Razianeh (Fennel) Gorge of Ilam Province

The Razianeh (Fennel) Gorge of Ilam Province is a natural phenomenon in the Northern Zagros Mountain Range that has been formed over several thousand years. The reason why this area is called “Razianeh” (Fennel) is because this medicinal plant grows there naturally. In spring and summer, the small yellow flowers of this medicinal plant stand out in places around the Razianeh Gorge. The rich pastures of Razianeh Gorge are one of the suitable areas for grazing livestock of the nomads of Ilam province.

Features and Natural Scenery of Razianeh Gorge

This region ends with Mount Kabirkuh from the west and Mount Sivan from the east. Mount Kabirkuh is a 2790-meter peak in the Kabirkoh Mountain Range. This mountain range, with a length of 175 km and a width of 45 to 80 km, is one of the largest subgroups of Zagros, which was created in the Cretaceous period (about 150 million years ago) and from sedimentary rocks. Mount Sivan is also 1772 meters high and its landscape is very spectacular and attractive.

Razianeh Gorge is a gap with a width of between one and six meters on the slopes of the Kabirkuh Mountain Range, which covers a path of nearly three kilometers with long twists and turns. The height of the walls of this natural effect is between 15 and 30 meters. The walls are made of lime and calcium carbonate compounds and have a layered structure. Perhaps seeing pictures of the gorge gives one the impression that going down is not difficult, but without rock climbing and canyoning experience one should not even think of going down the rocks!

Geologists believe that the initial formation of this gorge was due to an earthquake that broke the thick limestone layers. Thereafter, and over a period of several million years, the flow of water and the dissolution and compression of rocks and limestone, formed the different layers of the gorge and made them look the way it is today.

A small river passes through the gap of the gorge, which is full of water in spring and winter, but dries up in summer. The river originates from the slopes of the Kabirkuh Mountain Range and flows into the plain after passing through Razianeh Gorge. Those who want to experience an adventurous exploration can walk along the width of Razianeh Gorge when the river flow is not high. The walls of this gorge are so close to each other in some places that no light reaches the middle of it and a relatively dark space is created!

Where Is Rasianeh Gorge Located?

Since Razianeh Gorge is located on the road from Ilam to Darrehshahr Valley, many tourists make a stop to enjoy this unique landscape and the surrounding nature. Being situated near Chenarbashi Village and on the path to Garab Gorge River, one has to travel 50 km from Ilam to Darrehshahr Valley to see this natural attraction.

Oak trees, which are scattered throughout Zagros, also exist around Rasianeh Gorge. It is possible to double the pleasure of visiting this site with mountain climbing and recreational forest climbing on the slopes of Kabirkuh. The other places to visit during this trip could be Ganjeh Village with its pristine nature and extraordinary scenery, the historical area of Simreh of Ilam, and Kafiri Gorge, which has a spectacular nature.

National Register of Raziyaneh Gorge

In addition to the beautiful and unique nature of Razianeh Gorge, the plant and animal species found in it caused the inscription of 75 hectares of the surrounding land on the list of Iran’s natural national monuments in the year 2009. Animals such as mink, otter, wild goats, jackal, caracal, and wild cats live in this area.