Sahulan Cave

Sahulan Cave is located in the village of Sahulan, 42 kilometres southeast of the city of Mahabad, on the road to Burhan and the village of Isa Kand. The cave lies between Mahabad County and Bukan County in West Azerbaijan Province. In Kurdish, "Sahulan" means frost, and the locals also call the cave "Kuneh Kotar", meaning "pigeon's nest". It is named this because of the large number of pigeon nests inside the cave. The cave is on Iran's National Natural Heritage list.

So far, about 250 metres of the dry section and 300 metres of the water section of this beautiful cave have been explored. Sahulan Cave contains a lake whose depth sometimes reaches about 60 metres. The cave ceiling is about 50 metres above the lake floor. The temperature inside the cave is about 15 degrees cooler than outside, between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. Sahulan Cave is the second largest water cave in Iran after Alisadr Cave, and boating on its lake is one of its most attractive features. The water of these lakes is supplied by underground aquifers and by springs welling up. The cave has two entrances, one of which is the main entrance. About 100 concrete steps have been built just inside the entrance to make it easier to get into the cave.

Animal species living in Sahulan Cave include pigeons, leeches, margus (mud-eaters), bats and tiny creatures that live in the water. Many rock pigeons make their homes in Sahulan for nesting and living, and bats have built roosts in various parts of the cave. Because of the darkness and lack of light, no algae grow in the water of Sahulan's lake, and only microscopic organisms exist. To visit Sahulan Cave and enjoy its indescribable beauty, it is best to go to the area in summer or spring so that the cold does not bother you.

The cave is located in the village of Sahulan, near the village of Isa Kand, on the Mahabad–Bukan side road. You can drive to near the cave and only need to walk a short distance. Visiting Sahulan Cave is not suitable for the elderly, children under five, or people with breathing or mobility problems. Remember that you have to walk inside the cave, and the low air pressure and high humidity can cause breathing problems for sensitive people. There is also a very high chance of seeing various birds and bats in the cave, so if you have a phobia or allergy, it is best to avoid visiting it.