Pink rock
At sunset.
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Rose Valley, Güllüdere in Turkish, is a valley in the heart of Cappadocia in central Turkey, near the villages of Çavuşin and Göreme in Nevşehir Province, about 2 km east of Göreme in a straight line. The valley takes its name from the pink colour of its rock, which glows especially at sunset. Like the rest of Cappadocia it is carved from soft volcanic tuff, shaped by erosion over thousands of years into rippling walls and rock chimneys. Old carved churches and caves are scattered in its walls. The rock walls ripple in layers of pink, cream and brown, sloping in smooth gullies like frozen waves, with pointed rock chimneys rising among them. Small orchards, apricot trees and vines grow on the valley floor, and from the upper rim a wide view opens over all of Cappadocia. Visitors hike the valley trails among the rocks and orchards in a walk of a few hours, stopping at carved cave facades. Many climb to the viewpoints on the rim before sunset to watch the pink rock glow; bring water.
At sunset.
Pointed.
On the rim.
Near Çavuşin and Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey
Just before sunset.
Water and walking shoes.
