[Travel+Outdoor] Cappadocia: the otherworldly landscape that became a Star Wars backdrop
Walked, ran, rode — and it all led here…
Turkey is emerging as a sports-cation hotspot
Won UN Tourism’s Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism
‘Cappadocia Ultra-Trail’ highlighted as a best-practice example
Turkey is emerging as a sports-cation hotspot
Won UN Tourism’s Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism
‘Cappadocia Ultra-Trail’ highlighted as a best-practice example
Emerald seas, lush forests and dramatic mountain ranges — the kind of scenery that makes you want to book a flight on the spot. Turkey is a standout example. Straddling the crossroads of Europe and Asia on the Mediterranean, the country’s inland mountain ranges grow ever more impressive as you go deeper into its forested interior.
More than 50 million visitors arrive each year, drawn to its beautiful resorts and rich cultural offerings. For centuries, Turkey’s layered history, sweeping natural scenery and thriving food culture have delivered unforgettable moments to travelers.
Where tradition meets contemporary culture, Turkey has cultivated a distinctive arts and fashion scene that offers travelers fresh inspiration. Recently, the country has also expanded into best-in-class outdoor experiences built on its diverse natural playgrounds.
Adventurers can trek, cycle, ski, play golf or paraglide through landscapes that still bear the marks of ancient civilizations. Cappadocia, with its uniquely surreal terrain — famous enough to stand in for a Star Wars setting — is the standout. You can explore valleys on horseback, hike volcanic formations, and tour cave homes and rock-carved churches.
◆ Cycling = Cappadocia offers ideal conditions for bike travel. From mountain-bike trails to fast stretches of open road, cyclists can savor varied terrain. Above all, the winding routes that thread past the iconic fairy chimneys are a must for anyone who loves two wheels.
◆ Trekking = With its fairy chimneys and mushroom-shaped rocks creating surreal panoramas, Cappadocia boasts some of the best trekking routes around. Trails through Pigeon Valley, Love Valley, Red Valley and Zemi Valley reward walkers with unforgettable scenery at every turn.
Cappadocia — with its wide range of unique outdoor offerings — recently caught attention by winning a major outdoor-related award. The 13th Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail won in the ‘Community Impact in Sports Tourism’ category at the Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism, organized jointly by UN Tourism and the FIA.
Now a signature sporting event for Turkey, the Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail received top marks in its award category for a firm commitment to sustainability, concrete contributions to local development, environmental protection efforts and initiatives to strengthen the region’s brand.
The Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail is a global running event that threads between the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open Air Museum and Cappadocia’s iconic rock formations. Supported by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) and organized by Argeus Travel & Events, the race draws more than 2,000 athletes from around the world each year.
The awards highlighted projects that successfully combine sustainability, innovation and community engagement in sports tourism. The ceremony took place on March 19 in Madrid during the ABB Formula E FIA World Championship (the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix). Delegates and industry leaders from many countries attended, sharing innovative sport-and-tourism projects and exploring collaboration opportunities.
With this recognition, Turkey is set to strengthen its position as a leading destination for sustainable sports tourism and boost its competitiveness in the global travel market.
Jang Ju-young, Travel+ Reporter
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