Bareh Zard Cave; hidden gem of Ilam Province
Bareh Zard Cave, one of Ilam Province’s most astonishing yet lesser-known tourist attractions, is located in the highlands of Sivan Mountain along the road from Ilam to Darreh Shahr, about 35 kilometers from the main route, near Pakal village. Also called Konatarikeh Cave, it extends nearly 350 meters deep and features a maze of interconnected tunnels and chambers that captivate visitors at first sight.
The cave’s entrance is very narrow, requiring visitors to crawl through, but the tunnel gradually widens, making passage easier further inside. The cave houses a variety of stalagmites and stalactites, stone columns and curtains, and a small water pool, all contributing to its natural allure, ISNA wrote.
Temperatures inside remain extremely cold even during summer, so visitors are advised to bring warm clothing. The cave’s chill is so intense that no living creatures can live there.
Farzad Sharifi, Director General of Ilam Province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization, told ISNA that the height of some chambers exceeds 12 meters. He highlighted the cave’s unique formations — stalagmites of varying sizes, intricate stone crystals, and winding passageways — which make it visually stunning.
Sharifi emphasized that Bareh Zard Cave is ancient and its formations are of great cultural and scientific significance. Visitors should enter with proper spelunking equipment and experience, as the cave contains no oxygen and no living organisms.
The cave’s water pool, wide stone columns, and curtain-like formations, along with sculptural shapes formed by stalagmites and stalactites, make it a remarkable natural wonder and a must-see destination for adventurous travelers.