Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Aksaray

Aksaray Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Where to walk in Aksaray — from easy half-days to serious treks, with honest difficulty grades.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

The short answer: start with Ihlara Valley Full Walk (Ihlara to Selime), Ihlara Stairway to Belisırma (Short Walk) and Monastery Valley Walk (Güzelyurt). This guide profiles 6+ hiking trails in Aksaray, with prices, timing, and the practical notes that decide whether each one earns a place in your plan.

Aksaray is a province in Central Anatolia (İç Anadolu), Turkey, on the southwestern edge of the Cappadocia region. It is best known for the Ihlara Valley, a 14-kilometre canyon lined with Byzantine rock-cut churches and frescoes, the towering Selime Monastery, and the Sultanhanı Caravanserai, the largest Seljuk han in Turkey. With the volcanic cone of Hasan Mountain on the horizon, the salt expanse of Lake Tuz to the north, and Göreme roughly an hour east, Aksaray serves as an uncrowded gateway to Cappadocia.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Ihlara Valley Full Walk (Ihlara to Selime)

    14 km one-way (Ihlara village to Selime)4-6 hours one-waymoderateCanyon rim at approx 1,100 m; valley floor at approx 800 m; descent of about 300 m via 360 steps at the main entrance

  2. 2

    Ihlara Stairway to Belisırma (Short Walk)

    3.5 km one-way to Belisırma1.5-2.5 hourseasy300 m descent at the 360-step stairway then flat riverside path

  3. 3

    Monastery Valley Walk (Güzelyurt)

    4-5 km loop or one-way1.5-2.5 hourseasyMinor undulation; mostly flat valley floor

  4. 4

    Hasandağı Summit Trek

    12-16 km round trip from Helvadere trailhead (depending on route)8-12 hours round tripexpertTrailhead approx 1,600 m; summit 3,253 m; total gain ~1,650 m

  5. 5

    Selime to Yaprakhisar Rock Ridge Walk

    3-5 km1.5-2 hourseasyMinor; mostly gentle path between rock formations

  6. 6

    Güzelyurt to Ihlara Valley (Cross-Country Walk)

    10-12 km one-way (cross-country via plateau)4-5 hoursmoderateHigh plateau walk; some descent into the canyon

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.

Moderate

Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.

Hard

Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.

Expert

Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Aksaray.

Items

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

Medium

Hazard: 360-step steep stone stairway at the main Ihlara Valley entrance; slippery when wet

Medium

Hazard: Flash flooding in the Ihlara gorge after heavy rain in the catchment uphill — check conditions at the ticket booth

Medium

Hazard: Loose scree and unpredictable afternoon cloud on Hasandağı upper slopes

Medium

Hazard: Free-roaming cattle and dogs on rural paths around Helvadere and Güzelyurt

Medium

Hazard: Strong UV radiation at altitude; heatstroke risk on plateau paths June-August

Medium

Hazard: Limited mobile phone signal inside the Ihlara gorge — download offline maps before entering

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