Immerse in Katalehkhor Cave’s timeless subterranean beauty
Katalehkhor Cave, Zanjan Province, is a remarkable multi-layered limestone cave that shares its age with the renowned Alisadr Cave in Hamedan but distinguishes itself with its globally acclaimed transparent crystals and colorful stalactites, earning it the prestigious title of the second largest cave worldwide. This natural marvel, which formed over 120 million years ago, boasts an entrance situated at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level. The entry point opens into an impressive 4,000-meter-long corridor leading visitors eventually into magnificent halls adorned with crystal stalactites and massive limestone columns.
The stalactites within Katalehkhor Cave are far more than simple limestone deposits; their vibrant colors and astonishing clarity transport every visitor into dreamlike natural vistas, particularly those formations pristine of mineral impurities, shining with the brilliance of glass crystals, according to chtn.ir.
The cave, located in Garmab, was famously rediscovered in the spring of 1952 by a group of notable Iranian mountaineers, although some sources suggest its discovery occurred in 1921, with an official registration following thirty years later through the dedication of Seyyed Asadollah Jamali. Of its seven layers — four unexplored and three officially mapped — tourists are currently permitted to explore only a two-kilometer path, a mere third of the entire cave system.
While Katalehkhor shares its geological age with Alisadr Cave, the purity of its limestone surpasses that of Alisadr, allowing light to permeate through the stalactites in some areas, creating ethereal scenes that appear almost unreal.
Geographically, the cave occupies a rectangular footprint of approximately 2,000 by 1,500 square meters, where experts attribute its formation to the combined effects of mechanical weathering and internal geological forces producing intersecting faults that eventually facilitated the cave’s genesis under favorable conditions.
A unique feature attracting visitors to Katalehkhor Cave is the imaginative naming of its various sections, each inspired by astonishing resemblances between limestone formations and familiar shapes. Along the visitor’s route, one encounters evocatively named areas such as Panj Shir Square, Bistoun Square, Chehel Sotoun Square, Bride’s Hall, Sham’e Square, and the Holy Mary Square — each evoking vivid mental imagery and imaginative worlds through their descriptive titles, derived from the distinctive limestone accumulations that define each area.
Katalehkhor transcends being a mere tourist destination by organizing into three distinct sections catering to diverse interests: the recreational section featuring approximately two kilometers of publicly accessible paths; the sports section, reserved for experienced spelunkers, extending into a four-kilometer route still awaiting full exploration; and the cultural section, a natural corridor hosting a variety of traditional ceremonies.
The optimal time to experience Katalehkhor Cave is during spring and summer when the cave’s cool interior air complements the lush green surroundings, crafting an unforgettable ambiance. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable footwear, warm clothing, and carry only light backpacks for ease of travel. Access to the cave is straightforward, either by traveling from Zanjan toward Soltaniyeh and Khodabandeh-Garmab or by starting from Tehran, proceeding via the Qazvin-Zanjan freeway to Abhar and continuing toward Khodabandeh and Garmab, covering an approximate travel distance of 385 kilometers.
Renowned as a natural treasure, Katalehkhor offers visitors access to around 1,250 meters of its vast interior on the first floor, although over 30 kilometers of passages have been mapped and identified. For travelers seeking extraordinary journeys and uncharted wonders, Katalehkhor in Zanjan presents an unparalleled gateway to a subterranean world where every stalactite narrates a tale spanning millions of years of geological and natural history.