Sunset from Pigeon Valley: A Walking Guide

From the terrace or living room of Anitya Cave House in Ortahisar — the very heart of Cappadocia — the deep hollows and valleys stretching out before you are not merely a view. They are a living record of thousands of years of farming and human culture.

As I always tell our guests: the best way to truly understand this landscape is not to observe it from a distance but to step inside it — to breathe the dust of the tuff rock and walk among the formations themselves. Pigeon Valley, just a short distance from Ortahisar, offers nature lovers a remarkable hiking route winding through fairy chimneys, rocky outcrops and ancient orchards.

The moment you enter the valley, small windows carved high into the cliff faces will catch your eye. As a restorer, it is impossible not to marvel at the architectural ingenuity behind these structures.

For centuries, the local people depended on pigeon droppings to enrich their soil and bless their vineyards. To secure that vital resource, they carved these remarkable dovecotes into the steep valley walls — a practical art that endures to this day.

If you look closely as you walk, you will notice intricate painted patterns and architectural details at the entrance of each dovecote — designed to keep predators such as martens at bay. The deep red ochre pigment used in these decorations, known locally as yoşa, is a tradition unique to this region that stretches back to antiquity.

The ideal time to set out is the late afternoon, when the sun begins to soften and lose its midday intensity. As it descends, the valley slopes erupt in a pageant of colour — shifting from burnished gold to deep amber and finally to crimson.

This route is more than a visual spectacle. It is a quiet escape woven into the historic landmarks and natural beauty of Ortahisar — a place where you can shed the noise of everyday life and feel genuinely at one with the landscape.