Rijab Valley

Rijab is located 120 kilometres northwest of Kermanshah, on the road from Dalahu County to Sarpol-e Zahab. In Kurdish, Rijab is called Rizhaw, meaning "the place where water falls." The area took its name from the roaring Rijab Waterfall and the beautiful Alvand River that flows through it. The area was registered as a National Heritage site in 1386 (2007).

The forested valleys of Rijab stretch mainly along the Alvand River and are surrounded by dense forests with a wide variety of plants. The mountain valleys lie mostly among high peaks and are the course of the permanent, rushing Alvand River. Rijab's geographical position and favourable climate allow a wide variety of plants and trees to grow, and many orchards have been planted in the area. Medicinal plants found in Rijab include rhubarb, gonvar (wild jujube), sumac, chinvar, wild rue (esfand), zoo, mushrooms, artichoke, sorrel, tulke, gilakhe, siyakuz and others. Besides these plants, the area has many species of trees and forest vegetation, such as oak, hawthorn, wild sour cherry, wild blackberry, fig, walnut, wild pistachio, plane, pomegranate and olive.

Rijab can be visited in every season, and travellers from across Iran and abroad can easily visit the area. However, given the climate and natural setting, spring and summer are the best times to visit Rijab.