Bareh Zard Cave

Bareh Zard Cave, also known as Kena Tarikeh and Kena, lies in the heights of Mount Sivan, near the village of Pakel. It is one of the natural wonders of Ilam Province and is regarded as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the region. Its narrow entrance, which can only be passed by crawling on your belly, gives visitors their first memorable experience of the cave.

Inside, the cave is a mysterious space full of natural beauty, including massive columns and stalactite and stalagmite formations. The chambers, with ceilings that sometimes reach 12 metres in height, create captivating and almost unimaginable views. In addition, the pools of water in the cave, located at a depth of 350 metres, create a calming and unique atmosphere. The intense cold of the cave means that no living creature can survive in it. Although the cold and lack of oxygen make the air in the cave unsuitable for life, a little light does reach the inside, so light-avoiding animals may choose this place as a temporary shelter. What is certain, however, is that there are no particular animals or birds, such as bats, inside the cave. This feature makes Bareh Zard Cave a special and distinctive place.

Some cavers who have travelled to Bareh Zard have reported finding skeletons and remains of wild goats, which perished in a relatively distant past for reasons such as the cold, falling from the cave's uneven surfaces, a roof collapse, or even losing their way. These are the only traces of animals in the cave. On this basis, the cave can be considered an abandoned cave whose only attraction throughout the ages has been tourism. Bareh Zard Cave is a popular destination for tourists, especially in summer, since its intense cold in the colder seasons can be uncomfortable. In summer, visitors can enjoy exploring this amazing place while staying safe from the severe cold.