An early start to the day with a morning hike that began from the village of Goreme, known in ancient times as Avcilar. Goreme is one of the oldest towns in the region and was a farming community. The plan was to hike from Avcilar to the village of Uchisar and then on to the remote village of Babayan that is only 5km/3.1miles from Ortahisar, another small village that we’d visit tomorrow. While surfing the Internet to make sure this old information is up-to-date, I came across Turkish Heritage Travel that not only offers guided day hikes around Cappadocia but also throughout Turkey. Hiking and/or trekking in the Cappadocia area has grown by leaps and bounds and you’ll have no trouble finding information once there. Just remember that it gets very hot. Bring enough water.

Lonely Planet Discover eBook Travel Guides for your iPadThe Goreme/Avcilar Valley is very beautiful filled with fruit trees and gardens between the tuff, caves and “Fairy Chimneys.” The scenery was constantly changing from green to barren…View image…and back to green again as we walked the narrow paths, stopping every now and then for a short rest and to explore the different caves. I can’t tell you which other valleys we walked through but hikes also led into Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley, and Zemi Valley. Jack and Cemil never really gave specifics. They’d point…we’d follow…

a trail through the Cappadocia landscape, Turkey 

the Wilderness Travel group making their way on a Cappadocia trail in Turkey
Uchisar is a completely different proposition. A natural castle of volcanic tufa (porous limestone) hollowed out and used as a fortress that hovers over the village. This is the highest point in the Cappadocia region and a big tourist draw. The locals make their living from farming and tourism and were prepared to sell in German, French and English. There are many rooms, steps, and tunnels connected to each other inside. Rocks and views on the outside made Uchisar an interesting visit.

ex-Marine and woman selling food in Uchisar, Cappadocia, Turkey 

little Uchisar girl selling in Cappadocia, Turkey 

ex-Marine and other tourists on the rocks of Cappadocia, Turkey
Hot and tired, it was time to finish the trail in a fruit orchard filled with cherry trees…View image. Plopped down on carpets…View image… set out under the shady trees and dug in to the watermelon, salads and other fruits.

fruits and salads in a Cappadocia orchard, Turkey
Hiking done, the group was transfered back to Avanos late in the afternoon with different options scheduled. A hot Turkish bath or 45-minute drive to soak in some natural hot springs. We opted for neither but relaxed until dinner and prepared to move on after one last morning hike tomorrow.

Cemil in a carved out Fairy Chimney, Cappadocia, Turkey