Rising high against the skyline, the unusual and often surreal rock formations are the highlight of any visit to Love Valley. Cappadocia’s valleys are colourful and full of interesting rock formations but not many have phallic-shaped stones, which have given this valley its name.
These wonderful stones are the result of 60 million years of erosion. After ancient volcanoes erupted the area was covered in a thick layer of ash which solidified. The wind and water then started the erosion process. Only the harder elements of the stones remained creating the superb shapes left today. Some are up to 40 metres high!
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How to Visit Love Valley Cappadocia
Running on the western side of the road from Uchisar to Goreme the whole valley is described as Love Valley although the first part is really the White Valley.
There is no entrance fee and the best way to explore the two valleys is by foot. In fact it is the only way to see the White Valley. If a 2-hour hike is not for you it is also possible to get some fantastic views of the area by car.
Cappadocia is full of picturesque valleys and hikes but this is one not to miss. Other fantastic walks to consider are through Rose and Red Valley, Gorkundere Valley and Sword Valley.
This post provides all the information you need to choose the best way to experience Love Valley Cappadocia.
Love Valley Key Facts
- Entrance fee: No
- Opening times: N/A
- How long to visit for: Hiking: 2-3 hours – Viewpoint: 15 minutes
- Crowds: Hiking: Low – Viewpoint: High
Viewpoints Accessible by Car
1. Love Valley Cappadocia Cliff Edge Viewpoint
High above the valley floor viewpoints and cafes dot the canyon ridge. This is where you end up if you put ‘Love Valley’ into Google Maps.
Many visitors and group tours come here so expect it to be busy. The cafes feature cheesy props such as a large heart shaped seat for Instagrammable photos. In other words it is very touristy, but the views are good.
I highly recommend taking a balloon flight but if it is not within your budget this is a good place to come early in the morning to watch the balloons take off and fly low over the valley.
2. Driving to the Floor of Love Valley Cappadocia
An unpaved single track road leads to KeLes Café, located among the most picturesque fairy chimneys.
A 5-minute walk from the café there is room for a couple of cars to park along the road.
It is also possible to drive on a quad bike into Love Valley. Turkey does not allow these vehicles on the main roads so make sure you keep to the smaller unpaved roads through Sword Valley before entering Love Valley. Follow the description and map above to get to KeLes Café.
Whilst strolling among the amazing scenery look up to see all the people at the viewpoint above. Down in the valley it is much quieter, even more so in the early morning or late afternoon.
For the best sun conditions for stunning photos morning or early afternoon is best. Later in the day this side of the valley is in the shade.
Glide Over Love Valley Cappadocia in a Hot Air Balloon
Depending on the wind direction, balloons normally take off from the lower parts of Rose Valley and drift towards Love Valley, or vice versa. Whichever way you glide the views are out of this world. It is expensive but it was worth every lira.
During peak season flights are offered at sunrise and sunset. It might be tempting to not get up at 4am but sunset is more likely to be windy which results in flights getting cancelled.
Hiking White and Love Valley Cappadocia
- Best for: Phenomenal views of the iconic fairy chimneys
- Start: Ozler Centre Artisanal shop close to Uchisar village (see map below)
- Finish: Cavusin
- Distance: 6.4 km/ 4 miles
- Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
The route is easy to follow and there is no need for a guide.
At the end of the post I have included several additional valleys which can be explored during the same trip making it a circular walk. Depending on how many valleys you add it will be considerably further than the distance indicated above.
The walk can be done in both directions but I recommend starting in the morning in Uchisar for the following reasons;
- When approaching Love Valley from Uchisar the views of the fairy chimneys are outstanding
- The route will be mainly downhill or flat. Although it starts off with a steep scramble down to the valley floor
- Except for midday, one side of the valley is in the shade. The most picturesque views are in the sun until early afternoon (the exact time depends on the time of year)
- It is better to go earlier in the day since it will be cooler and fewer tourists
Regardless of which way you walk bring more water than you think you will need and a sunhat. It can get hot.
Maps and Directions
The hike is easy to do without a guide but download the maps.me app to help with directions. The app and the regional map can be downloaded using your hotel wifi. After installing the app take a few minutes to make sure it picks up your GPS signal. Then you can switch your phone to flight mode and the app uses your GPS.
Maps.me is my favourite app for setting routes and making sure I don’t get lost. We used it for all the hikes around Goreme. There are two ways to set a route:
- Hiking from your current location: tap ‘search’ to find and select where you want to go and then at the bottom right of the screen tap ‘route to’. At the top of the screen you can choose the mode of transport (it can also be used as a satnav when driving). The blue dot shows your location and its worth noting that following your route on the screen uses less battery than tapping ‘start’, which provides detailed directions
- Setting a route from a different location: after finding and selecting your starting point tap ‘route from’ and follow the above steps
Uchisar
Before heading to the starting point of the trek stop by Uchisar and Tiraz castles.
Uchisar castle is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia and it dominates the skyline. It is open from 8am to 7pm and there is an entrance fee.
From the top all the valleys surrounding Goreme and Uchisar are visible. This is a popular sunset spot and must be fabulous in high season when the balloons fly during the afternoon.
When leaving town don’t miss Tiraz castle. It is located at the end of the cobble-stoned road through Argos Hotel. The viewpoint on the left before the castle looks out over Pigeon Valley and the few remaining rock houses in Uchisars. It is free to enter.
The rest of the town has undergone rapid development and the city centre is mainly new builds. Unless you fancy doing some shopping there is little else to see.
If you end in Uchisar, consider having a meal at Sakli Konak restaurant. It was our favourite restaurant in the area.
From Uchisar to the Start of the Trail
From the centre of Uchisar it is a 10-15 minute walk downhill to the main road (shown on the map above). Cross the road where it forks and you cannot miss the small café and souvenir shop with large car park in front.
Route Through the White Valley
Skirt the souvenir shop and continue for a few hundred metres on the road. Take a right when the track splits.
I was expecting the valley to rise up beside me but surprisingly it is actually a canyon which you descend into.
There are two parts of the hike where it is easy to take a wrong turn – this is the first. Look out for the juice vendor, the track disappears down to the left next to his stand.
A very small sign points down the cliff, saying ‘Love Valley’. The path looks more like a rock slide when you first start but it soon becomes a well-defined track. The first part is sandy and can be slippery so take care when descending to the valley floor.
From here on there is only one way through the White Valley so you cannot go wrong.
It is easy to understand why it is called White Valley as the bright white cliffs tower above you on both sides. The cliffs gradually change colour and the valley floor becomes greener as the valley widens out.
As you near Love Valley the trail becomes narrower and more overgrown. At one stage you walk along what looks like a dried-out river bed.
Entering Love Valley Cappadocia
When crossing from one valley into the next is the second place to make sure you take the correct turnoff. Although you cannot get lost, you can miss the panoramic views over the valley and the fairy chimneys when approaching LeKes café (the photo at the top of this post).
Emerging from a small wooded area there is an unpaved road with many tall earth pillars on the other side of the valley (see photo above), follow the muddy road nearly all the way to the fairy chimneys before taking the footpath to the right.
Rounding the corner the valley opens up and at your slightly higher vantage point you can see for kilometres towards Cavusin. The tall stones glow yellow in the morning sun. This is my favourite fairy chimney view, not just in Love Valley but the whole of Cappadocia.
And best of all, because it is a little bit harder to get to, you might have it all to yourself! Look up at all the tourists at the viewpoint above and you will be very pleased you chose to hike.
The track circles down to the café located among the fairy chimneys. If you Feel energetic it is possible to climb up to the viewpoints on the valley edge before continuing. But be aware that it is much more difficult to walk down than climb up these canyon walls.
Exit Love Valley via a dusty road until you meet the main road from Goreme to Avanos. At this point don’t take the main road back to Goreme but choose one of the much nicer routes detailed below.
Variations of How to End the Hike
‘Standard/ Shortest Version’ – End in Cavusin
When crossing the main road Cavusin’s old village ruins are visible in the distance. It is an easy 15-20-minute walk along unpaved roads. This route is a little bit longer than the main road but much nicer and safer.
Cavusin is a sleepy little town. It is mainly the starting point for many of the area’s scenic walks. However, there are a couple of sites to see before getting a bus or taxi back to your hotel:
- Cavusin old village ruins – it is impossible not to be tempted to check out the ancient rock-cut ruins
- Church of St John the Baptist – located at the top of the village ruins it is one of the oldest churches in Cappadocia. But there is little to see
- Cavusin Kilisesi – is open from 8am to 5pm and has an entrance fee. The frescoes inside are well preserved but after seeing a few during our time in Cappadocia they all started to look a bit similar
End in Goreme
Again, avoid the busy main road by taking the unpaved road in front of you. After a few hundred metres the left turn at the T-junction takes you to Cavusin. The right turn goes to Goreme through the lower parts of Rose Valley and Sword Valley.
Along the way stop at the many churches, castles and cone shaped houses carved into the mountain face. The maze of dirt roads and tracks all over this area are used by balloon companies and quad bike riders.
It is easy to get lost on the many paths which peter out or finish as dead ends, so keep an eye on the general direction you are travelling.
After 45 minutes to an hour Goreme open air museum appears high up on your left.
Being one of the largest and most touristy towns in Cappadocia I was surprised how much I liked Goreme. The small back lanes of Goreme with honey coloured houses and hotels partly inside the cliffs are just what I imagined villages to be like in this area.
There are not many sights here but it is a great place to base yourself with lots of restaurants, cave hotels and good transport links. We stayed in both Goreme and Uchisar. I will stay in Goreme next time I visit.
Other Valleys Which Can Be Added Extending the Love Valley Cappadocia Trek
1. Un-named Valley / Gorkundere Valley
Love Valley is also called Gorkundere but putting it into Google Maps takes you to the area between Goreme village and Goreme open air museum.
Adding this valley means a short but steep and exposed scramble up the hill by Sunrise point. The reward is another fabulous view of fairy chimneys.
There is not much shade in the valleys so Gorkundere Café with its large shady terrace allows you to rest tired legs. They only serve breakfast and drinks, as we found out when trying to order some lunch.
2. Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley can make it into a circular route starting either in Uchasir or Goreme. I have to say this was my least favourite of all the valleys in Cappadocia. The views were less striking and the rock formations less impressive.
3. Red Valley and higher parts of Rose Valley
It is possible to end at the parking lot by Red Valley but I would recommend doing this on a separate day.
These valleys will be one of the highlights on any trip to Cappadocia so give them the time they deserve. Spend a whole afternoon exploring the area and take in the spectacular sunset.
When ending here it can also be difficult to get back to your hotel since there is no public transport or taxis.
When to Visit Love Valley Cappadocia
Spring – late March to May has comfortable temperatures and the valleys are green after the winter. Temperatures are comfortable for sightseeing, walking and all the outdoor activities in the area.
Summer – can be very hot and it is not the best time to trek through Love Valley. Turkey and Cappadocia are popular tourist destinations and since this is the school holiday season in Europe it gets very busy. This is the only period I would avoid
Autumn – late September to November also has comfortable temperatures and the valleys turn green again making for more interesting photos.
Winter – is low season which means fewer crowds and lower prices. The area looks beautiful covered in snow but balloon trips are often cancelled because of freezing temperatures. It can be very cold but as long as you don’t mind wrapping up warm it is possible to hike most of the routes in the area.
