Nature / Canyon
Ihlara Valley
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
Cappadocia's best-loved hiking canyon, carved into volcanic tuff by the Melendiz Stream and filled with rock-cut churches along its 14 km.
Safety warning
Its story
Ihlara Valley was formed when the Melendiz Stream eroded layers of tuff and basalt erupted by the Hasandağı and Melendiz mountains; about 14 km long and over 100 meters deep in places, it stretches from Ihlara to Selime. More than a hundred rock-cut churches have been identified in the valley, where monks settled in the Byzantine period, and some of them, with their fresco programs, are open to visitors. Descending the 382-step staircase at the main entrance, the Ağaçaltı, Kokar, Pürenli Seki, Sümbüllü and Yılanlı churches are a short distance away. The path along the stream is an easy walk to the village of Belisırma; longer hikes end in Selime.
Key facts
- Depth
- Around 100–150 m
- Hours
- Daily 08:30–17:00 (current information at muze.gov.tr)
- Length
- About 14 km
- Admission
- Paid/Müzekart (Museum Pass)
- Main entrance
- 382-step staircase (Ihlara)
- Visit duration
- 3–5 hours
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
- Hiking
- Traveling with kids
Location
38.25595, 34.30105
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ihlara_valley | https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=IH101&DistId=IH1 | https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/aksaray/gezilecekyer/ihlara-vadisi | https://aksaray.ktb.gov.tr/TR-232546/oren-yerleri.html | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22343387