Cappadocia Road Bike Touring
Tour Highlights:
- Meandering between the legendary rock valleys and “fairy chimneys” of Göreme
- Staying in an Ottoman “konak” boutique hotel in the ancient village of Güzelyurt
- Discovering the true Cappadocia in off-the-beaten-track villages
- Admiring the canyon and huge rock formations of the Ihlara Valley
- Enjoying the alpine countryside of Çukurbağ in the Aladağlar Mountains National Park
- Going underground at the subterranean city of Derinkuyu
- The big climb up and over the shoulder of Erciyes volcano
Tour Details:
The surreal rock formations, cave churches and iconic “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia make it one of Turkey’s most captivating travel destinations, but it’s traffic-free roads and incredible vistas also make it the perfect setting for a cycling tour. This journey combines Cappadocia’s lunar landscapes with the remote Aladağlar (Crimson Mountains), where dramatic limestone peaks rise above forests, canyons and waterfalls. There is much to explore along the way, and beyond the usual scope of stop-learn-take photo you will genuinely be able to explore and discover yourselves. Cappadocia is a land that frees the Indiana Jones inside us all, with history around every corner and an incredible mix of colours and cultures.
Depending on the pace and preferences of the group, the route can be a challenging adventure for fit, experienced cyclists, with plenty of big climbs, fast descents and long, scenic stretches of varied terrain. The support vehicle is always on hand if you prefer to take it easier on the climbs or shorten the day’s distance. Whatever your pace, there is plenty of time to explore the sights and enjoy the experience.
Where possible, we stay at boutique hotels that offer traditional cave or arched stone rooms and generous, authentic mealtimes with plenty of choice and variety. In most cases these are family-owned, small hotels, which reflect the nature, history and culture of the area well. Food is a real highlight of the tour- expect hearty portions of central Anatolian specialties like pottery kebab, home-made ravioli and meat and vegetables stewed in clay casserole dishes, alongside lighter dishes like meze, fresh green salads and vegetables.
Our company has been based in Göreme, Cappadocia for the last 25 years- we know the region like the backs of our hands and have a reputation built on experience.
Forthcoming Departures:
Open Group Tours are scheduled as follows:
26 September – 3 October 2026
8 – 15 May 2027
Other dates and bespoke trips are always possible- just drop us a line!
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer from Kayseri Airport to Ürgüp
We meet you at Kayseri Airport and transfer to a lovely boutique cave hotel in Urgup, where you’ll stay for an extra day before the tour starts.
Day 2: Ürgüp – Sarıhıdır – Özkonak (Picnic lunch) – Avanos – Zelve – Çavuşin – Göreme
Total 67km / 1100m climb / 1100m descent
We begin the ride by rounding Bozdağ table top mountain and Devrent valley to our left, before finally arriving at the great Kızılırmak. Turkey’s longest river is clean, fast flowing and a gorgeous emerald green here, where we cross at the little visited village of Sarıhıdır. From here, our ride takes us up into the hills to the historical town of Özkonak where we can visit the underground city and have our picnic lunch in a tea cafe there. After lunch we take a fast and long downhill to arrive in Avanos- a small but thriving town, famous for its pottery and winemaking- a fantastic place to relax and check out the local handicrafts. From there we continue onwards, visiting the “fairy chimneys” at Zelve and Paşabağ- one of the areas must-see geographic sights! We continue to Çavuşin, where we have a chance to visit rock cut churches and ancient cave dwellings. Then an easy ride takes us to the base of Love Valley, named after its particularly phallic stone towers, and on to Göreme- the vibrant backpacker-loved village right in the centre of Cappadocia’s heart.
Day 3: Hot Air Balloon Flight (optional) – Göreme – Uçhisar – Ürgüp – Akköy – Yeşilhisar (Restaurant Lunch) – Soğanlı – Şahinefendi – Cemil
Total 104km / 1550m climb / 1350m descent
This morning you might like to see the dawn from a Hot Air Balloon flight- respected as a “must do” in Cappadocia, and an awesome way to see the roads that you rode yesterday from a completely different perspective. This optional tour is an unmissable experience, and you’ll be back in time for breakfast! From Göreme we climb out of the valley, enjoying tremendous panorama’s, to arrive in Uchisar- an iconic Cappadocian village with stunning hilltop rock cut castle from where we can enjoy superb views of the whole area. Passing Ortahisar and the centre of Ürgüp we begin a long, gentle climb into a green valley, passing the picturesque village of Akköy on the way. We drop down onto a wide-open agricultural plateau, and with great views of Erciyes mountain have a short, fast stretch along the highway (hard shoulder available- riding is safe). Heading back into the hills at Yeşilhisar we have lunch in a local restaurant, before heading into the canyon landscapes of Soganli, and the final challenging big climb up and over to Şahinefendi. The last part of the ride is gentle and scenic, and a really pleasant end to the day! We overnight in a local homestay- with wonderful organic food and true local hospitality.
Day 4: Transfer – Nar Lake – Gülağaç – Selime (Restaurant lunch) – Ihlara – Güzelyurt
Total 62km / 700m climb / 600m descent
Today’s ride is relatively flat, offering a perfect scenic contrast between vast wide open plains and the awesome “Grand” canyon of Ihlara. We begin with a transfer via Derinkuyu (possible visit to the underground city) and continue out into wild, open uplands to our start point of Nar Golu crater lake. Now well out of the usual tourist realm we find ourselves in a place where shepherds guard huge herds of sheep and goats and people live in much the same way as they have done for generations. Continuing via Gulagac, we soon arrive at the many old houses of Demirci where we stop for drinks. From here our ride is mainly downhill through fantastic arid rocky scenery- arriving at Selime where we enjoy a restaurant lunch on the riverside. Now, our route climbs out of the Ihlara Canyon, and passes by Ihlara town for a super view of the deep upper canyon. After a good climb we arrive at the historic town of Guzelyurt and stay in one of the region’s most splendid hotels. Our host in Guzelyurt is a collection of restored and beautifully furnished Ottoman “konaks”- collections of wealthy town houses built from cut stone with arched ceilings and plenty of regal charm. All in all a hugely rewarding ride!
Day 5: Guzelyurt – Sivrihisar – Çiftlik – Altunhisar (Restaurant Lunch) – Niğde
Total 81km / 1150m climb / 1400m descent
From Güzelyurt (1430m) our route climbs steadily to the village of Sivrihisar (1780m) with increasingly epic views over the wide open expanses below. We carry on into wild, largely untravelled countryside, dropping down in the remote rural village of Çiftlik. From here we have a big climb (425m in 6.7km) amongst towering mountainous peaks and wonderful scenery to cross the Melendes Mountains. This is our most challenging climb to date but the gradient is gentle and the effort sustained. After recovering for little at the top we enjoy an epic 900m descent back to the flat plains of Niğde, and have lunch in a really good local restaurant in Altunhisar. The afternoon’s ride is much flatter and on larger roads, stopping off for a well earned break at the green gardens of Pınarbaşı (60km) before cruising into the provincial capital of Niğde (Nee-Deh). Traffic isn’t too bad but the driver can wait at the edge of the city and transfer you in if you don’t fancy braving the streets! Nigde is an interesting town- untouristic and conservative but with a certain character of its own. We stay in the city centre at the best hotel in town and enjoy a drink or two on the hotel terrace.
Day 6: Transfer – Üçkapılı – Çamardı – Kavaklitepe Pass (Picnic lunch), Kovali dam – Sultan Marshes National Park
Total 90km / 600m climb / 1500m descent
Today we make an early start and transfer out of Niğde to Gümüşler, where we visit the impressive rock cut monastery complex. This monastery is an unknown treasure, with some of Cappadocia’s best examples of Byzantine art- superb, high colour frescoes dating from the 11th Century. We continue driving and begin riding at the summit of a ridge of hills that separate Nigde from the Aladağlar proper. The impending downhill is highly enjoyable, starting off with a gorgeous road that follows a lush green stream valley. Our first views of the Crimson Mountains (Aladağlar) seen here are spine tingling in grandeur and beauty, and the majority of the ride will now be spent in the shadow of these towering limestone peaks. We soon arrive at Çamardı- a picturesque farming town right on the edge of the mountains, and carry on to skirt the edge of the massif besides apple orchards and wonderful scenery in every direction. We enjoy a hearty picnic lunch on the Kavaklitepe Pass at 1760m and from there the rest of the ride is mostly downhill. We set off through remote, upland hills where we’ll see shepherds guarding huge flocks of sheep. Finally, we begin a long descent past the Kovali Dam, rejoining the Anatolian Plateau at about 1000m. Here we overnight close to the edge of the famous Sultan Marshes (Sultansazlığı), one of Turkey’s foremost birdwatching highlights (where a guided birdwatching tour tomorrow morning should be possible.
Day 7: Short transfer to Mustafabeyli – Develi (Restaurant Lunch) – Erciyes Mountain – Hacilar – Kiziloren – Short transfer to hotel
Total 86km / 1750m climb / 1400m descent
After a short transfer, we begin riding on a level road that crosses the plains nearby to the Sultan Sazligi marshes, getting ever closer to the towering volcanic peak of Mt. Erciyes. After a good restaurant lunch in the market town of Develi we begin the biggest climb of the tour- up to a 2200m pass gives and offering incredible views of the 3916m (12848 feet) dormant volcano. Note- if you prefer, you can ride in the support vehicle up this big hill! The last section of the tour circles Mt. Erciyes, passing through wonderful mountain scenery, and eventually dropping us back down onto the plains near Kayseri in the village of Kiziloren. Here, your support vehicle will be waiting to take you across Kayseri, where (subject to availabilty) we stay at a charming, not-for-profit hotel that’s run by a women’s cooperative.
Day 8: Transfer to Kayseri Airport
Today, we drive you 30 minutes to Kayseri Airport, where the tour ends.
Tour ends at Kayseri Airport.
Tour Information:
Price (per person):
There are 2 options available: Göreme Ozkonak Aladağlar
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 FX hybrid road / sport bikes): 300 Euros
Road Bike Rental (High quality road bikes with alu or carbon frames. Price depending on availability): 250-500 Euros
eBike Rental (Trek Powerfly): 480 Euros
Hot air balloon flight- currently 300 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.
Start / finish point:
Kayseri.
Grade:
Challenging sectors and a daily distance of around 80km requires a good level of fitness, although a support car is provided.
Equipment advice: A road bike or lightweight touring bike is strongly recommended for this tour. We recommend 25-35mm tyres, ideally of a toughened type, as the road surfaces can sometimes be a little rough.
Private Tour Reservation Form
