Sabzrud Valley

The Sabzrud Valley (or Gorge) is located in South Khorasan Province, about 35 km north of Sarayan and close to the village of Karimu. Thanks to its tiered waterfalls, the area has become one of the province's most important natural and summer-pasture attractions.

Along roughly 2 km of the valley route, about 19 waterfalls have formed, with heights ranging from 1.5 to 18 metres. At the foot of each waterfall are deep pools, between half a metre and two metres deep, which are a good choice for swimming and playing in the water. The valley has tall rock walls and rugged, hard-to-pass terrain, which together offer a challenging combination for hiking and rock climbing enthusiasts. The vegetation includes species such as wild almond shrubs, wild pistachio, milkvetch (gon), wild rue (esfand), mountain thyme and medicinal plants. Around the valley you can see animals such as foxes, chukar partridges, hares, owls and birds of prey.

To get there, drive from Sarayan toward Nowbahar or Mosabi and then to the village of Karimu. The route is marked by the view of white rocky cliffs. After that, pass the earthen dam and enter the valley. Completing the whole route is possible with technical mountaineering equipment. The best time to visit the Sabzrud waterfalls is from late spring to early autumn. During this period the waterfalls carry more water, the landscape is greener, and the temperature is much better suited to trekking and camping. The valley is on the list of protected areas; please take your litter with you, do not climb on the rocks, and keep noise down so the environment is not harmed.