Nargesi Cave

Nargesi Cave is located in the village of Gorji Mahalleh, in Behshahr County, Mazandaran Province, and is known as one of the region's notable attractions. The cave lies in a mountainous, forested area, and its surroundings, with their varied vegetation, show the distinctive character of northern Iran's nature. Reaching the cave requires a hike of about two and a half hours, and carrying a rope is essential for getting through some of the difficult sections of the route. Along the way, visitors pass through the heart of the forest, and at the end of the trail they arrive at the cave's entrances.

Nargesi Cave has two large entrances that, strikingly, resemble a pair of big eyes. These entrances lead respectively to spacious halls and numerous passages. The first entrance covers an area of roughly 130 square metres, and the second, at roughly 300 square metres, gives the cave a particularly distinctive look. The cave is formed of limestone, with a ceiling and walls decorated with natural dripstone formations, and a pleasant flow of air. These features (the large entrance, the interior halls, and the combination of forest and mountains around it) make Nargesi Cave a good choice for nature lovers, for light caving and for exploring the outdoors.

Access to Nargesi Cave is usually via forest and mountain routes leading to the village of Gorji Mahalleh. To visit the cave, travellers have to pass through dense forest, alongside rivers and through valleys. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the forest is lush and the weather in the area is mild. During your visit, follow the principles of responsible nature tourism: respecting the environment, not making noise and not lighting fires are among the important points to observe.