Shivand Waterfall

Shivand Waterfall is located in the southeast of Izeh County in Khuzestan Province, in Dezpart County, in a village of the same name. This unspoiled natural attraction is 65 km from the city of Izeh and 250 km from the city of Ahvaz. The waterfall is not far from Shivand Rural District, a district in the Mongasht and Shalu Protected Area that once had three villages, Shivand, Nushivand and Posht-Asib, one kilometre apart from each other. Today all three villages have merged and are known by the name Nushivand. The Shivand River also flows through them. The river rises in the mountains of this area and, after passing through the garden lanes of the village, finally flows into Shivand Lake.

Shivand Waterfall originates in the Mongasht (Mongosht) mountain range and consists of several small and large waterfalls surrounded by lush landscapes. The last Shivand waterfall, about 50 metres high (80 to 90 metres according to some sources), passes through Shivand village and flows into the Karun at the reservoir behind the Karun 3 Dam. It is one of the highest waterfalls in Khuzestan Province and lies in the "Mongasht and Shalu" Protected Area.

To reach Shivand Waterfall, you first need to go to Shivand village. There are two ways to get to the village: one by road, the other by water, across the Karun 3 Dam reservoir. The water route is the better way to reach the village.

The road route suits those travelling in their own car. On this route, take the Izeh to Lordegan road. At kilometre 32 of this road (a little after the crest of the Karun 3 Dam), you reach the start of the dirt road to the Shalu area. This winding, beautiful but rough road continues for 35 km to Shivand village; part of it runs over the Karun 3 Dam reservoir and part of it right along the lake shore.

The second route is the water route to Shivand village. For this, get yourself to Rakat village and its pier, five kilometres from the dam crest. The pier is 40 km (50 minutes) from Izeh and can be reached via the Dehdez road to Izeh. To reach Rakat village you need to cross the arch bridges over the dam. After these bridges, there is a side road that takes you to Rakat Pier after 800 metres. From here to Shivand Pier, you have 14 km of water route ahead.

All around the waterfall you can see Persian oak, wild pistachio (baneh), pomegranate, grape, walnut, Kalkhang, fig, Kikam and Bon-e Sorkh trees, the medicinal plants pennyroyal (pooneh) and tragacanth, and flowers such as anemones (poppy anemone) and narcissus. Animals such as hare, Gazar, leopard, brown bear, partridge, Persian squirrel, wolf, jackal, wild ram, ewe, wild goat, see-see partridge, Kamar-kuli, wheatear, fox, woodpecker and others can also be seen in this area.

Shivand Waterfall can be visited in every season of the year. However, given Khuzestan's very hot and humid summers, we suggest you do not choose summer, early autumn or late spring for a trip to Shivand village. The best time to visit Shivand Waterfall is early to mid spring and mid to late autumn.