Shakh Gavmishi Canyon

Shakh Gavmishi Canyon is located in the Bazoft district of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. Although large sections of it are mostly dry, the canyon has a complex and long structure that includes several side routes, drop-offs and narrow passages. The high walls and steep gradient make traversing the canyon a challenge, so it mainly attracts professional canyoneers and well-equipped technical teams. Passing some sections requires specialist equipment such as ropes, carabiners and descent gear.

The canyon route is about 5.5 kilometers long, with dozens of technical and challenging descents along the way (nine to ten rappels on rope and professional bolts). Several natural pools of cold water have also formed deep in the canyon, where you can swim and cool off after a descent. The difficulty of the whole route, with a considerable technical grade (3C2V), is well suited to experienced canyoneers. The vegetation of the area mainly consists of drought-loving plants such as astragalus (gavan), wormwood (artemisia), camel thorn and wild thyme. In the shade of the walls or in places with a little moisture, scattered bushes of wild almond and Tangeres may also be seen. As for wildlife, species such as chukar partridge, fox, falcon and snakes native to dry mountain regions live here, and spotting them is appealing to nature lovers.

To reach the canyon, you need to travel about 250 kilometers from Isfahan to Bazoft, and then continue along a side road through the villages of Kharaji, Arteh and Sheikh Ali until you reach the canyon entrance. The best time is from Farvardin to Ordibehesht (roughly April to May), when there is enough water along the route and the weather is mild. In hot, dry summers, traversing this canyon can be dangerous because of the lack of water sources and the intense sun. It is also not recommended in winter because of the risk of slides and the cold. We recommend bringing proper canyoneering equipment, not leaving any trash behind, and taking care of the natural environment and wildlife.