Raghez Canyon

The ultimate adrenaline-filled adventure in Iran could take place in a canyon known as the most beautiful one in the country: Raghez Canyon. Also known as Tang-e Raghez, this incredible canyoning destination near Shiraz is home to 64 waterfalls and almost 100 natural ponds.  Having a canyoning experience in this canyon requires at least a basic familiarity with canyoning skills. What else? Read this comprehensive Raghez Canyon Guide to learn everything you need to know before going to this spectacular place.

Geographical Location of Raghez Canyon

Raghez canyon is in the Fasarood region of Darab, Fars Province. It is located 30 kilometers to the northeast of Darab, near Hasan Abad Village. With an approximate 4-kilometer length, Raghez Canyon includes 64 waterfalls and about 100 natural ponds from its northern end (the source spring) to its southern end (the southern valley). Between the source spring and the southern valley, the beautiful waterfalls and ponds are only discoverable with technical equipment and canyoning skills.

Why Visit Raghez Canyon

An unrepeatable adventure filled with diving, canyoning, rock climbing, swimming and adrenaline is an un-rejectable offer. Traveling to Raghez Canyon is both an exciting sport and a memorable entertainment.

How to Get to Raghez Canyon

Before heading out for a hiking adventure in the spectacular Raghez Canyon, learn the different routes that make it accessible. For getting to the source spring of Tang-e Raghez (where the hiking trail begins), there are 2 different routes:

1. You can get yourself to Hasan Abad Village and make your way toward Raghez Canyon from there. The route that leads from the village requires a 4-hour hiking up to the beginning of Tang-e Raghez and its well-known spring.
2. You can also access Raghez Canyon from Derakooyeh Mountain Pass. To get there, you have to go to Hasan Abad village first. Then, get a ride (ask a local) to Derakooyeh Mountain Pass to start trekking. The route is mountainous and difficult and takes about 2 hours. If you go down from the right side of the road, you’ll pass Bidak Spring. The rest of the trail is beaten and isn’t sloping. Then you’ll go up a slightly sloping land. The slight slope gradually becomes steep until it leads you to another downhill. After this part, you’ll reach the source of a cold and clear water that flows into the canyon. I recommend this route, because it has a less challenging route and getting a ride to the beginning of the trekking trail makes it shorter.

Raghez Canyon’s Top Waterfalls

Raghez Canyon is home to a large number of waterfalls and ponds. Some of these falls have more popularity among nature lovers and eco-tourists. From the source spring of Tang-e Raghez, you’ll find:

• Negin Waterfall- height: 23m, depth: 10m, pond length: 41m.
• Boomrang Waterfall- height: 7m, depth: 8m, pond length: 31m.
• Masoud Waterfall- height: 8m, depth: 12m, pond length: 15m.
• Golab Waterfall- height: 11m, depth: 7m, pond length: 12m.
• Fath Waterfall- height: 8m, depth: 1.5m, pond length: 6m.
• Hekmat Waterfall- height: 11m, depth: 15m, pond length: 32m.
• Kabootar (pigeon) Waterfall (known as the Dark One)- height: 25m, depth: 10m, pond length: 6m: Light can’t reach this waterfall, so it is dark and cold and you need to move on fast.
• Jaam Waterfall- height: 9m, depth: 7m, pond length: 36m.
• Damagheh Waterfall- height: 12m, depth: 8m, pond length: 4m.
• Yadegar Waterfall- height: 4m, depth: 8m, pond length: 11m- After the pond (known as Gohar) created after this waterfall, there is a camping area known as Parking.
• Azarakhsh Waterfall- height: 45m, depth: 4m, pond length: 11m- It is the highest waterfall in Raghez canyon. Some people decide not to descend this waterfall scramble around it.
• Vedaa Waterfall- height: 38m, depth: 10m, pond length: 11m.

The Best Season to Visit Raghez Canyon

This region is known for its swollen rivers and springs. So, wet seasons (between April and October) are the best time to travel to Raghez Canyon. During these months, not only the green trees on the way are more attractive, but the heat of the summer is also reduced with the cool breeze that blows beside the water. Even in the summer, check the weather forecast before going. Never enter this canyon, and even this region, when it’s raining or it is flooded. Cold and rainwater make visiting Raghez Canyon in other seasons dangerous.

What to Take to Raghez Canyon

Generally, for canyoning in Raghez Canyon, you need to take rock climbing or even underwater diving gear. For passing the waterfalls and ponds of this canyon, you need to drag yourself up rocks, descend rocks, swim or even experience underwater diving. Though different groups might take different kinds of equipment depending on their professional level, the least you need in Tang-e Raghez is:

1. Suitable shoes for rock climbing, canyoning and maybe swimming

Almost all shoes with a strong bottom and high flexibility are suitable for Canyoning. You should take 2 pair of shoes with you, a pair of hiking shoes that you must keep away from water and a pair of shoes that you will use inside the canyon and for passing the falls and ponds.

2. Canyoning gear

Rope, carabiners and harness are the requirements for passing Raghez Canyon. Without this primary equipment, you will not be able to make it to the end of the Canyon. You might even hurt yourself.

3. Suitable backpack

Though it is normally only the professional leader who carries a water-resistant backpack and the rest of the group travel lightly (because of the difficulty of the route), carrying a backpack could be even advantageous. The leader and his/her assistant are more familiar with the route and its dangers, and they have more strength for carrying the heavy equipment. So, it is them who wear water-resistant backpacks to carry the group equipment. But if you are packing, taking a small water-resistant backpack wouldn’t be a bad idea. But be careful never to allow any water inside it. Because not only all your stuff will be ruined, but it will also become heavier and make continuing difficult for you.

4. Life jacket

Anyone who enters Raghez Canyon must wear a life jacket. The way you fasten the life jacket is important. So, you can ask someone else to fasten it for you. Remember that if you haven’t fastened the jacket properly, each jump will loosen from your body.

5. Helmet

One of the most important equipment you will need in the canyon is safety helmet. While jumping off a waterfall into a pond, you might hit your head against something. So, wearing a helmet throughout your adventure is a must.

6. Extra clothes

Put your extra clothes in the beginning of the route (where you’ll be returning to). When you get back from the canyon with soaking clothes, you’ll have dry ones to change into.

7. Underwater diving gear

Though these equipment are not the urgent requirements for traveling into Raghez Canyon, some groups have found them very practical. For example, if you have oxygen tank and wetsuit, you can have more dives into water. With them, you can also experience a whole new world in the +20-meter ponds.

8. Other equipment necessary for canyoning in Raghez Canyon

Water bottle for taking water from springs

Sunscreen

Insect-repellant spray

Mountaineering/rock-climbing gloves

Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Raghez Canyon

• If it’s the first time you’re going to Tang-e Raghez and you’ve never gone rock climbing or climbed down rocks with rope and carabiners, you need to be trained first. You also need to be brave. Remember that there are only special parts where you can dive into. In most parts, you must come down with a rope.
• Try not to drink from the water found in this region. Though the water you find there is spring water, take a water bottle and only take water from the opening of the springs.
• Before heading out to Raghez, check the weather forecast to make sure there is no rain.
• If you are afraid of water, forget about going to Raghez.
• If you are afraid of heights, I recommend choosing another destination.
• You need to be able to swim for making it to the end of Raghez Canyon.
• Remember that the spring water is cold and you might get cold after getting out of the water (even in summer). So, try to wear wetsuit or choose clothes that dry fast.

Where to Stay Near Raghez Canyon

If you don’t like spending the night in nature, you can try Naghsh-e Shapoor hotel in Darab.

The Attractions Near Raghez Canyon

There are precious highlights near Raghez canyon and Darab:

• Naqsh-e Shapur

It is rock relief from Sassanid era that depicts the victory of Shapur I over Roman emperor, Valerian.

• Darabgerd

Darabgerd is the remains of an ancient city founded by Darius I. It is gerd (circular) in shape and includes a salt dome in the center.

• Azarakhsh Fire Temple

It is a cross-shaped fire temple in the heart of mountain. Also known as the Stone Mosque, this monument is believed to be a Mithraic temple that dates back to 3^rd century BC.

Like to Go on an Adventure in Raghez Canyon?

Then book a place on either our 3-day Raghez Canyon tour or our Mount Damavand and Raghez canyon tour.