Div Varzaq Cave

Div Varzaq Cave is located in South Khorasan Province, near the town of Qaen, by the village of Varzaq. This beautiful and hard-to-reach cave is one of the natural and historical attractions of Qaenat County. Also known simply as Div Cave, Div Varzaq Cave has a narrow entrance half a metre wide and a length of about 100 metres. Getting in is somewhat difficult because of the small opening, but once you are through, remarkable sights await visitors, including unusual stalagmites and stalactites hanging from the ceiling and walls of the cave. The pristine, untouched nature of the site is another of its features, making it a special destination for lovers of nature and history. Div Varzaq Cave is also on Iran's National Heritage list, which gives it particular importance.

Despite its plain and small outward appearance, the interior of Div Varzaq Cave is very beautiful and astonishing. Limestone walls with natural formations (stalactites and stalagmites), a damp sandy floor and narrow, winding passages offer visitors a rare view of natural processes that have been at work for thousands of years. The cave is about 100 metres long, and in some sections the ceiling reaches a height of three metres. The reflection of lamplight on the limestone walls and salt crystals gives a magical quality to the dark, silent space of the cave and turns it into a natural museum of geological phenomena. With its very narrow mouth and tangled entrance, "Div Varzaq Cave" remained hidden from passers-by for years and can only be reached with the guidance of locals. The people of the area call it "Div Cave" (the Demon's Cave), because they believed that the strange sounds and loud echoes heard from deep inside the cave belonged to legendary creatures and unknown forces. These local beliefs have made the cave one of the most mysterious natural sites in Qaenat.

The route to the cave starts from the asphalt road from Qaen to the village of Varzaq, and after 25 kilometres you reach the foot of the mountain. From this point a short walking trail begins. It is gentle at first, but the closer you get to the entrance, the larger the rocks become and the narrower the path gets. The cave mouth is only half a metre wide, and it must be entered one person at a time and with great care. Moving through the cave requires a powerful flashlight, suitable footwear and close attention. In the end, though, it offers nature lovers and cavers a different and exciting experience. The route suits people with moderate physical fitness and requires no special mountaineering skills, but in some places you will need to use your hands to climb over rocks. Enough light is essential for visiting the inside of the cave. The best time to visit this attraction is spring and autumn, when temperatures are more comfortable.