Ergat Valley

Ergat Valley is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled spots in Mazandaran Province, located near the town of Kiasar. Its natural features include dense, lush forests and many abundant springs. The terraced walls of the valley range from 30 to 150 metres in height, with an elevation difference of 1,000 metres from the valley floor, which gives an idea of the astonishing scale of this beautiful valley.

The Ergat area is part of the Dodangeh Protected Area in Mazandaran Province and is a suitable habitat for a variety of wildlife. Animals living in this area include bears, leopards, wolves, wild goats and ibex, deer, roe deer, Alborz snakes, golden eagles and other birds. The ancient Divkhaneh (also called Dezhkhaneh) Cave in the valley adds to its beauty. The cave is about 11 metres long. It has only one circular hall with a domed ceiling, and the ceiling is about 6 metres high at its centre. At the far end of the hall there is a hollow or pit in the floor, whose inner walls are smoothed with sarooj (a traditional waterproof mortar). Remains of a fortress, sarooj, mud brick, clay vessels and other items can be seen in the cave, which suggests that it probably once served a purpose such as a place of worship.