Deh Sheikh Cave

Deh Sheikh Cave is one of the caves and attractions of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. It lies 2 kilometres from the village of Deh Sheikh, 51 kilometres from the city of Yasuj and 35 kilometres from Sisakht, the capital of Dena County. With its seven galleries and many different passages, the cave captivates every visitor. For centuries Deh Sheikh Cave remained unknown, until one winter day in the year 89 (Solar Hijri), a shepherd from Deh Sheikh who was looking for his flock noticed it. Since then, researchers and cavers have carried out three exploration phases.

Cavers named this cave after the village because it lies next to it and above it. The cave is two kilometres from the village and is linked to it by a dirt road. One of its remarkable features is that the air inside is cool in summer and warm in winter. Dense oak trees and beautiful oak forests, a lovely, roaring waterfall and deep, pristine valleys around the cave add to the grandeur and beauty of this natural wonder.

In some areas the cave's ceiling reaches a height of up to 7 metres, and in its various passages a variety of limestone stalactites have formed with a distinctive beauty. The depth of the cave is estimated at up to 6 kilometres, of which only a part has been explored. Bones and pottery found in this 135-million-year-old cave show that at some point in history people chose this remarkable cave to live in. It should be said that the age of the pottery has not yet been determined precisely, but experts date it to before the advent of Islam. Because the cave is long and deep, and has passages with many ups and downs as well as pits, exploring it is difficult and demands a high level of physical fitness.

To reach this remarkable attraction, first travel to Yasuj, the capital of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. From Yasuj, after travelling about 45 kilometres you reach Patave District in Dena County. From there, passing through natural scenery and the historic Patave Bridge, you step into the mysterious world of one of Iran's most beautiful undiscovered caves.