that, I’d recommend visiting the Red Valley sunset viewpoint separate – trust me, watching an incredible sunset unfold over the unique landscape of Red Valley is one of the best experiences in Cappadocia

I’ve done both the hike and sunset viewpoint and have to admit; they have been some of my favourite experiences in Cappadocia.

WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR RED & ROSE VALLEY HIKE

Before venturing out in the valleys, I believe it’s crucial that you’re well equipped. To help you have a comfortable journey, I’d advise bringing the following items:

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | One travel gadget that I’ve taken with me at all times over the last few years is my Grayl Geopress. This reusable water purification bottle allows me to fill up water from nearly every water source, which makes it one of my best investments to date.

A GOOD PAIR OF SNEAKERS | The hikes in Cappadocia are relatively easy, meaning you can easily do them in a good pair of sneakers. However, since most of the trails include sand, it’s good to bring a pair that has firm soles that provide some extra grip. If you have a pair of hiking boots, I’d advise bringing those instead.

SUNSCREEN AND A HAT | If you’re planning to hike in Cappadocia during the peak summer months, it’s essential to bring good sunscreen. Since the landscape provides little, to no shade, it’s also advisable to bring a hat that protects you from the fierce sun.

SNACKS | While there are several small cafes dotted throughout the valleys, I recommend bringing some fruits, nuts or protein bars for during your hike. It’s also handy to bring some cash to grab a coffee or some snacks from one of the cafes if necessary.

WHERE TO STAY IN CAPPADOCIA

When it comes to accommodation in Cappadocia, Göreme is by far the most popular town from which travellers start their explorations, and after staying there myself, it’s easy to see why.

The historic town is encircled by iconic fairy chimneys, has no shortage of brilliant cafes & restaurants, and is home to one of the world’s coolest accommodations ever; cave-style hotels.

To help you find the right accommodation, I’ve listed three of my favourite options below, one of which is marked – this is the hotel where I stayed.

+ Charming Cave Hotel | During my time in Cappadocia, I was fortunate enough to spend a total of 6 days in Charming Cave Hotel, an authentic family-run hotel, situated at the heart of Göreme. Alongside a ‘picture-perfect’ rooftop terrace, the hotel offers a wide array of cave-style rooms, all marked by amazing design and elegant details. All bookings come with an incredibly yum breakfast, and organizing a balloon flight is as easy as it gets.

Kelebek Special Cave Hotel | One of the most luxurious options in Göreme, Kelebek Special Cave Hotel provides spacious cave-style suites, a traditional Turkish bath, and a large outdoor swimming pool. Although this extra luxury comes at a cost, I believe, it’s a great value for the money, especially for those that are keen to take it easy after an adventurous day of exploring.

Artemis Cave Suites & Spa | Right at the centre of Göreme Town, Artemis Cave Suites & Spa offers traditional-designed rooms, an authentic rooftop terrace, as well as excellent in-house spa facilities. Rooms starting at just €47,- a night make Artemis one of the best options in Göreme, Cappadocia.

Alternatively, search for accommodations in Cappadocia on booking.com.

SAFETY IN TURKEY | TRAVEL INSURANCE

While Turkey is completely safe for travellers, I recommend everyone to sort out good travel insurance before setting out on their own adventure.

Where we all prefer that things run smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury during a hike, a lost camera, or an accident on the road.

For travel insurance, I use Heymondo, as they offer full covid-19 coverage, as well as a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Make sure you check it out – readers of WTSW receive 5% discount on any insurance policy too. Additionally, I also recommend World Nomads.