A photo hike down the Rose Valley | Cappadocia, Turkey

in travel •  last year  (edited)

I have done a previous post where I just gloss over the whole of the Cappadocia region. This time we are going to go on a real photo hike down the Rose Valley above Gorme. This whole region in the central part of Turkey is known for a very interesting formation of sand stone. Along with the natural beauty people have also carved into them for thousands of year. There were whole towns and cities mad into the rocks.
IMG_8783.JPG

IMG_8785.JPG
Cappadocia is also well known for its hot air balloon rides that take you down these beautifully painted valleys. The day before we took this hike we woke up early and took a balloon trip. It took off not far from where we set off on this hike I believe. The manager of the Bed Rock hotel dropped us off personally at the trail head and we started walking into this lunar landscape.

IMG_8787.JPG
The landscape was pretty barren of veggitation at this part of the valley except in the very bottom there were a few trees. The valley was aptly named afte the rose colored walls of the valley. It is kind of a pink tone.

IMG_8789.JPG
We traversed into the valley and down into it and started walking up the other side into the rock formations. Everywhere you look there are cut outs in the rocks.

IMG_8792.JPG
Some fo the rock formations are quite phalic. This happens because wind and water erosion take away the layers of sandstone around the spire but there is a harder layer of rock near the top that puts a cap on the erosion around that layer.

IMG_8737.JPG
You could get lost in a sea of rock formations.

IMG_8739.JPG
There were plenty of vantage points for beautiful views of the valley below and surrounding terrain.

IMG_8741.JPG
At some places in the valley the walls became very smooth and almost looked like sand dunes.

IMG_8745.JPG
Windows in rocks everywhere.

IMG_8746.JPG
The trail would even go straight through rocks at times.

IMG_8752.JPG
I loved the contrasts, the benign sand stone, deep cast shadows, and strikingly blue skies.

IMG_8754.JPG
Along the way there were a few side adventures to take. Giving another vantage point and little hermitages or dwellings in the stone.

IMG_8756.JPG

IMG_8757.JPG

IMG_8799.JPG
One such intersting place along the way was this cafe that has a very old church in the rocks above. We were there in the off season so the whole place was quiet and actually deserted at the short time we were there.

IMG_8761.JPG
This door to the inside part of the cafe was carved right into the mountain side. The outside had tables under a beautiful grape trellis.

IMG_8762.JPG
.

IMG_8765.JPG
Inside hanging on the wall is this beautiful weaving loom with a project started on it

IMG_8767.JPG
This rock towner you can see foot holds making a later up to the ramp that could be scaled to get to the top.

IMG_8769.JPG
The walls of the valley began to show some signs of agriculture again.

IMG_8771.JPG

IMG_8772.JPG
A strange mix of nature and humanity rustic in appearance but pleasing.

IMG_8805.JPG
Above the cafe up a bit of climb on a later is an church carved into the stone. These were very early Christians that lived here before Islam took over.

IMG_8808.JPG
Much of the paitings and imagry has been kept in these historic places but you will often find that the faces have been erased to make them more pleasing for the Islam that has been dominant about the last 600 years.

IMG_8811.JPG
The church was made up of 2 small rooms with a few windows letting light in.

IMG_8812.JPG
The alter and baptismal.

IMG_8806.JPG
There was a very intricatly carved cross in the ceiling of the church

IMG_8773.JPG
We continued our way down the valley. We climbed up the side to stay near the top of the canyon as it narrowed below.

IMG_8776.JPG
More formations changing in color as we get lower. More of a white and rounded feature now.
IMG_8778.JPG

IMG_8782.JPG

IMG_8822.JPG
Looking back up the valley from the direction in which we had come.

IMG_8826.JPG
At the end of the valley some of the side valleys made spectacular stone scales along the walls.

IMG_8828.JPG

IMG_8829.JPG
As the valleys ran out onto the valley floor slowly leveling out there is more signs on farming in the flat floor. I like how these little bunches of fields looked tucked into these rugged valleys.

IMG_8836.JPG

IMG_8837.JPG
We were on level ground now and leaving these giants behind for now.

IMG_8839.JPG
We aproached a small town surrounded by tombstones. There was a large rock outcropping over the town. Can you believe in those time this would be like a thriving apartment building. All interconnected with caves.

IMG_8843.JPG
More of the cemetery surrounding the village.

IMG_8847.JPG
In the town cross roads there was a little most which with the blue sky and the anctent apartmetn building made for a great picture.

IMG_8849.JPG
We jumped on a bus back to Gorme where our hotel was.

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE BLURT!
Sort Order:  

Congratulations!

You have recieved a coconutty upvote! 🥥
Thank you for contributing to the Blurt Blockchain!
Keep up the great work!

Curated by @outofthematrix!

Please take a moment to vote for my witness.
You can do this by logging into your wallet with your active key! 🗳️ https://blurtwallet.com/~witnesses?highlight=outofthematrix

Photo_Talent_1.jpg
Congratulations, your post has been upvoted by @phototalent curation account, use de #phototalent tag

Wow, your post about your photo hike down the Rose Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey is absolutely breathtaking! Your photos capture the beauty of the landscape perfectly, and it's easy to see why this area is such a popular destination for travelers. I love the vivid colors and the unique rock formations that you were able to capture in your pictures. Your descriptions of the hike and the history of the area were also very interesting and informative.

It's clear that you have a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and cultural significance of the Rose Valley, and your post has inspired me to add it to my travel bucket list. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

So beautiful place and you have captured it very nicely. Your explanation is also awesome.

Wow, such a very nice place sir.

A few days ago I was able to see a series that talked about this place and all the places that the series shared, one place was more interesting than the other. Your photos are very beautiful and being able to see them is like having a walk from our houses.
Good vibes.😜

I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to look through.

I would always recommend this place for a visit.


Posted from https://blurtlatam.intinte.org

It is a pleasure for us to share our best wishes and congratulations. You have received a virtual hug, from the @newvisionlife account. Curation team.
Living better without thinking about age is our motto

Thank you for using our hashtag #newvisionlife

photo_2022-07-20_18-17-42.jpg

Congratulations, your post has been curated by @r2cornell-curate. Also, find us on Discord

Manually curated by @abiga554

logo3 Discord.png

Felicitaciones, su publication ha sido votado por @r2cornell-curate. También, encuéntranos en Discord