Kangareh Valley

Kangareh Valley (known locally as Kangarehzu) is located in North Khorasan Province, near the small town of Derkesh in Maneh and Samalqan County. This beautiful valley stretches along the Zagros-Khorasan mountain chain and lies about 67 kilometres from the county seat. With its tall cliffs, deep gorges and sparse forest cover, Kangareh Valley has a pristine, untouched character that makes it an attractive destination for nature lovers, mountaineers and anyone who enjoys camping in a mountain landscape.

The valley follows an appealing winding route that finally ends at a lovely waterfall. The trail combines crossings of small streams, rocky passages and walls, some of which require a short rope descent and wading through natural pools. The route is roughly 15 kilometres long. The first section passes over hills and through forest, continues through the middle of the valley, and then loops back towards the village. Completing the whole route usually takes several hours, and sturdy footwear and safety equipment are recommended. Hiking in this area calls for a reasonable level of fitness and light mountaineering gear.

The vegetation of Kangareh Valley includes native trees such as wild almond, hawthorn and wild pistachio, along with a variety of medicinal and edible shrubs. Together with the rocky scenery, they create a striking blend of forest and mountain. The presence of mountain bird species, foxes, wild goats and occasionally brown bears also adds to the region's biodiversity and makes it even more appealing to wildlife lovers.

To visit, first make your way to the village of Derkesh. From there, it is about a half-hour trip, by car or on foot, to the mouth of the valley. If you continue along the route, you first enter Kangarehzu Valley and reach the waterfall and the main pool. After leaving that area, you return to the village with a one- to one-and-a-half-hour walk through forest and mountain terrain. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the water flow is better and the forested section of the trail stays green. Please practise responsible nature tourism, do not leave any litter, and enter this route only with suitable equipment and preparation, so that you can enjoy an unforgettable experience.