Shoban Waterfall

Shoban Waterfall (also spelled Shiban) is in East Azerbaijan Province, in Khodaafarin County, southwest of the town of Khomarlou and in the heart of the village of Larijan-e Olya. It lies at the end of a pristine and fairly rugged valley known as Shoban Valley, and is part of the relatively untouched natural area of Qaradagh. The valley holds about seven waterfalls, both small and large. The tallest is roughly 40 meters high, and together they form a chain of cascades that makes for a striking sight.

After flowing down mountain slopes and through deep valleys, these waterfalls continue on and finally join the Aras River. The natural structure of Shoban Valley means the water passes through rocks, vegetation and natural bends along its course, creating a pristine and very beautiful landscape. The old abandoned village of Shiban within the valley adds to the historical and natural value of the area and has made it one of the distinctive nature-tourism destinations in northwest Iran.

The route to the waterfall starts from the village of Larijan-e Olya and requires about 2 to 3 hours of walking on a mountainous, valley-bottom and somewhat difficult trail. Because it passes through untouched areas, the trail sometimes has dense vegetation and narrow paths, but in return it offers visitors rare natural scenery. The best time to visit Shoban Waterfall is spring, especially the month of Ordibehesht (late April to late May), when the waterfalls are at their fullest and nature looks its most beautiful. Following safety principles while hiking through the valley and keeping the environment clean are essential for protecting this valuable ecosystem.