The Bride of Iran’s Canyons: Raghez Canyon

The Bride of Iran’s Canyons: Raghez Canyon

The “Bride of Iran’s Canyons” is the title of one of the most astonishing valleys, named “Raghez.” To reach this extraordinary canyon, you must begin an adventurous and exciting journey to Fars Province. Near the spectacular city of Darab, you will find this beautiful and mysterious gorge.

Join Avaye Tabiyat on this thrilling journey and wonderful canyoneering experience in the Raghez Canyon of Darab, Fars Province.

Introduction to Raghez Canyon

Raghez Canyon, the Bride of Iran’s Canyons, is where water and stone have interacted for thousands of years to create various beautiful manifestations of nature’s architecture. Each waterfall or pond is different from the next, and each possesses its own unique beauty. Throughout the path, the massive walls of Raghez sometimes lean toward each other, evoking the feeling of a cave, and sometimes distance themselves to create a beautiful open area. The pleasant sound of waterfalls, beautiful descents and climbs, swimming in crystal-clear pools, and seeing beautiful trout are all part of the attractive and memorable moments of being in the beautiful Raghez Canyon.

The water flowing in Raghez Canyon originates from a spring in the heart of the forest and flows through a valley for a distance of five kilometers until it returns to the earth in the southern valley. Along the way, it creates sixty beautiful natural pools and dozens of small and large waterfalls and ponds. The pools of Raghez Canyon have depths between 6 to 20 meters, with lengths reaching up to 100 meters, surrounded by high walls through which only a small portion of the sky is visible. The Raghez Valley, approximately four kilometers long stretching north to south from the Raghez source to the southern valley, houses 64 waterfalls and 100 natural pools. Only 14 waterfalls and ponds in the southern valley have gained the attention of the general public and mountaineers. Upon reaching the last waterfall of the southern valley at a height of 35 meters, the southern valley reaches a dead end.

Why is it named Raghez?

Raghez means a pristine and slippery path. Although this name is common among Iran’s mountaineers and nature lovers, local people call it “Tang-e Rudkhiz,” featuring water as clear as tears.

Where is Raghez Canyon?

The Raghez Canyon of Darab (or Raghez Valley), considered one of the tourist attractions of Fars Province, is located in the Fasarrud district, 30 kilometers northwest of Darab city near Raghez village. It is one of Iran’s pristine ecotourism areas. This canyon is in an area named Hassan Abad in southeastern Fars Province, bordered by Neyriz and Estahban to the north, Fasa to the west, Lar and Zarrin Dasht to the south, and Hormozgan Province to the east.

Darab has unique and numerous natural and historical sights that have truly remained unknown. If your goal is mainly natural areas, then the first choice would be Raghez Canyon, which is one of the sights of Darab and one of the most amazing and beautiful canyons in Iran.

Access Route to Raghez Canyon

To go to Raghez Canyon, you must first reach Darab city in Fars Province. After traveling a distance, at about 35 kilometers on the Darab-Shiraz road, you reach the Drakoyeh Pass. The dirt road starts here. Using available vehicles and after passing the “Kooh-e Derakhti” area on the left and a route of about two hours, the dirt road ends, and the journey continues on foot.

Starting the walk from the right side of the road, you reach the Bidak spring. The continuation of the foot-path is level. Gradually, the slope increases, followed by a downhill section. By crossing over large rocks, you finally reach the spring on a flat path.

• Geographical Location: E541805 N284945

• Distance from Raghez Canyon to Shiraz: More than 250 km; about three hours.

Navigating Raghez Canyon

To reach the Raghez source area, there are two trekking routes: one involves about four hours of hiking, and the other involves about two hours by vehicle and about two hours of hiking. From the beginning of the valley (a suitable place for parking cars) to the last waterfall, there is a walking path of about three kilometers amidst the clear waters of this valley. In some cases, it is absolutely necessary to use specific rock-climbing equipment and set up anchors (stations).

Photographer: Avay-e Tabiat

Given that ascending the path involves traversing numerous ponds and waterfalls, climbing the waterfalls or moving under them adds to the beauty and attraction of the task. The clarity of the pool water is such that one can clearly see their depth. The water depth in some pools of Raghez Canyon reaches 20 meters. Between the source area and the southern valley of Raghez, dozens of beautiful waterfalls, ponds, and pristine nature can only be navigated using technical equipment. From the source area, it is possible to visit several pools and waterfalls without technical gear, but the hike stops upon reaching a 23-meter-high waterfall.

Not all waterfalls in “Rudkhiz” Canyon require setting up anchors; due to the transparency of the water, the depth of the pool under the waterfall is visible, in which case one can jump into the water, which is both enjoyable and time-saving. Traveling the length of this valley without such facilities would be very difficult and dangerous. For a better and safer trip in this beautiful canyon, it is best to get help from experienced local guides. The best time to descend this valley is from late May to late October. The highest waterfall in this valley is the Azarakhsh Waterfall (65 meters), and the last one is the Veda (Farewell) Waterfall (46 meters).

Best Time to Visit Raghez Canyon

Photo Source: Instagram @avayetabiat

Spring and summer are the best times to travel to Raghez Canyon. Now that you are familiar with the mysterious Raghez Canyon and have decided to experience the excitement of canyoneering and increase your adrenaline, we suggest choosing spring and summer to start this adventurous journey. The best time is from late May to early October. During this period, the high-water springs and the breeze rising from its numerous waterfalls provide a pleasant coolness during the hot days of these months.

Necessary Equipment for Visiting Raghez Canyon

Photographer: Avay-e Tabiat

Traveling to Raghez Canyon is impossible without safety and technical equipment. Do not forget to bring a life jacket, helmet, rope, figure-eight descender, carabiners (climbing tools), and a harness (climbing seat).

Due to the heat, bringing a bivouac (a type of sleeping bag cover) is sufficient for spending the night. Additionally, a bivouac doesn’t take much space in the backpack and is easy to waterproof due to its small size. A standard sleeping bag is bulky, and if it is not well-waterproofed and gets wet, it becomes heavy and makes carrying the backpack difficult. For precaution, a special liner used inside bivouacs or sleeping bags can be brought to use if the night gets cold. These liners are small and do not take up much space.

• The water along the entire route is drinkable, but the best water is what seeps out of the earth at the source.

• Due to the coldness of the water, appropriate clothing—specifically a wet suit—must be used.

• For descending waterfalls, be sure to have suitable shoes for Raghez Canyon; it is better to use closed-toe and closed-back trekking sandals because rocks inside the pools and cliffs might injure your feet.

• A headlamp is not needed to pass through Raghez Canyon as there is enough light throughout the path; a flashlight is only needed during the night camp.

• Waterproofing the backpack must be done in the best way possible (placing the item in a Zip-lock bag, then two or three freezer bags tied individually, and finally placing a large plastic bag in the backpack, putting all items inside, and tying the top). Before tying the bags, squeeze out as much air as possible.

• To stay safe from mosquito bites during the night stay at the source, it is better to bring an insect repellent pen.

• Care must be taken regarding the overnight stay, as there are few points along the path with suitable space for this purpose.

• Place food and items to be used along the path in a separate bag within the backpack.

• For every five people, have at least one small flask of water, tea, or hot coffee to drink and stay warm when necessary.

• The most suitable backpack for this program is a specialized canyoneering or caving backpack, as they do not absorb water and allow water to drain easily.

• It is better if one person does not carry a backpack (placing their items in other members’ bags) so they can easily carry one of the ropes or necessary tools in a gear bag to reach the people in front quickly.

• Bringing a sack or trash bag to carry the group’s waste out of the valley is an important matter for the beauty of the environment.

Safety Tips for Visiting Raghez Canyon

Photo Source: Instagram @avayetabiat

Traveling to Raghez is not without danger, and every year people face problems due to a lack of familiarity with this canyon. Therefore, to stay safe from the dangers of Raghez Canyon, observing the following safety tips is essential:

• We recommend starting the trip to Darab’s Raghez Canyon with professional, experienced tours and local guides familiar with the environment; avoid traveling to this place alone.

• If you do not know how to swim, have a fear of heights, or are not familiar with the principles of rock climbing, we recommend removing Raghez Canyon from your travel plan. Having these skills is mandatory.

• Pay attention to the weather and forecasts from meteorological organizations; take the risk of rain seriously.

• The fewer the people in the visiting group, the higher the safety and speed of the program.

• Individuals must be completely familiar with descending and basic rock scrambling and must have adequate courage and physical stamina.

• Swimming skills will help you enjoy the “waterfall-climbing” more.

• Do not be afraid of the fish in the pools while swimming.

• Pigeons have nests in corners along the path; be careful not to destroy a nest or harm the chicks.

Sights of Raghez Canyon

Photographer: Mohammad Iravani

Among the sights of Raghez are springs, water-filled pools, and roaring waterfalls. In the Raghez Canyon of Shiraz, there are numerous pools and waterfalls. Beside the last waterfall, a memorial for the original discoverers of this canyon and several deceased mountaineers is installed. The important waterfalls on the route, named by the Azarakhsh Darab Mountaineering Group, in order of descent, are:

1. Negin Waterfall: Height 16m, Water Depth 8m, Pool Length 41m

2. Boomrang Waterfall: Height 7m, Water Depth 8m, Pool Length 31m

3. Masoud Waterfall: Height 8m, Water Depth 12m, Pool Length 15m

4. Golab Waterfall: Height 11m, Water Depth 7m, Pool Length 12m

5. Fath Waterfall: Height 8m, Water Depth 1.5m, Pool Length 6m

6. Hikmat Waterfall: Height 11m, Water Depth 15m, Pool Length 32m

7. Kabootar (Pigeon) Waterfall: Height 25m, Water Depth 20m, Pool Length 6m

8. Jam Waterfall: Height 9m, Water Depth 6m, Pool Length 36m

9. Damagheh (Faraz) Waterfall: Height 12m, Water Depth 2m, Pool Length 4m

10. Azarakhsh Waterfall: Height 65m, Water Depth 6m, Pool Length 11m

11. Yadgar Waterfall: Height 4m, Water Depth 8m, Pool Length 11m

12. Veda (Farewell) Waterfall: Height 46m, Water Depth 10m, Pool Length 7m

Raghez Canyon Tours

If you decide to go to Raghez Canyon, you can travel to this spectacular place via a Raghez Canyon Tour organized by Avay-e Tabiat and experienced guides. For this purpose, it is enough to follow program announcements through the collection’s channels or website and set off on this adventurous journey to the heart of an amazing valley. Additionally, it is good to know:

• Some Raghez Canyon tours are usually held as a two-day program, with the first day dedicated to training.

• Some tours are conducted for private groups (family, friends, etc.) at any time you wish.

• Since traveling to Raghez Canyon requires specific skills, some professional tours hold educational and practical classes, such as teaching descent techniques for canyoneering. By choosing these tours and learning the necessary skills, you will go on this trip with more peace of mind.

• Necessary equipment such as wet suits, carabiners, life jackets, and helmets are provided to individuals.

Let’s be Kind and Friendly with Nature

The Raghez Canyon of Darab, Fars Province, gifts us excitement and joy with its pristine and wonderful nature. In return for the kindness of this canyon, let us feel responsible for maintaining its cleanliness and refrain from littering in this beautiful place.