Is the walking route Cappadocia's Paşabağ difficult?

The difficulty is easy to moderate. Paşabağ is mostly flat with well-marked paths, while Zelve requires some climbing on uneven rock steps to see the higher cave dwellings.

What is the best time of day to visit the Fairy Chimneys?

Early morning is best. Arriving by 8:30 AM allows you to beat the heat and the crowds, and provides the best lighting for photography of the rock formations.

Can I enter the fairy chimneys in Monks Valley?

Yes, several of the chimneys, including the Hermitage of St. Simeon, have accessible rooms you can climb into. Be cautious as the stone steps can be worn and slippery.

Is there an entrance fee for Paşabağ and Zelve?

Yes, there is a combined entrance fee for the Zelve-Paşabağ archaeological site. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage area and usually accepts the Turkey Museum Pass.

Can I get to Paşabağ without a car?

Yes, you can take a local 'Dolmuş' (minibus) from Göreme or Avanos. These run regularly throughout the day and drop passengers at the entrance to both Zelve and Paşabağ.

Are there restrooms available on this route?

Yes, there are public restroom facilities and small snack shops located at the main entrance gates of both the Zelve Open Air Museum and Paşabağ.

Is this walk suitable for children?

Absolutely. Children often enjoy exploring the cave 'houses' and seeing the mushroom-shaped rocks, but they should be supervised closely when climbing on uneven surfaces.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step into a landscape that feels more like a dream than reality. This self-guided walking route through Paşabağ and Zelve offers a front-row seat to the most iconic geological wonders of Cappadocia. Known famously as 'Monks Valley,' Paşabağ is home to the most striking examples of multi-headed fairy chimneys—towering rock formations topped with mushroom-like caps that have stood the test of millennia. On this neighborhood stroll, you will explore the intersection of natural power and human devotion. The soft volcanic tuff, carved by wind and rain, provided a sanctuary for Christian hermits who sought solitude in the sky. Unlike a standard walking tour Cappadocia provides elsewhere, this route allows you to linger under the basalt caps and climb into the rock-cut cells at your own pace. The journey begins at the Zelve Open Air Museum, a sprawling cave town that was inhabited as recently as the 1950s. Here, you can wander through three interconnected valleys, discovering ancient mills, mosques, and churches carved directly into the cliffs. As you move toward Paşabağ, the scenery shifts from a dense urban cave network to the isolated, majestic pillars that define the region's skyline. This area is a photographer's paradise, offering unique angles of the 'three-headed' chimneys that are found nowhere else in the world. Whether you are interested in the Byzantine history of the stylite monks or the volcanic forces that shaped the Anatolian plateau, this self-guided adventure provides the context you need without the rush of a group. Enjoy the freedom to explore hidden corners and sit in silence where monks once prayed, all while surrounded by one of the most Instagram-worthy landscapes on the planet. This walking route is an essential experience for anyone looking to understand the true spirit of Cappadocia's wilderness.

Highlights

Marvel at the iconic three-headed fairy chimneys of Paşabağ

Explore the abandoned rock-cut village of Zelve Open Air Museum

Visit the hermitage of St. Simeon carved into a towering rock pillar

Capture stunning photographs of the unique volcanic 'mushroom' formations

Discover the history of Byzantine monasticism in the Anatolian desert

Walk through the three valleys of Zelve to see ancient cave-mosques

Tour Stops (3)

Zelve Open Air Museum

Welcome to Zelve, a ghost town carved entirely into the rose-hued cliffs. Unlike other sites in Cappadocia, Zelve was a living village until 1954, when erosion made the cave dwellings too dangerous for the local community. As you walk through these three valleys, you are seeing a perfect blend of Christian and Muslim history; look for the rock-cut monastery and the nearby cave-mosque. This site was once one of the most important monastic retreats in the region during the 9th and 13th centuries. Notice how the dwellings are layered vertically, creating an ancient 'apartment complex' feel. Take a moment to imagine the sounds of a bustling village echoing off these stone walls before they fell silent just a few decades ago.

Paşabağ Vadisi (Monks Valley)

You are now standing among the most famous formations in Cappadocia. These are the 'mushroom' fairy chimneys, or hoodoos. Geologically, they are a marvel: the 'stem' is soft volcanic ash called tuff, while the 'cap' is hard basalt. Because the tuff erodes faster than the basalt, these towering pillars are formed. This area is called Monks Valley because it was a favorite retreat for hermits. Look for the chimney with three heads; inside, you’ll find a chapel dedicated to Saint Simeon, a 5th-century ascetic who lived in isolation here. The monks would use rope ladders to reach their high-altitude cells, seeking a life of prayer far above the distractions of the world.

Fairy Chimneys Tourism Information

As you conclude your walk near the entrance area, take a look at the broader horizon. This site serves as a perfect vantage point to understand the scale of the Erciyes and Hasan mountain eruptions that blanketed this region in ash millions of years ago. The information center here provides context on the UNESCO World Heritage status of the area. From here, you can see the path leading back toward the village of Çavuşin or the pottery center of Avanos. The landscape you’ve just traversed is constantly changing; every rainstorm and wind gust subtly reshapes these chimneys, meaning the view you see today is unique to this very moment in time.

Frequently Asked Questions

A self-guided walk typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. This includes roughly 40 minutes to explore the three valleys of Zelve and 30 minutes to admire the fairy chimneys at Paşabağ.