The Red Valley and the Rose Valley (Kızılçukur and Güllüdere in Turkish) are two neighbouring valleys between Çavuşin and Ortahisar, where the tuff holds so much iron oxide that the rock seems to catch fire as the sun goes down. This is the Cappadocia sunset you see in all the photos. The two valleys also have some of the best walking trails in the region, with rock-cut churches and not a ticket office in sight.
You can see the valleys in twenty minutes from the viewpoint or walk through them in three hours. Here I explain both options and how to fit them in with the rest of your day.
A little history
The colours come from the make-up of the volcanic ash: the layers richer in iron oxidised into reds and pinks, and erosion carved them into ridges, chimneys and canyons. As in Göreme, Byzantine monks cut churches into the rock here between the 6th and 11th centuries, though these are smaller and more secluded. The farmers of Çavuşin planted vines and apricot trees on the valley floors, and they are still there today.
Until a few years ago this was hikers' territory. Tourism has since filled the sunset viewpoint with cafés and jeeps, but walk ten minutes into the valley and you'll have it to yourself again.
What to see in the Red and Rose Valleys
The sunset viewpoint
A broad open terrace above the Red Valley, looking out towards Göreme, Uçhisar and Mount Erciyes. In the last twenty minutes of sunlight the rock turns from beige to orange, then red. In summer there are tea and juice stalls, swings and plenty of people. In winter there's hardly anyone, just a dry cold.
The Church of the Columns (Direkli Kilise)
In the Rose Valley, a church thought to date from the 6th century, with columns and decorated capitals carved out of the rock. It has no frescoes, but the carving is surprisingly elegant for such a hidden spot.
The Church of the Cross (Haçlı Kilise)
A little further up, with a huge cross carved in relief on the ceiling and 9th-century frescoes. You get in by climbing steps cut into the rock. There's no ticket office and no guard, which is all the more reason not to touch anything.
The Grape Church (Üzümlü Kilise)
In the Red Valley, with painted bunches of grapes and frescoes that have survived years of exposure to the weather. Next to it is a small cave café serving grape and pomegranate juice from the valley's own fruit.
The trails
The classic loop links Çavuşin, the Rose Valley, the Red Valley ridge and the viewpoint, and you can extend it to Ortahisar or head down to Göreme. Allow two to three hours with stops; some stretches climb steps cut into the rock and pass through tunnels. From the viewpoint there are also short out-and-back walks of about an hour.
Tips for your visit
Twenty minutes for the sunset from the viewpoint; two to three hours for the loop. The trails are waymarked with paint, but some of the junctions are confusing.
- Get to the viewpoint half an hour before sunset, especially in spring and autumn, when it's busiest.
- For walking, go first thing in the morning or in the last two hours of the afternoon: at midday in summer there's no shade.
- Bring light hiking shoes, water, a map downloaded to your phone, and a torch if you plan to finish with the sunset.
- For children who are good walkers, the stretch from Çavuşin to the churches is a real adventure; the full loop is too long for them.
Tickets and prices
Hiking in both valleys is free and open to everyone. At the time of writing (2026), the sunset viewpoint may charge a small fee for parking and access, which I check before every visit. On my tours, there's nothing for you to arrange.
Where they are and how to get there
The valleys lie between Çavuşin and Ortahisar, about six kilometres from Göreme. The viewpoint is reached by a dirt track off the Ortahisar road. The easiest trailhead is in Çavuşin, next to the Church of St John the Baptist, which is also worth the climb.
How we visit them on my tours
The Red Valley gives its name to the Red Valley, Göreme and Paşabağ day tour, and on multi-day trips we come back here for the sunset after the Göreme Open-Air Museum. If you want the full hike, the Cappadocia Adventure 6 Days tour includes a 6 km walk through the Red Valley. For all the other valleys, see my complete Cappadocia travel guide.
If you'd like a guided hiking day in Cappadocia, message me on the tailor-made trip page.