Belisırma in the Ihlara Valley: Hiking and Churches

In the Ihlara Valley, Belisırma connects hiking trails with a cultural and historical perspective on churches and rock-cut spaces. Trekking and hiking trails begin in the village, among other places; the hiking trail that runs along the valley also ends there. For planning your trip, both trail connections and church locations are therefore relevant. The following points of interest distinguish between structures in Belisırma and churches in the surrounding area.

Hiking and finding your way in the Ihlara Valley

Trekking and hiking trails begin in Belisırma, among other places, in the Ihlara Valley. Along the trails starting there, you can visit rock-cut spaces and churches in the valley. The hiking trail that runs along the Ihlara Valley also ends in Belisırma; visitors finish the hike there by taking the road that climbs up from the valley. Belisırma is therefore an important point of reference both for starting valley trails and for the end of the hiking trail that follows the valley. The Ihlara Valley has an entrance at the ticket office in Belisırma, as well as Entrance No. 1. Check current conditions before your trip if you plan to include this entrance in your itinerary.

For planning when to visit, the hiking season and visitor numbers can be considered separately: hiking is possible in the Ihlara Valley at any time of year, while visitor numbers peak in May.

Landscape and location

The Ihlara Valley is 14 kilometers long. The Melendiz River runs through it, cutting a gorge that is 100 to 120 meters deep in places. It flows toward the wider valley where Belisırma is located. The 14-kilometer figure refers to the valley, while the depth figure refers to specific sections of the gorge. Belisırma lies in the wider valley area toward which the river flows.

Churches in and around Belisırma

The Church of Saint George, also known as Kırkdamaltı Church, is located in Belisırma and is considered the highest-altitude church in the region. It was built by Amirarzes Basileios and his wife Tamara, and decorated between 1283 and 1295. The builders and the period of decoration provide two specific historical points of reference.

Another clearly located church is Direkli Church: it lies 50 meters north of Bahattin Samanlığı Church and is carved into the rocks opposite Belisırma. Its architectural features include a central dome, three mihrabs, a cruciform ground plan and six pillars. At Direkli Church, the rock setting and architectural form take center stage, while the builders and period of decoration provide the historical context for the Church of Saint George.

Ala Church is located within the boundaries of Belisırma in the Ihlara Valley and is associated with faith and cultural tourism. Churches in the vicinity of Belisırma feature Byzantine wall paintings. The cultural perspective thus extends from individual churches in Belisırma to wall paintings in churches in the surrounding area.

A regional cycling route

The cycling festival includes a three-day route in June that passes through Güzelyurt, the Ihlara Valley, Belisırma, Selime and Hasandağı. About 300 cyclists from Turkey and various countries around the world take part in the festival. The route includes several stops, giving it a different geographical scale from the trails that begin in Belisırma. When choosing a focus for your trip, you can therefore distinguish between hiking trails connected to the village and a multi-day cycling route through several places.

Discover more destinations: Harmandalı Belediyesi, Ortaköy, Sultanhanı, Ihlara Valley, Güzelyurt, Gültepe Köyü, Aksaray

Return to the main travel overview: Aksaray.