Red Valley Panorama: we start our hike from the higher point of the valley enjoying a beautiful vista. You can see Uchisar rock fortress which is the highest point of Central Cappadocia, the Pigeon Valley, the town of Goreme tucked in between the hills and the Swords Valley. Here, we see monumental multi-coloured volcanic tuff formation descending into the valley. 

Rose Valley: we follow the trail walking through the vineyards, passing by the wild almond trees and observing the unusual rock formations up close, and it becomes obvious how the valley got its name.

Dovecotes: there is a lot of the famous rock-cut dovecotes and beehives made by the local farmers along the trail. Some of them are decorated with little murals dating back to the 19th century. 

Cave churches: with a little detour I will show the hidden treasure of the Rose valley – the spacious cave church with columns that can only be found if you where to look. The more well-known Church with a Cross will also be a part of our itinerary. The frescoes here are well-preserved and present a rich example of Christian iconography. We will also explore the cave shelter behind the church, which has some interesting structures and a beautiful view.

Swords Valley: from that point, our trail goes slightly downwards and opens onto the panorama of the Swords Valley on the left and pink and white rocks on the right. We will pass by a couple of horse ranches and arrive in the village of Cavusin. 

Cavusin: in this quiet village, we can have lunch or a quick coffee/tea break. We will need a bit of rest before we proceed to climb the abandoned rock settlement of Cavusin and a fascinating group of fairy chimneys hidden behind it.

Mustafapaşa: a historical Greek settlement famous for its magnificent architecture which includes dozens of family mansions, St. Nicholas Monastery as well a cathedral dedicated to St. Helen and St. Constantine. Nowadays, this small town provides a pleasant break from the touristic centres of Cappadocia, you can enjoy a stroll while surveying the landmarks and learning about the history of this Christian settlement in the heart of the Ottoman Empire. 

Keşlik Monastery: one of the most beautiful monastic complexes in Cappadocia. There are two rock-cut churches decorated with murals from the 9th and 12th centuries, very different in style and thus more interesting to compare. We can also see the hermitages, a refectory and a humble underground baptismal pool.

Sobesos: these are the ruins dating to the 5th-6th century AD. Here, we see the Roman bath area with its little columns and its hypocaust system, the market place (the Agora) and a spacious basilica decorated with floor mosaics.

Soğanlı Valley: it is a quiet valley with many churches and multi-level dovecotes. Some of the murals in the churches here are quite unique and rarely seen elsewhere in Cappadocia. 

Esentepe Panoramic Viewpoint: It is a spot where you will be taking great photos on a hill overlooking ancient town of Göreme, the Pigeon valley and if the weather is clear you can even see the highest volcano of Cappadocia – Mount Erciyes. 

Kaymaklı Underground City: There are more than 70 underground dwelling systems in Cappadocia in the neighborhood and Kaymaklı is one of the largest. In succession, local Anatolian population, the Hittites, the Phrygians, the early Roman Christians, the Seljuks and the Ottomans used these cave systems for storage and protection. 

Ihlara Valley: one of the longest and deepest natural canyons in Turkey, it is an easy hike along a peaceful stream by the name of Melendiz. There are also several cave churches open for a visit if you don’t mind a bit of climbing some stairs. And if you need a rest, we can stop at a river cafe for a glass of tea and a traditional Turkish gözleme which is an unleavened dough turnover.

Selime Monastery: the most monumental of all the Cappadocian rock-carved monasteries, which at a certain point also served as a caravanserai. It requires a bit of climbing but rewards you with a beautiful view as well as a score of cave dwellings and churches that resemble a maze.