Vali Cave

Vali Cave, also known as Gushehrud Cave or Gavand Cave, is located in Qazvin County, in the Western Alamut district, near the villages of Gashneh Rud and Gurd. This limestone cave lies at an altitude of about 1,620 metres above sea level, roughly 50 kilometres north of the city of Qazvin. Its northern entrance is about 0.5 to 2 metres wide, and the main chamber covers an area of about 100 square metres with a ceiling up to 20 metres high, creating an impressive sight.

Inside Vali Cave you can see remarkable stalactites and stalagmites dating back nearly 250 million years (the Permian period). Alongside this natural wonder, there are also traces of early humans who lived here in the distant past. Unfortunately, because of easy access and a lack of adequate supervision, parts of these valuable limestone formations have been damaged and need greater protection. The interior of the cave is cool, quiet and fairly humid, and bats have been reported near the entrance.

You can reach Vali Cave by travelling from Qazvin to the villages of Alulak, Kamasar and Tahmurth-abad, and then to Gashneh Rud village. From there, a short side track leads to the cave entrance. A clear footpath makes for an easy walk to the entrance, and the beautiful views of the Alborz foothills add to the appeal of the route. The best time to visit is spring and early autumn, when the weather in this area is mild and pleasant for nature tourism. Practising responsible nature tourism, such as taking your rubbish with you, wearing suitable footwear and not touching the limestone formations, helps preserve this valuable natural heritage.