Horse riding in Cappadocia: the land of beautiful horses

Cappadocia’s name is often said to mean “land of beautiful horses”, and riding through its valleys is one of the quieter ways to see them: guided rides run from riding centres around Göreme and Avanos, on valley tracks and at sunset. The translation is a tradition rather than a settled fact, and this guide says why. Only 1 of our 80 catalogue records mentions riding: staff at Terra Cave Hotel in Göreme can arrange horseback riding. Another 5 list concierge or tour help. The guide covers the name, what a ride is like, how to judge a riding centre, what to wear and who it suits. It names no operators and gives no prices.

A name, a tradition and a dispute

The name Cappadocia is generally traced to an Old Persian form, Katpatuka, which appears in the inscriptions of the Persian kings. A popular translation is “land of beautiful horses”, and it is repeated in many brochures. Scholars do not agree on the root of the word, so it is safest to treat the meaning as a tradition. What can be said is that horses are part of the picture the region likes to give of itself, and that riding is a natural way to see the soft-rock valleys from a different height and at a different pace.

This guide cannot document the history of horse breeding in the region and does not try. What it can offer is practical: how to choose a ride, and how to treat the animals and the ground.

What a ride is like

A guided ride is usually a line of riders behind a guide, mostly at a walk, on valley tracks and open ground. Operators describe rides for different levels, and some allow faster paces to riders who are able for them. Lengths range from short rides to longer ones, and the operator sets them. The ground is soft tuff, with dust in summer, mud after rain and some steep or narrow stretches; the horses are used to it, and the guide chooses the line.

Tell the operator your real riding level and your weight when you book. A good operator matches rider and horse and will say so if a ride does not suit you.

Where rides go

Riding centres operate around Göreme and Avanos. The catalogue names none, so ask your hotel which one is closest and how you get there. Operators name different valleys, and the route depends on the season, the ground and the day, so ask which valley your ride uses and where it starts. The valley walks are described in the hiking overview, and the sunset colours in Rose Valley and Red Valley. Riders share paths with walkers: give way, and keep to a walk when you meet people on foot.

Sunset rides

A sunset ride offers low light on pink and red rock and cooler air. It also means a return in fading light over uneven ground, so ask three things: what time the ride is due back, how it handles a late finish and whether the guide carries a torch. Sunset time shifts with the season, so the start time does too; the sunset guide has the monthly sunshine figures.

Month	Average maximum	Average minimum	Rainy days	For a ride
January	4.0 °C	−3.6 °C	12	frozen ground; rides may not run
April	16.0 °C	5.1 °C	12	mud after rain
June	24.9 °C	11.7 °C	8	warm; morning or evening
July	28.5 °C	13.7 °C	2	hot at midday; go early or late
September	24.5 °C	10.5 °C	3	settled and warm
October	18.3 °C	6.8 °C	7	cool at dusk; carry a layer

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), Nevşehir, 1959–2025.

How to judge a riding centre

You are trusting the animals as much as the operator. A few things are worth looking at before you mount:

• The horses. They should look fit and calm, not thin, lame or nervous, and in warm weather they should have water and shade.
• The tack. Saddles and bridles should look clean and fit the horse, and the helmet should fit you.
• The matching. Riders should be assigned by weight and experience, and the briefing should cover how to stop and what to do if the horse spooks.
• The numbers. The group should be small enough for the guide to watch everyone.
• The pace. Rest breaks should be built in, and the operator should refuse to ride in dangerous heat or on ice.

If you are not comfortable with what you see, you can decline to ride. A refund policy is worth asking about before you pay.

What to wear and bring

Long trousers protect your legs from the saddle, and closed shoes with a small heel keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup; sandals and shoes with long laces are unsafe. Bring sun protection, water, and a layer for the evening, with gloves in cold months. Tie back long hair, leave scarves and loose straps at the hotel, and carry a small bag across your body, not in your hand. If you are allergic to hay or dust, tell the operator.

Who it suits

Confident beginners and experienced riders both find rides, but the guide to ask is the operator, not this page. Age, height and weight limits vary and exist for the horse’s sake as well as yours; ask about them before you book, especially for children. Pregnancy and back problems are reasons to talk to a doctor first. If you are afraid of horses, a walk in the same valley is the better choice.

If you would rather cover the ground faster, see ATV and quad tours, which use some of the same valleys and ask different questions. If a balloon morning is cancelled, a ride fills the free time; balloons flew on 340 of 579 recorded days (59%), see balloon flight days.

Where to stay

For a base where a ride can be arranged, Terra Cave Hotel is the one record that names horseback riding: rooms carved into a 19th-century rock cave on Aydınlı Street, about 300 m from Göreme town centre, with family rooms, a wake-up service and breakfast included. The five records that list concierge or tour help can be asked about other riding centres: Logos Cave Cappadocia in Göreme, Mimi Cappadocia Luxury Cave Hotel in Uçhisar, Taru Cave Suites in Ürgüp, Nujel’m Cappadocia in Mustafapaşa and Vita Cave Suites in Ortahisar. Arcus Cappadocia, pictured at the top, is in Göreme’s Gaferli neighbourhood: a rooftop terrace with balloon views, Turkish breakfast with local ingredients, an airport transfer and a wake-up service. The full list is on the hotel list. After choosing, you can book through gocappadocia.com, the regional booking platform created through the combined efforts of 175 Cappadocia hoteliers, with a best-price guarantee; this guide takes no commission.