Love Valley, Aşk Vadisi in Turkish, is the valley of the tallest fairy chimneys in Cappadocia: columns of tuff up to 40 metres high, each topped with a rounded cap, standing in a row among vineyards and apricot trees. The name comes from their shape, which needs no further explanation. The valley lies between Göreme and Uçhisar, it is free, and there are two ways to see it: from the roadside viewpoint, in ten minutes, or along the trail, in two hours.
It is also one of the best places to watch the balloons at sunrise, as they float over it almost every morning when the weather is good. Here is how to make the most of it.
A little history
Like every valley in the region, Love Valley is the work of erosion on compacted volcanic ash, protected here and there by layers of basalt. Here the layer of tuff is particularly thick and the caps particularly round, which is why the columns are so tall and slender. The people of Göreme and Uçhisar farmed the valley, and there are still vines and fruit trees among the rocks, as well as pigeon houses carved into the walls.
The name is recent and owes a lot to tourism; on old maps the valley appears as Bağlıdere, the valley of the vineyards. Its neighbour, White Valley, can be combined with it in a single walk.
What to see in Love Valley
The roadside viewpoint
On the road from Göreme to Uçhisar there is a dirt car park with tea stalls, swings and benches facing the valley. From here you see the tallest chimneys lined up one after another. This is where tours stop, and where people gather to watch the balloons in the morning.
The trail
It starts in Göreme, near the hotels on the western side of the village, and climbs gently between the chimneys until it comes out on the Uçhisar road two hours later, with stretches of soft sand and the odd scramble between rocks. By mid-morning there is hardly anyone about. You can come back through White Valley, which branches off further up, and make it a three-hour loop. Download the map to your phone before you set off: some junctions are not signposted and it is easy to wander into a dead-end side branch, although you cannot really get lost, because the valley is narrow.
The balloons at sunrise
The balloons take off east of the valley and usually drift west on the morning breeze, and on many flights they pass over this valley. From the viewpoint you can see dozens at once, sometimes dropping low between the chimneys. I cover the flight in detail in my guide to hot-air ballooning in Cappadocia.
Pigeon houses and vineyards
In the valley walls you will spot the openings of the pigeon houses, their edges painted white; on the valley floor, vines with small grapes and apricot trees. In September the villagers harvest the grapes among the rocks.
Tips for your visit
Ten minutes at the viewpoint; two hours on the trail. The trail is easy but runs over dirt and sand, and in summer there is no shade.
- For the balloons, be at the viewpoint before sunrise, with a warm layer even in summer.
- Walk the trail early in the morning or late in the afternoon; at midday in July and August it feels like a sauna.
- Wear closed shoes and bring water and something to eat: there are no facilities inside the valley.
- For children who are good walkers the trail is an adventure; with a pushchair, stick to the viewpoint.
Tickets and prices
At the time of writing (2026), the valley is open access and free, viewpoint and trail included. On our tours we stop at the viewpoint and, if you would like to walk, we arrange the trail with your guide.
Where it is and how to get there
The viewpoint is on the road between Göreme and Uçhisar, about three kilometres from Göreme, close to Pigeon Valley. The start of the trail is on the western side of Göreme and is signposted.
How we visit it on our tours
On the Cappadocia Adventure tour we see it on horseback: the morning ride goes through Sword Valley (Kılıçlar) and Love Valley, two hours among the fairy chimneys. On the Cappadocia in a Day: Red Valley, Göreme and Paşabağ day tour we stop at the viewpoint for photos, and the Classic Cappadocia 3 Days tour passes through it too. To fit it in with everything else, see the complete Cappadocia travel guide.
If you would rather see Cappadocia on foot, message me when you plan your tailor-made trip.