Hike or Float in Cappadoccia?

I hiked some of the Cappadocian valleys, but did not take a balloon ride, so I can't compare the two methods of sight-seeing. I assume the balloon ride gives you spectacular overhead views with minimal effort. Hiking, though, would give you a different perspective. You can go inside a few rock churches, see pigeon holes, sample fresh-squeezed orange juice at times, peek inside a few fairy chimneys, and view the texture, colors, and shapes of the valley walls up-close. Depending on the routes you choose, hiking can be a pleasant walk or it can be a work-out.

Actually, you can do both. The balloon ride is early morning and you will return to your hotel in time for an 8:30-9:00 am breakfast. Then you can take off and
go hiking.

Yes - I've hiked there. I recommend the Ihlara Valley. Its forested and there are cave churches cut into the walls of the gorge that you can explore. It can be a full day or a half day depending on how much hiking you want to do. Have fun.

We hiked in the area and one of our group took the balloon ride and thought it was awesome. You have to get up around 4 am but you are done by 9 or so. It is not all that cheap from what I remember. The walking in the area is great as has been mentioned but do not forget to bring water!

Robin - I've done both and the balloon ride is an experience that you can't get with hiking. It's amazing - and this coming from someone terrified of heights. You just get a completely different perspective of Cappadoccia. The hiking is great too with unique things to see, but it's not unlike hiking in any other spectacular area - CA redwoods, Samaria Gorge (Crete), Hawaii, etc... Enjoy your trip!

Thanks everyone--great info! Can't wait to see it in person.

I never thought that I would ever want to take a balloon ride, but I did it! It was one of the most exciting and amazing things that I have ever done, and I was so glad that I did it.

We just returned from Turkey yesterday, and we did both hiking around Goreme as well as ballooning. Ballooning was $175 Euro per person so very expensive but we wanted the experience and it was worth it to us. We were picked up at 5am and were back at the hotel by 9am.......we also hiked and explored churches and the like. Ballooning gave us an entirely different perspective because we could see entire valleys. However if your budget precludes ballooning, ensure that you get to Uschitar (spelling) and climb to the top of teh rock astle.....you'll get a sense of what the ballooning views were. there is also a nice hike aroudn Goreme.......the Zelve valley if I remember correctly.....go past the hotel called "Tourist hotel"and turn right.......then walk through the rock formations to the top of the hill and you'll be standing overlooking Goreme. Then just follow the road back down into Goreme. The Ihlara valley was easily an hour drive and we didn't think it was worth it.....but others may disagree. ps if you go through the GOreme open air museum, ensure you pay the extra lira to enter the Dark Church.....it's worth it!