Ihlara Valley
A Green Canyon About 14 Km Long, Cut 100 M Deep Into Volcanic Rock By The Melendiz River, Lined With More Than A Hundred Byzantine Rock Cut Churches And Hermit Cells With Painted Walls. A Day Hike Through Poplars And River Cafes, With The Longest Walk Running Between Ihlara Village And Selime · Ihlara, Aksaray
Ihlara Valley is a green canyon cut into the volcanic plateau of south-west Cappadocia by the Melendiz River, roughly 75-80 km south-east of Aksaray and about 80-100 km from Goreme by road (confirm). The gorge runs about 14 km and drops roughly 100 m below the surrounding steppe, and its floor is a ribbon of poplars, willows, reeds and clear stream, a surprise in dry country. From about the 4th century hermits and later Byzantine communities carved homes, chapels and storerooms into the cliffs, and more than a hundred churches are reported, of which a handful with painted walls are open to visitors (confirm). The usual way in is the staircase at Ihlara village, followed by a flat riverside walk to Belisirma, where cafes stand on platforms over the water, and onward toward Selime, whose giant rock-cut monastery closes the valley. Most people walk one section and return by minibus or taxi. Spring and autumn are best, summer is hot on the plateau but cool in the gorge, and winter paths can be icy (confirm all hours, prices and dates).
Ihlara Valley, a canyon of the Melendiz River about 75 to 80 km south-east of Aksaray and roughly 90 km from Cappadocia's Goreme, entered from steps at Ihlara village and Belisirma; coordinates approximate, Ihlara, Aksaray, Turkiye
Ihlara Valley is a managed site with ticket gates, normally open daily with longer hours from spring to autumn (roughly 08:00 to 17:00 or 19:00) and shorter winter hours, with a last entry well before closing (confirm). The staircase gate at Ihlara village, the Belisirma entrance and the Selime end each keep their own times, and the river cafes run mainly from April to October. Heavy rain or snow can close the stairs or the riverside path. Confirm times and which sections are open before driving the long road in.