Uçhisar – Zemi Valley – Göreme

Characteristics of the Route:

Uchisar, the beginning of the route, is one of the highest points in the region, and it has become a town over time, either by carving or by building stone houses on its skirts. Taking advantage of this high point, the Romans used its peak spot as a castle. The hiking route starts in this exquisite view, passes through the nostalgic streets of the town, and descends to the Zemi Valley, which stretches out in green scenery with patchy fields and narrow or wide paths. Breathing the mysterious air of the Zemi Valley in the shadows, the final trail reaches the famous sunset point of Goreme, Aydin Kiragi, and overlooks the fantastic land called Cappadocia.

Connected Routes:

Goreme – Guvercinlik Valley – Uchisar

Goreme – Aydinkiragi – Gorkundere – The Church of the Evil Eye – The Symmetrical Church – Ortahisar

Goreme – Kiliclar – Kizilcukur

Notes to Travelers:

If you start hiking at sunrise, you can walk with hot air balloons above you. 

If you are hiking in autumn, you can taste the delicious apples, quince, and grapes growing in the valley.  

There is an entry fee to Uchisar Castle, the museum card is not valid.

You can have delicious meals in restaurants of different styles and standards in Uchisar and Goreme.

Make sure your water bottle is full as you won't find water on the route.

If you are hiking in early spring, you can see Convolvulus assyricus (yastikcik), an endemic species of Turkey, in May-June, Hedysarum cappadocicum (tatlitirfil) in May-August, and Macrotomia densiflora (koca egnik) on rocky and stony slopes.

It is possible to see Thymus cappadocicus and Eruca cappadocica, endemic plants of Cappadocia, until the end of summer.

When you go down to Zemi Valley, you will see Maider Lopez's live performance area from the Cappadox Festival 2015.

At the end of the route, you can visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, an old monastery. There is an entry fee to the museum and the museum card is valid.