Goreme Things to Do

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Entry is free at the rock-cut church - up onto narrow stairs leading to a chamber with frescoes and what appears to be a cross on the ceiling of the cave church (see pics).

I took a rest here as there's a snack shop housed inside a cave (how cool is that, a cave snack bar up the hills). The local guy made me a sandwich toast and freshly-squeezed orange juice, tea is also available and some souvenir stuff. Several tables and chairs around the place overlooking the beautiful valley below.

I could have ended my hike here as the sun is really high and hot and I'm tired.

Until I've heard those 2 Aussie girls I've come accross in the Kilclar Valley asking the shop guy for the way to Cavusin -- where is Cavusin so I thought?

So after munching on my huge sandwich toast that I've shared with the fluffy dog and a couple of bumble bees, plus some minutes rest, I went on to the same path where the 2 went walking --- onto Cavusin -- wherever it may be. The guy said - and I heard - only 15 minutes to half an hour walk and that he lives there.

I thought I'm done with my hike for the day, but no, Cavusin sounds interesting, as there's another couple who asked for the way too from the snack bar guy --- so next tip onto - Cavusin.
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I don't know which is which but signs are pointing that I've reached Rose Valley, so I walked up the rocky mountain onto an open space and the rock-cut church called Hacli Church, then I've realized this place is still a part of the Red Valley and there's a rock-cut church with a cave snack bar (like The Flintstones), ...click onto the next tip --- the Hacli Church.
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The good thing about hiking in Goreme is that even if you get lost, you'll definitely end up some other sight and onto another site.

From Kilclar, another kilometer (following the sign scribbled on rocks) onto the Red Valley.

I don't know exactly why it's Red Valley, but do I really need to find out? The place rocks --- of rock! and it's amazing.

By the way, caution for female travelers/hikers. During my hike around Kilclar Valley, I came across these 2 Australian girls who were hiking there too and we've seen this local mid-aged guy who was sitting at one of the rocks (in a desolate place where most of the time no-one is around except for occassional hikers). He seemed to be harmless and just being "friendly", he talked to us, walked with us and showed us one of the caves.

The opening of the cave was like 5-foot high and a little difficult to climb and the guy assisted all of us but I saw him push/touch the crotch (or butt?) of one of the girl up to the high entrance. I'm sure the girls noticed it. And when we were about to walk our way further onto our next destination, he was still there and he asked me why I was with the girls... like I posed danger to the girls? Me? HA..HA...

Or maybe he can't further his nasty plans, whatever it is?

So I told the girls to just say thank you to the guy and walk faster to get the guy off their way.

click here ..onto the next stop
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I was supposed to hike onto the Love Valley but I got lost and ended up in Kilclar Valley and saw the signs in red pointing to Red Valley.

Kilclar Valley is very near the town, some half an hour walk. I don't have any idea actually where I'm going but the just-do-it (sounds like Nike?) attitude in me is working so I continued walking until I've realized I'm already doing one of the popular hike/path onto several valleys in the area.

RED Valley on the next tip.....
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Some visitors got themselves contented seeing and going up the castle, there's more down the side of the castle. There are several rock formation and old rock settlement around the area. Some really very interesting ones.

That's the end of my first hiking day to Uchisar Castle

Next tip... for the following day hike to several valleys onto Cavusin --- starting with Kilclar Valley.

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Getting down from the rock castle is easier but don't end your trip there because the surrounding is equally amazing.

With the castle at your back, walk down to the right side and you'll get a full view of the castle and the old settlements, you can even walk further down and get in in some of the rock houses, one is occupied, maybe by one of the caretaker of the place, who probably planted those many flowers around the area. See the next tip for that.
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This was where I scared the hell out of my travel companion --- and me as well. We wandered around Zemi Valley and about to leave the place back to the main road, but for some reason I said I want to check the big hole on the rock. Then he said he wanted to *** on the grass so I continued walking at the back of a big rock formation out of his view and before he knew it he was shocked that I'm already climbing the giant boulders going up to the summit of the valley where we saw some cars, quad bikes and people from down below.

It's seriously dangerous and he doesn't have any choice but to crawl too as he doesn't know the way back. I'm actually terrified when at one point I stepped on some grains of sands that made my shoes slipped a bit - one foot-move mistake and I'm rolling down the rock mountain probably to my death. So I was shouting at him to crawl really low as I was more afraid for him than for me, and when we reached the top, his face was white as vinegar --- terrrrrrified ---- but we almost did not believe that we did it onto the top of the plateau. I won't advise doing it.

Well, sometimes I really scare the hell out me, making impromptu decision without thinking of the risk.

We reached the top and had a great view of the whole town of Goreme. That's where we discovered that there's a short way going down back to the town near the wooden panorama view bridge.

Click onto the next itinerary on this trip... for the start of my Uchisar Castle hike - DIY - walking from Panoramic Views, approx. 4kms up to the top of the castle.
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Spectacular view! that's the reason why people go on top of the castle (at a fee of TL5). You'll get to see the landscape of the whole area on top.

Families go up there even with small kids. So if you're in the area, the Uchisar Castle climb is a must.

Next tip... for the spectacular surroundings and rock settlement below the castle.
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After several panoramic stops and probably more than 3 kilometers walk I reached the blue sign that says Uchisar along the highway with a view of the rock castle on top of a hill.

So few more hike up and I'll be up there. I walked the more strenous part of the hike -- up passing along hotels layered on the hill and the view of the landscape below is getting more exciting on every step up. During that day I never saw anyone doing it on foot, all the people are on cars or big tourist buses. But really it wasn't that hard to do it on foot.

I reached the top of the town and the castle was right there in front near a mosque.

I paid TL5 for the entrance leading to the very top of the castle. There are stairs going up so it's accessible upto where the Turkish flag is. The 360 degree view up the castle is short of amazing.

Next tip please........(click here) Climbing the top of Uchisar Castle.

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My third stop is the more popular panoramic view included in most guided tours. I knew I've been here 4 years ago on a guided tour as I remember the bare tree with several plastics and papers attached to it, probably a wishing tree or sumthin. There were several souvenir shops too and snack shops. I just stopped for few minutes and continued on my hike.

Go onto the next stop - reached Uchisar Castle.
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