Most of the rosy rock cones are topped by
flattish, darker stones of harder rock that sheltered the cones from the rain
until all the surrounding rock was eaten away. This process is known to
geologists as differential erosion but you can just call it kooky.
Devrent Valley lies on the direct (east) road
between Avanos and Ürgup. There's no public transport along this route but if
it's not too hot and you don't mind a roadside walk, it's easy enough to get
here on foot from Zelve. From the Zelve site entrance, go about 200m back down
the access road to where the road forks and take the right-hand road marked for
Ürgüp. After about 2km you'll come to the village of Aktepe (Yeni Zelve). Bear
right and follow the Ürgüp road uphill for less than 2km.
To cut down on walking time, the Ürgüp–Avanos
dolmuş can drop you off at Aktepe. You can get çay and cold drinks from the
souvenir stand at Devrent Valley but you'll have to head on to Zelve, Ürgüp or
Avanos for lunch.
