A scenic walk through the Beypazarı valley east of the historic Ottoman town, with views of the terraced hills, old carrot fields, and fairy chimney-like rock formations. Combine with a visit to the town's bazaar and Ottoman mansions.
The Beypazarı Valley Walk is a 6-kilometre route through the semi-arid valley landscape surrounding Beypazarı, a historic Ottoman market town located approximately 100 kilometres west of central Ankara in Ankara Province. The walk combines natural scenery with direct access to one of Turkey's best-preserved provincial Ottoman townscapes.
Beypazarı is reached by bus from Ankara's AŞTİ terminal (approximately 90 minutes; roughly 80 TRY one-way), or by private car or taxi via the D-200 highway westward. The trailhead is effectively the town centre itself — walks depart from the main bazaar area and head east or south into the surrounding valley along farm tracks visible from the town edge. No permit is required.
The valley terrain consists of eroded sedimentary hills with cream and ochre rock formations resembling the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia on a modest scale. The route follows dirt paths and farm tracks across the valley floor and up onto the lower terraces, with approximately 100 metres of cumulative elevation gain. The surface is firm in dry conditions but becomes sticky clay after rain. Shade is minimal — the landscape is open scrubland and agricultural terracing.
Key landmarks include the rock-cut formations immediately south-east of town visible from the main road, the traditional carrot fields on the lower valley floor (Beypazarı is the most celebrated carrot-growing district in Turkey, known for its distinctive long, pale variety), and the Ottoman mansion quarter (konak district) on the hillside above the bazaar. The hilltop fortress ruins above town offer an optional extension with panoramic valley views.
Water is not available along the valley trail itself; the town's cafés and restaurants are the nearest reliable source. Return to the town centre is straightforward from any point on the loop. Combining the valley walk with a visit to the covered bazaar, the museum of Ottoman domestic life in a restored konak, and lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Ankara Province cuisine makes for a satisfying full-day excursion from Ankara.
Trail facts
- Best season
- Spring and autumn
- Terrain
- Dirt paths and farm tracks
Highlights
- Rocky valley formations
- Historic Ottoman town
- Carrot fields (Beypazarı is Turkey's carrot capital)
- Village life
Tips for visiting
- Carry water — no sources exist on the valley trail itself and afternoon sun on the open terrain can be intense.
- Wear sun protection including a hat and sunscreen, as the route offers minimal shade for much of its length.
- The bazaar is at its liveliest on weekday mornings; most vendors pack up by mid-afternoon and the market is quieter on Sundays.
- Avoid the valley floor in wet weather — the unpaved tracks become slippery clay mud that is difficult to walk on and hard to clean from shoes.
- Beypazarı is famous for its handcrafted silver jewellery alongside its carrots — budget time for the covered bazaar before or after the walk.
When to visit
Spring (April to May) is the best season, with wildflowers covering the valley slopes and mild temperatures ideal for the exposed open terrain. Autumn (September to October) offers similarly pleasant conditions. Summer visitors should start before 09:00 to avoid the intense midday heat on the shadeless tracks.
Accessibility
The Beypazarı Valley Walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The valley floor track is unpaved and uneven, and hillside sections involve loose stone and significant steps. The town centre and bazaar streets are partially accessible but many involve steep cobbled slopes.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors reach Beypazarı from Ankara?
Frequent buses depart from AŞTİ (Ankara's intercity bus terminal) to Beypazarı, taking approximately 90 minutes and costing around 80 TRY one-way. By car, the journey takes about 1 hour via the D-200 highway westbound.
Is the valley walk a signposted route?
The valley is not formally signed as a hiking trail; the route follows farm tracks visible from the town edge. First-time visitors may find it helpful to ask at a local café for directions to the rock formations.
What are the carrot fields and why are they notable?
Beypazarı is Turkey's most celebrated carrot-growing region, producing an unusually pale and long variety used in Turkish cuisine and sweets. The fields on the valley floor are most visible in the growing season from spring through early winter.
Is it possible to hire a local guide in Beypazarı?
Formal guided walking tours are rare, but the town's municipal tourism office can advise on local assistance. Some residents near the bazaar offer informal guiding for visitors.
Are there restaurants in Beypazarı?
Yes — the town has several traditional restaurants in and around the bazaar district serving local Ankara Province cuisine, including güveç (clay-pot stew) and carrot-based desserts unique to the region.