Makhu Hot Spring

Makhu Hot Spring is one of the most beautiful hot springs in Bushehr Province, located in the construction site area of the Sarcheshmeh (Baghan) Dam. The spring lies inside a lush gorge, and because it is set among thickets and rock walls, it offers a very different landscape from most of the hot springs in the south of the country. The relatively quiet surroundings, the constant flow of warm mineral water and the setting in the bed of a natural gorge make this attraction a special destination for experienced nature travellers. Small and very beautiful waterfalls and cascades along the route show off a rare kind of natural scenery in one of the most unusual gorges in the south of the province.

The gorge trek is about two kilometres long. Although the distance is not great, it is visually stunning and varied. At the far end is the main hot spring pool, which holds only about 6 to 7 people, so space is limited. In some parts of the thickets the smell of sulphur (H₂S) is stronger, so visiting is not recommended for people with breathing problems. Besides its potential therapeutic benefits for muscle and joint pain, Makhu Hot Spring offers a calm and pleasant place to rest in nature, thanks to its unspoiled setting and the absence of crowds.

There are three ways to reach Makhu Hot Spring. The first starts at kilometre 11 of the Anarestan–Sarcheshmeh road, from the Sarcheshmeh Dam construction site, and requires coordination with the dam's security office. Once this is arranged, a guide on a motorbike usually accompanies visitors to the end of the drivable track. From the parking area, you then need to walk for about 40 minutes to one hour along a mountain trail, with some easy scrambling in places. If construction work or blasting is under way in the site area, entry may be restricted. The second route is at kilometre 15 of the old Anarestan–Sarcheshmeh road; vehicles can drive to the foot of the mountain, and the rest of the way is a mountain trail. The third route is used mostly by motorcyclists and is reached via Dashti County towards Jam County. There is also a new levelled track from the Sarcheshmeh side that reaches to within a few hundred metres of the spring, but it does not include the beauty of the gorge route and the waterfalls on the first route. The best times to visit are autumn, winter and early spring. We recommend visiting with a guide and fully following the principles of responsible nature tourism.