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Turkey Bike Tour - Cappadocia Trails
Duration
7 days
Site savings
$65
From
$2,085 USD
Join an active 7-day adventure in Turkey riding the Cappadocia Trails. Deep in the heart of Turkey Kapadokya, ancient volcanic eruptions dispersed thick ash, which solidified into a soft rock—called tuff—tens of metres thick. Wind and water went to work on this plateau creating a fairy tale landscape of cones, pillars, pinnacles, mushrooms, and chimneys. Thousands of years ago, humans took a cue from Mother Nature carved tunnels into the soft rock, and an underground urbanized landscape was created, living at one with nature rather than imposing upon it.
- CategoryMountain Biking
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration7 days
- Culture LevelAdventurous
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level2 - Moderate
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMountainous
- Distance118.7 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance23.6 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration7 days
- Main DestinationTurkey
- Distance118.7 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance23.6 miles
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMountainous
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Arrive in Goreme
You will be welcomed upon your arrival flight at Kayseri Airport and transfer to your hotel in Goreme. The rest of your day is free. In the evening, you'll meet for a trip briefing and dinner.
- Holiday Cave Hotel
- Dinner
- Day 2Selime - Ihlara Village - Guzelyurt
In the early morning, you'll take a 1.5-hour transfer to Selime, a city with more than 100 churches from the Byzantine period. You'll get your bike fitted ready for the adventure.
From Belisirma, you'll climb out of the canyon, following quiet asphalt and dirt roads to Ihlara as you approach the wide-open rolling foothills of the Melendes Mountains. You'll climb steadily to the village of Kitreli, where you'll stop for lunch. From here, it's downhill to Ilisu village and then on to Guzelyurt on a lovely dirt road, with commanding views over the flat lands and canyon below. You'll arrive in Guzelyurt's Monastery Valley, a charming historical part of the town with lots to see, including 19th-century Little Hagia Sofia, underground cities (don't forget a torch!), and rock-cut churches. Tonight, you'll relax your muscles in one of Cappadocia’s finest “Konak” luxury boutique hotels and enjoy a real taste of Ottoman grandeur.
- 24.9 miles
- 2,165.4 ft
2,165.4 ft - Kapadokya Ihlara Konaklari
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Guzelyurt - Gaziemir - Soganli
Today's ride takes you up to a 1780-m pass at Sivrihisar with fantastic views over the plains below. The route descends through the old, deserted part of the village to Red Church, one of the oldest Cappadocian Orthodox churches, dating from the 5th or 6th century. From here, you'll cross “yayla”, a green pasture surrounded by mountains where you will see shepherds and their flocks. Following a dirt road across the grassy plain, you'll spot your first “fairy chimney” rocks before descending to Nar village. This section can be impassable after heavy rain due to clay and mud; in which case, an alternative asphalt route is available. You'll climb up through the old village and arrive right on the crater of Nar Lake, an awesome extinct volcanic caldera, whose sulphurous waters are ever-changing greens, yellows and blues. You'll follow a rough dirt track down to the lakeshore for a picnic lunch.
You'll then continue downhill through Sofular Valley to reach the little-visited village of Gaziemir, home to a huge underground city complex that is worth a visit. While you are exploring Anatolian rural life, there are also plenty of photo opportunities before meeting the driver in Gaziemir. After visiting the underground city, you'll transfer to Soganli for a night in the traditional, homestead-style cave rooms of Emek Pension and enjoy a delicious meal on the terrace.
- 19.9 miles
- 2,362.2 ft
2,362.2 ft - Emek Pension
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 4 Soganli - Mustafapasa
Amidst photogenic scenery, today's ride is a perfect balance of restful freewheeling and memorable historic sites. This morning starts with a circular bike tour around the valley to visit several incredible rock-cut churches. You'll cycle on asphalt and single-track trails past Guzeloz to the lovely little village of Baskoy. From here, a wide dirt track leads up through green trees to Debenbasi, at the head of the canyon. Then you'll gradually climb up over the Sahinefendi Pass before dropping down into the Damsa Valley, where you'll visit the Roman ruins at Sobessos, unique in Cappadocia.
After a picnic lunch, you'll follow the road north, stopping to visit the Medresse and Selcuk Mosques at Taskinpasa and the monastery at Keslik. From Cemil, you'll turn onto a dirt road for a scenic ride through vineyards, fruit trees, and “fairy chimney” valleys. You'll overnight at Mustafapasa and have time to explore this fascinating historical Greek village before relaxing for the evening in the comfort and splendour of your hotel - one of the region’s most enigmatic historic buildings.
- 29.8 miles
- 2,450.8 ft
2,450.8 ft - Old Greek House
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Mustafapasa - Goreme
You'll ride through some of Cappadocia’s most memorable terrain. From Mustafapasa, you'll follow a very scenic dirt road through Gomeda Valley and climb slowly on a beautiful dirt track that takes you up towards Ibrahimpasi village, a picturesque, unspoilt place with plenty of local charm. You'll continue to a panoramic viewpoint on Karlitepe, high above Goreme Valley, and enjoy one of the area’s most stunning horizons. From here, a rough dirt track takes you downhill to the town of Uchisar that is dwarfed by an imposing rock hewn hill fort. After a wander through, you'll have lunch, and then it's time to hit the trails again.
Riding on a dirt road that skirts the canyon edge of White Valley, you'll have fantastic views of fairy chimneys and deeply eroded rock scenery. You'll ride directly to Goreme and visit the Open-Air Museum to see the region’s finest examples of rock-cut churches and frescoes. You'll overnight in lively Goreme where there is a wide range of cafes, bars, and restaurants.
- 16.2 miles
- 2,296.6 ft
2,296.6 ft - Holiday Cave Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 6Goreme Loop
You'll ride on a dirt road for a superb circuit of Rose Valley and a visit to the Church of Columns on the way. You'll climb up through the barren Devrent Valley and enjoy a long downhill track that brings you out at the majestic Sarihan Caravanserai, a 13th century fortified trading post on the Silk Road. After a break in the ancient courtyard, you'll head off on an easy mountain biking trail that follows a stream with many water crossings (be prepared to get wet!) and meet up with Turkey’s longest river, the Kizilirmak. You'll follow paths beneath shady trees along the riverbank, past picnic spots, and on to Avanos, a quaint town famous for its quality ceramics. Avanos is a perfect place for a leisurely drink in the square or a stroll through its many bazaars and markets. Finally, you'll take a scenic dirt road tour back to Goreme. You'll meet up for a special farewell dinner at the nationally renowned Orient Restaurant.
- 28 miles
- 2,427.8 ft
2,427.8 ft - Holiday Cave Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Departure