Day hike · Cappadocia
White Valley – Uçhisar – Pigeon Valley – Göreme
White tuff of Akvadi, the balcony of Uçhisar fortress, then down past the dovecotes to Göreme.
The route in numbers
- Distance
- 13.2 km
- Ascent
- 390 m
- Descent
- 332 m
- Walking time
- ≈ 4 h 30
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Altitude
- 1022–1347 m
- Route type
- One way: the finish is 3.0 km from the start as the crow flies, so plan your return
Along the way
- Luminous white fairy chimneys (Akvadi)
- Top of Uçhisar fortress, all-round view
- Pigeon Valley and its rock-cut dovecotes
- Arrival in Göreme, cave-dwelling village
When to go
April–June and September–October; in winter, snow and slippery tuff.
Water and supplies
No marked water point on the trail; refills possible in Uçhisar.
Things to watch for
- Dense network of paths in the White Valley
- Sustained climb up to Uçhisar fortress
This page describes the trail as our team walked it; it is not a substitute for a map, a guidebook or a qualified guide. Paths, waymarks, water sources and weather change, so check conditions locally before you set out and choose a day that suits your experience.
More hikes in Cappadocia
Our trips in Cappadocia
Our trips in this region:
- Trails of Cappadocia
- Cappadocia, Call of the Hidden Valleys
- Cappadocia – Istanbul
- Cappadocia & Taurus, from fairy chimneys to the Aladağlar
- Cappadocia & the Lycian Coast
Our self-guided trips include the MyAv road book.