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Cappadocia Adventure Gravel Bikepacking
Tour Highlights:
- Hotel-to-hotel cycling on quiet roads, farm tracks and singletrack trails
- Self-guided and guided options available
- Relaxed cycling and sightseeing with optional extra activities
- Wonderful, stone built, boutique “cave” hotels
- Delicious, local food in fine restaurants and family run guesthouses
- Enjoy unique scenery and a perfect climate from spring to autumn
- Enjoy a hot air balloon ride above the Cappadocian valleys
- Take a walk along the Ihlara Canyon- Turkey’s “Grand” Canyon by name and nature
- Luggage transport and roadside support car assistance
- Discover the real Cappadocia- with the option to carry your own kit, and loos the support vehicle!
- Suitable for grravel bikes, lightweight MTB’s, touring bikes, e-bikes and pretty much everything imaginable!
Tour Details:
This relatively wild and challenging journey offers a true taste of Cappadocia’s finest landscapes, history and local hospitality without being too technical or physically intense. It connects incredible historical sights, off the beaten track villages and un-missable panoramas with wonderful cycling routes on dirt tracks, quiet roads and smooth flowing off road trails. The tour is a journey of discovery, spanning much of the region including the Ihlara Canyon, Soganli Valley, and “Fairy Chimney” lunar landscape that stretches from Mustafapasa to Goreme. It’s a mix of gravel bike trails, relaxed on road touring and some easy (but enjoyable) mountain biking that is suitable for all cyclists. The emphasis is on discovery, and there are plenty of sights, things to do and unforgettable photo opportunities throughout. This tour is a great choice for small groups, couples and families.
Self guided tours include full hotel to hotel luggage transportation and airport transfers, leaving you to travel light. For self-guided programmes we provide a self guiding pack which includes detailed map, route directions, local info, language starters, details of sights along the way, and of course a GPS file of the whole route. Evening meals are included on the first four days and lunches can be added to your package, as can hotel upgrades.
Shorter or longer tours are also available, and the option to have a car and English speaking driver on hand 24/7 is also there for extra security should you wish- please let us know if you wish to add this to your package.
Why?
We have been based in Goreme, the jewel in Cappadocia’s crown, for the last 10 years, and know the region’s trails like the backs of our hands. There can be few better places to ride a mountain bike on this earth. So many trails and so much variety this is a single track paradise.
When?
Cappadocia enjoys a continental climate of long, dry summers and cold winters, often with heavy snow. The best time to ride is May – June and September – October though the itineraries we offer are broadly possible right through from April to November.
How?
Fly to Nevsehir and Kayseri from Istanbul, with connecting flights worldwide. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines both have really good deals if you book in advance.
About the Area:
The remains of the millions years ago volcanic eruptions, shaped by the wind and rain for thousands of years, have formed one of natures most spectacular masterpieces: Strange rock formations, called: “fairy chimneys”. Settled throughout time by Hittite, Persian, Romans, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations, many of these caves are still decorated with icons and wall paintings from the early Christian times. Cappadocia is a land rich with history and filled with natural wonders.
Tour Route Program:
Day 1: Flight to Nevsehir / Kayseri Airport.
Transfer to Goreme. The transfer takes around 40 minutes and 1 hour from Nevsehir and Kayseri respectively. You will settle in to the comfort of a good quality “Cave” hotel, and will return here at the end of the tour should you need to leave any excess baggage / bike bags etc. There should be time to assemble and /or fit bikes, have dinner and soak up the unforgettable atmosphere here. You can also visit our office, discuss the tour ahead, and check your bikes and spare parts kits with our experts.
Day 2: Transfer – Mamasun Lake – Catalsu – Kizilkaya – Selime
Total 30km / 330m climb / 260m descent
After an early breakfast, we drive you for 1.5 hours to Selime (in the south of Cappadocia) and begin a ride that explores the Ihlara Canyon. . The canyon itself has fantastic views and sheer rock faces on each side and 28 rock-cut churches to explore- a real highlight of the region. After 9km of singletrack MTB riding (one section on foot) you arrive at Belisirma- a great place for a morning drink. From Belisirma, you continue on a quiet asphalt road to Ihlara village at the canyon’s head (some restaurants and shops are available, only a short detour off the marked route). You follow quiet asphalt and dirt roads via Ihlara village into the wide open rolling foothills of the Melendes mountains and the village of Kitreli, (where there are local restaurants to have lunch). From here, you ride on quiet asphalt roads to Ilisu village, and then on dirt road to Guzelyurt- with commanding views over the flat lands and canyon below. After 40km riding, you arrive in Guzelyurt’s Monastery Valley- a charming historical part of the town with lots to see including 19th century “Small Hagia Sofia, underground cities (bring a torch!) and rock cut churches. Tonight you stay in one of Cappadocia’s finest “Konak” luxury boutique hotels and enjoy a real taste of Ottoman grandeur. Note- there is a big hill leading up to Kitreli and the ride may be shortened by following the signposted asphalt road direct from Ihlara to Ilisu.
Day 3: Short transfer – Selime – Ihlara Valley – Belisirma – Ihlara village – Kitreli – Ilisu – Guzelyurt
Total 42km/ 1050m climb / 700m descent
This is a challenging 2nd day’s ride, although as much of the way is on asphalted back roads the distance and elevation are easily conquered! After an early breakfast, we have a short transfer back down the hill to Selime (where the tour left off yesterday). The canyon itself has fantastic views and sheer rock faces on each side and 28 rock-cut churches to explore- a real highlight of the region. After 9km of singletrack MTB riding (one section on foot) you arrive at Belisirma- a great place for a morning drink. From Belisirma, you continue on a quiet asphalt road to Ihlara village at the canyon’s head (some restaurants and shops are available, only a short detour off the marked route). You follow quiet asphalt and dirt roads via Ihlara village into the wide open rolling foothills of the Melendes mountains and the village of Kitreli, (where there are local restaurants to have lunch). From here, you ride on quiet asphalt roads to Ilisu village, and then on dirt road to Guzelyurt- with commanding views over the flat lands and canyon below. After 40km riding, you arrive in Guzelyurt’s Monastery Valley- a charming historical part of the town with lots to see including 19th century “Small Hagia Sofia, underground cities (bring a torch!) and rock cut churches. Tonight you stay in one of Cappadocia’s finest “Konak” luxury boutique hotels and enjoy a real taste of Ottoman grandeur. Note- there is a big hill leading up to Kitreli and the ride may be shortened by following the signposted asphalt road direct from Ihlara to Ilisu.
Day 4: Guzelyurt – Sivrihisar – Red Church – Nar Lake – Sofular – Gaziemir – Soğanlı
Total 32km / 720m climb / 950m descent
The ride begins from the hotel and takes you up over a 1780m pass at Sivrihisar village 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 that dates from the 5th or 6th century. From there, we cross a relatively flat mountain “yayla”- a green pasture surrounded by mountains where you will see shepherds and their flocks. Following a dirt road across the grassy plain we’ll pass our first “fairy chimney” rocks before descending to Nar village.
From Nar Village we climb up through the old village and arrive right on the crater of Nar Lake- an awesome extinct volcanic caldera whose sulphurous waters are an ever-changing chameleon of greens, yellows and blues. We follow a rough dirt track (vertiginous and singletrack in places- caution!) down to the lakeshore- an excellent spot for a picnic lunch. You continue downhill through Sofular Valley to reach the little-visited village of Gaziemir- home to a huge underground city complex that you might like to visit. A taste a unexplored and off the beaten track Anatolian rural life- there’s plenty to take in though and lots of photo opportunities! We meet our driver in Gaziemir, and after visiting the underground city there, transfer on to Soganli. In Soganli we stay in the homestead style traditional cave rooms of Emek Pension and enjoy a delicious meal on the terrace.
Day 5: Soganli – Baskoy – Derventbasi – Sobessos – Taskinpasa – Keslik – Mustafapasa
Total 46km / 700m climb / 870m descent
This morning starts with an optional circular bike tour (first on asphalt, then on singletrack trail) around the valley to visit several incredible rock cut churches. It then continues on a quiet asphalt road past Guzeloz to the lovely little village of Baskoy. From here a tractor track leads up through green trees to Debenbasi at the head of the canyon. From here you set off on easy dirt roads, gradually climbing up over the Sahinefendi Pass before dropping down into the Damsa valley where we visit the Roman ruins at Sobessos- unique in Cappadocia with some very fine mosaics. Follow the road north, visiting the medresse and Selcuk mosque at Taskinpasa and the monastery at Keslik. Amidst awesome scenery this ride is a perfect balance of restful freewheeling and memorable historic sites. From Cemil you turn onto a dirt road and follow through paradise scenery of vineyards, fruit trees and first tastes of the “fairy chimney” valleys with great views of the Damsa lake below. Finally you arrive into Mustafapasa, and have time to explore this fascinating historical Greek village before relaxing for the evening in the comfort and splendor of the Old Greek House hotel- one of the region’s most enigmatic historic buildings with an excellent dining pedigree too.
Day 6:Mustafapaşa – Gomeda Valley – Uzengi Valley – Ortahisar – Ibrahimpaşa – Uçhisar – Göreme
Total 34km / 800m climb / 750m descent
Today you set off on a tour of unsurpassed panoramas, through some of Cappadocia’s most awesome and memorable terrain. Towering “fairy chimneys”- interestingly shaped giant rock stacks- and sharply ridged, deeply eroded rocky corridors give the landscape a lunar feel. This is balanced perfectly by green, lush valleys over brimming with fruit trees, vines, and poplars. From Mustafapasa you follow a scenic dirt road down into Gomeda valley, where you head lightly downhill, following a meandering stream through green woodlands, vineyards and pastures. Note- this 5km section is on singletrail with many small bridges to cross! There are some steeper sections where you might need to push the bike, so please take your time and enjoy it! After a seemingly long time in the wilderness, you emerge at the “Uzengi” picnic place , and turn out of the valley, climbing steadily towards your next destination- the hillside fortified village of Ortahisar.
After lunch, you shortly retrace your steps, and follow the tractor track up through Balkonderesi valley to Ibrahimpasa, where you can stopand drink tea in a tradtitional teahouse. You then begin a big climb on a beautiful dirt track that takes us up towards Ibrahimpasa village- a picturesque, unspoiled place with plenty of local charm. You continue to a panoramic viewpoint on Karlitepe high above the Goreme valley and enjoy one of the area’s most stunning views. From here a rough tractor track takes you downhill to Uchisar- an unmissable setting with a chance to climb on foot to the top of it’s imposing rock hewn hill fort. From here you follow an easy but superb dirt road that skirts the canyon edge of Love Valley, with fantastic views of unbelievable landscape of fairy chimneys and deeply eroded tuff rock scenery. It’s also possible to follow a singletrack trail in the valley itself for those with MTB experience! From the bottom of White Valley you take a sandy dirt road to Goreme- right in the centre of the wonderful touristic heart of the region. Goreme is a lively and youthful place, in touch with its roots as a backpacker hub and offering a wide range of cafes, bars and restaurants. It’s also right at the centre of an indescribable moonscape of needle splined tuff ridges, steep sided canyons and “fairy chimneys”- epic stacks of rock carved with age old cave houses, churches and beautifully decorated pigeon lofts.
Day 7: Göreme – Gorkundere – Cavusin – Urgup – Rose Valley – Göreme
Total: 33 km / 500m Climbing / 500m Descent
This circular ride from Goreme circumnavigates the table top mountain known locally as Boz Dagi. Leaving Goreme, the route takes you first through the beguiling backstreets of the old village, past rustic caves and rock carved settlements that have been turned into boutique hotels and charming shops over the last 20 years. You explore the scenic Gorkundere valley, and gawp at the towering “fairy chimneys” there. The route here is “same way up as down”, leaving you free to explore as much or as little as you prefer- also on foot if you choose to leave the bikes. From there, you head out across the dusty plains to Cavusin, enjoying fleeting glimpses over to Rose and Red Valleys to the right. Stopping in Cavusin to visit the impressive 5th century Church of St John the Baptist, you set off on a relatively flat, sandy dirt track via the incredible “fairy chimneys” of Pasabagi, to the dry, barren landscape of Devrent Valley. From here, a brief asphalt climb rewards you with an easy cruise downhill to the vibrant and youthful town of Urgup- where you can enjoy a good restaurant lunch on the town square. From Urgup you take a gently climbing dirt road up a delightful, shady valley that is awash with butterflies and wildflowers in the early season. You gain height relatively easily, and without too much exertion arrive at the Panormic Viewpoint above Red Valley- to enjoy one of the region’s most fantastic landscapes. From your high point here, you descend on smooth, ever-narrowing and eventually very steep trails that bisect a spur separating Rose and Kiliclar valleys. The final section of the tour is on singletrack paths, but even first time mountain bikers will enjoy their smooth, undulating nature as we wonders back to Goreme via the stone stacks, rock-cut pigeon lofts and age-old churches of Swords Valley (Kiliclar). The end of a fairly challenging but hugely rewarding last day!
After lunch an easy dirt track climb brings us to the Panoramic Viewpoint for perhaps the hardest but most incredible of all the trails… We call it The Balkon. Though not for the faint hearted everyone is able to tackle the 7km downhill trail at their own speed, and there is no shame in walking some of the steeper sectors. However, the great riding through boulder strewn and deeply eroded gullies is reminiscent of Zion, Utah, and of Red Bull’s legendary Rampage- live your dreams! We return to Goreme and have the option to spend the afternoon in the nearby small town of Avanos, where we can visit an artisanal ceramics workshop and museum! A tougher day than the modest km’s suggest, but world-class trail riding in every respect.
Day 8:Transfer to Nevsehir ot Kayseri Airport for onward travel
We transfer you back to Nevsehir / Kayseri Airport for flight home or onwards journey.
The tour ends here.
Tour Information:
Price (per person):
There are 2 options available:
1: Guided
2120 Euros per person (based on a minimum of four people in the group).
For groups of two or three people the tour is possible, subject to a 25% surcharge. Guided price includes all meals and snacks.
Options:
Single room occupancy guarantee: 420 Euros.
Bike rental (Trek Roscoe 8): 300 Euros
eBike rental (Trek Powerfly): 480 Euros
Hot air balloon flight- currently 280 Euros.
Price includes:
7 nights high quality hotel accommodation including boutique cave hotels and Ottoman mansions. Evening meals in hotel restaurants on 3 nights. Transfers to and from Nevsehir or Kayseri airport. All baggage transfers and use of support vehicle and driver where required. Self Guiding pack (route directions, maps and GPS files).
Price does not include:
Flights, lunches, entrance fees, guiding, tips, bike hire.
Tour Length:
8 days
Start / finish point:
Kayseri or Nevsehir (Nevsehir recommended)
Features:
6 days multi centre road and off road touring on quiet country lanes, farm tracks and singletrack trails.
Equipment advice:
A mountain bike fitted with off road tyres and ideally front suspension is required for this tour.
Dates:
Self-guided departures available from March to November.