Aksaray · Ihlara · Turkey

Ihlara Valley

Historic photo spotgoogle verified

~30 min

easy

7/10

serene, historic, natural

A local would say...

A river carved through volcanic rock and exposed 100 hidden churches that Byzantine monks had carved inside the cliff.

A 16km-long volcanic canyon cut by the Melendiz River through Cappadocia's plateau, Ihlara Valley hides over 100 rock-cut Byzantine churches in its cliff walls, many still bearing vivid frescoes. The canyon floor walk along the stream through willows and poplars, with cliff faces dotted with cave entrances, is one of Turkey's great hikes.