Roudafshan Cave

Roudafshan Cave in Firuzkuh is one of the largest natural and unspoiled caves in Iran near Tehran, and it was discovered only recently. It is considered one of the most remarkable sights of Tehran Province, in Damavand County, and attracts nature lovers who enjoy exploring pristine areas. Its entrance is the third largest cave entrance in Iran, and because it sits on a steep slope of the mountain, it cannot be seen until you are within 100 metres of it.

The mouth of Roudafshan Cave is about 12 metres high, and the entrance passage is about 40 metres long. The longest passage inside the cave is 783 metres long. According to experts, however, many of the cave's inner passages have been blocked over time by falling stalactites, and these sections are no longer accessible. The inner walls of the cave, especially in the more distant and inaccessible parts, have changed considerably because of the constant flow of groundwater and the build-up of sediment on the walls. Parts of the inner walls of Roudafshan Cave are made of alum and sparkle when light shines on them. The stalactites hanging in different parts of the cave are limestone, and clear groundwater wells up from various pools. In the first chamber of Roudafshan Cave you will see stone and clay terraces, but there are no limestone formations in this section. This chamber measures about 80 by 100 metres and is about 25 metres high. It is lit by natural sunlight, and beyond it there is no more daylight.

Roudafshan Cave is home to a species of bat, and if you go further in you will see these creatures up close. It is not possible to advance in the cave without lighting equipment such as a flashlight. If you plan to visit only the first sections of Roudafshan Cave, you will not need advanced caving equipment, and a light source is enough. Metal ladders along the route make moving through the cave easier, because some sections are slippery due to moss cover.

The best time to visit Roudafshan Cave is from late spring to late summer. Autumn and winter are very cold and bring a lot of precipitation. In addition, these are the seasons when the bats hibernate and rest in the cave, so autumn and winter are not a good time to visit. Even in summer, you should definitely bring an extra set of clothes, because the mountain setting of the cave and its groundwater keep the interior cold.