Cappadocia & Central Anatolia - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 506

Walking

Göreme village is surrounded by the magnificent Göreme National Park . The valleys
are easily explored on foot; each needs about one to three hours. Most are interconnected,
so you could easily combine several in a day, especially with the help of the area's many
dolmuşes. Don't forget a bottle of water and sunscreen. Pensions have basic maps and can
recommend good routes.
Although many of the valleys now have trailhead signposts and signage has been put up
at strategic points along the paths of Güllüdere and Kızılçukur Valleys, many of the trails
remain only basically marked and there's no detailed map of the area available. It's quite
easy to get lost if you don't stick to the trails.

MEHMET GÜNGÖR
Offline map Google map

| Walking

( 0532 382 2069; www.walkingmehmet.com ; Noriyon Cafe, Müze Caddesi; 4hr/full day €60/80)
Göreme's most-experienced local walking guide has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the
surrounding valley trails and can put together itineraries to suit all interests and levels of
fitness.

Hot-Air Ballooning

Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world for hot-air balloon flights. Flight condi-
tions are favourable, with balloons operating most mornings throughout the year. It's a
truly magical experience and many travellers judge it to be the highlight of their trip.
Book a dawn flight; on later-morning flights, winds can become unreliable and poten-
tially dangerous. Transport between your hotel and the balloon launch site is included in
the hefty price, as is a champagne toast.