Love Valley in Cappadocia (Turkey): Description and Photos

There are many places in Turkey that are perfect for visiting with your loved one, and one such place is Cappadocia and its Love Valley, nestled in the very heart of the region. In this article, we will explore why the valley bears this name, how to get there, and share a few intriguing legends.

Contents

General Information
Where is Love Valley Located?
How to Get to Love Valley?
Love Valley – 2
Churches of the Valley

General Information

So, Cappadocia, Love Valley (Cappadocia Love Valley), or, as both tourists and locals humorously call it, the Valley of Phalluses or Penises. Indeed, the name speaks for itself, as the enormous stone formations strongly resemble the male reproductive organ – some even with anatomical details.

In some travel guides the valley is called Baglidere

The stone pillars, reaching heights of up to 40 meters, feature a distinctive conical cap at the top – a result of erosion and weathering of the base. This formation occurs because the upper part of the pillar consists of denser rock that resists destruction.

Yet, nothing is eternal – gradually, these giants crumble, risking fading into oblivion.

Visiting Cappadocia to uncover the history behind the valley’s formation is well worth the trip, and the photo opportunities here are excellent. The only drawback is the somewhat challenging transportation access – more on that later.

The history is rather simple and unadorned. Long ago, in this region – as in all of Cappadocia – numerous volcanoes were active, giving rise to volcanic rock. Over time, the denser portions began to surface while the softer parts were gradually eroded away across the vast Turkish plains. If you watch the formation of the pillars in fast forward, you can almost see a gigantic phal… pillar emerging from the earth (referred to locally as “peribadzhalar” – “stone fairy”). These structures are composed of tuff, with their upper sections made of basalt and andesite, which serve as a protective cap against erosion.

A second legend – or rather version – of the valley’s formation involves the influence of water. According to local lore, there used to be a body of water where Love Valley now lies. What protruded from the water remained as conical caps, and when the water eventually receded, that is what was left behind.

There is also an extraterrestrial theory, suggesting that an alien intelligence played a prank on the locals, leaving them these peculiar pillars.

Naturally, you might expect to hear the myth that the stone pillars are fossilized… ahem… but no, that myth is not passed around by the locals – except, perhaps, in jest.

Where is Love Valley Located?

Love Valley stretches for 4 kilometers between the towns of Göreme – or, more precisely, Çavuşin and Uçhisar. However, to claim that transportation access here is excellent would be an overstatement. There is a narrow dirt road that can accommodate a small minibus, but nothing more.

Despite the transportation challenges, the area attracts many tourists. Interestingly, there is even a café established by a resourceful local who once recognized the valley’s potential.

Most visitors reach the valley on foot, as the charm of the Turkish valleys lies in their hiking trails and the breathtaking views of the surroundings. In addition to this primary attraction, you might even stumble upon others – for instance, the White Valley, which borders Love Valley.

How to Get to Love Valley?

There are two ways to reach this attraction if you plan on exploring on foot.

The first option: From Göreme, head towards the town of Avanos and, before reaching the village of Çavuşin, turn left (note that the turn occurs well before the village, so do not use the village as a landmark). Then, take a second left onto a dirt road and continue straight ahead.

The second option: From Uçhisar, you can walk to the valley. The hiking trail starts at the Ozler Onyx jewelry shop.

The map below shows the starting point of the hiking route from Uçhisar (red dot), while the yellow markers indicate the first route from Göreme.

Love Valley – 2

If the first valley is relatively straightforward – with tourist groups even offering guided tours and excursions available – the second one is not as self-explanatory. This spot is not typically promoted to tourists, as it is smaller and less dramatic, although its features are not much different from the first. Initially, there was even talk of calling it a “trial version,” but that idea was soon discarded, as the term “trial” seems a bit of a stretch. It is, in fact, a full-fledged valley in a reduced format.

Love Valley – 2 (LoveValley – 2) features the same phallic stone pillars with conical tops. In addition, there are several enclosures for horses and chickens, a café, a souvenir shop, and local gardens.

In the rocks, you can find carved-out rooms; at the very top, small windows are visible, and in some of the collapsed pillars the outlines and interior details of these spaces can be discerned.

The description of the second Love Valley is virtually identical to the first – it’s essentially the same place, just smaller (500 meters compared to 4 km).

The photos here are just as intriguing – and sometimes a bit risqué – as in the first valley. However, it is recommended to visit both, especially since, in terms of transportation access, the second site is more attractive. It’s no coincidence that the walk here is considered one of the simplest and most accessible.

The surroundings feature many different plantations that appear abandoned; you might even be tempted to sample something straight from the bush – for example, grapes – but do so in moderation.

So, how do you get here? For the convenience of visitors, there is a special concrete sign at the entrance; beyond that, there are few markers along the perimeter, which is understandable given the limited space.

The first option: Head towards the village of Çavuşin and, at an intersection, turn towards the open-air museum. Then, after 100 meters, turn right towards Dilek Camping; after another 500 meters, turn right again towards Zemi Valley (look for the sign “Zemi Vadisi”). After about 400 meters, a dirt road will appear that leads you to Love Valley – 2.

The second option: From the mosque, ascend to a viewpoint behind which the valley unfolds – the key being to then descend back down.

Churches of the Valley

What else is there to see in the second valley besides the stone formations? The rock churches. They are located along the route to the valley if you choose the first option.

El Nazar.
The Hidden Church.

The El Nazar Church is situated just a five-minute walk to the left of the road leading to Zemi Valley. There is an entrance fee – currently 10 TL – and a guard controls access. Although the guard isn’t always on duty, he will eventually appear if you wait. Inside, the ancient frescoes, which make for great photographic souvenirs, are particularly noteworthy. For those who appreciate antiquities, this quiet spot (with few tourists) is a real treat.

The Hidden Church is so named for a reason – it is genuinely hard to find. It is best to ask the guard at El Nazar to guide you to it, especially since he is also the one who grants entry (the door is locked with a padlock). Photographs from the Hidden Church may not be as striking as those from El Nazar, as the artwork has not been as well preserved.

In general, if you’re not a fan of extensive hikes, you can see everything mentioned above in one go by booking an excursion – a hot air balloon ride. Yes, it isn’t cheap, but you can tick off two or even three experiences at once: enjoying the endless blue sky and taking in the dramatic topography of Cappadocia.