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Zingan Cave, an oasis in Ilam Province
Despite the warm and dry climate of Salehabad and the broader Mehran region, the interior of the cave is damp, fostering the growth of plants and vegetables typical of humid, rainy environments. The high levels of water, along with vestibules and numerous icicles, have created a natural forest within the plain, where ferns, algae, and lichens thrive. Interestingly, the temperature difference between the outside and inside of the cave can exceed twenty degrees, with the interior being significantly cooler. This unique environment makes exploring Zingan Cave an adventurous experience
Exploring Zingan Cave is an adventurous experience. The passageway stretches approximately six kilometers from beginning to end, with water flowing along the route, requiring visitors to wade through it in some areas. At points, the passage narrows, adding excitement and challenge to the journey. Along the way, two waterfalls can be encountered, which must also be navigated.
To reach this remarkable yet lesser-known cave, located ten kilometers from Salehabad, travelers should head west from Ilam for about fifty kilometers. A guide sign near the Salehabad village indicates the way to Zingan Cave. The final stretch from Salehabad village to the cave’s entrance is a five-kilometer dirt road, and after about forty minutes of travel, the cave comes into view.