In a five-day cycling program in Sardasht & Piranshahr region, we first started our cycling from the city of Baneh to Sardasht road and entered the Boalhassan side road that led to the Iraqi border. We camped overnight near the border village of Alut.
On the second day, we reached Shalmash waterfall in the south of Sardasht through side and steep mountain roads. Then we spent the night in Sardasht town.
On the third day, we went to the beautiful villages west of Sardasht and reached the border village of Alwatan through the dirt road that went to Vazineh plain and spent the night there.
On the fourth day, we cycled towards Sardasht-Piranshahr road and moved parallel to Zab river towards Sardasht. Then through Vargol side road we moved towards Sardasht to Mahabad road and cycled towards Kani Gravan spring. We spent the night in Rabat town near this spring.
On the fifth day we moved to Sardasht and then Baneh. In the middle of the road in the village of Bardarash, we spent an hour with a Kurdish family. We spent the last night in Baneh and the next day we went to the beautiful heights of Mount Arbaba in the south of Baneh.
Cycling in Sardasht and Piranshahr region
Kurdish villages in southern West Azerbaijan
The southern part of West Azerbaijan Province is a Kurdish region. Many villages and towns in this area are built on the slopes of the mountains and therefore have a stepped structure. These stepped houses have created beautiful landscapes among the lush and wooded nature around them.
Kurdish villages in southern West Azerbaijan
Shalmash waterfall in the south of Sardasht
Shalmash waterfall is located 11 km south of Sardasht town in the south of West Azerbaijan province.
This waterfall has a triple path, ie it falls into the valley in front of it in three stages. Shalmash waterfall with its beautiful nature is considered as a public promenade and there are stairs to descend to the valley below the waterfall.
Google map link of Shalmash Waterfall
Shalmash waterfall
Sardasht and the beautiful nature around it
Sardasht is a Kurdish town in the south of West Azerbaijan province. This town is located in the semi-mountainous heights of Zagros and has beautiful nature around it.
There are several villages in the west of Sardasht, next to the border between Iran and Iraq, which have a lush and beautiful nature. The presence of farms and gardens next to the oak forests around these villages has created an extraordinary landscape in this area.
Zab river passes near Sardasht. By creating a dam on this river, a beautiful lake has been created in the vicinity of Sardasht.
The Shalmash Waterfall is located 11 kilometer the south of Sardasht.
Google map link of Sardasht town
Sardasht and the beautiful nature around it
The nature and villages in west of Sardasht
Sardasht is a Kurdish town in the south of West Azerbaijan province. This town is located in the semi-mountainous heights of Zagros and has beautiful nature around it.
There are several villages in the west of Sardasht, next to the border between Iran and Iraq, which have a lush and beautiful nature. The presence of farms and gardens next to the oak forests around these villages has created an extraordinary landscape in this area.
Boyuran village, ten kilometers west of Sardasht, has become one of the resorts of the people of Sardasht. Also, other villages such as Banu Khalaf, Kani Zard and several neighboring villages, offer a beautiful view in a forested valley in front of the spectators.
Visit this beautiful nature through Boyuran and Kani Zard roads in the west of Sardasht.
The nature and villages in west of Sardasht
Dasht-e Vazineh (Vazineh plain)
Dasht-e Vazineh (Vazineh plain) is a beautiful and full of water plain in the West Azerbaijan province between Sardasht and Piranshahr. This plain is near the Iraqi border. Nomadic huts are also located in this beautiful plain. Alvatan village is located in the north of this plain and Dowlahtu village is located in the south of this plain. To reach this plain, you have to go from Sardasht town and through Kani Zard road. By continuing this road, you will reach Vazineh plain, which is located 35 km north of Sardasht.
Google map link of Dasht-e Vazineh
Natural beauties along the Sardasht to Piranshahr road
The road that connects Sardasht town with Piranshahr town passes through a beautiful nature in the foothills of Zagros mountains. Green areas are in front of you along this road. Forests and natural plains along with farms and gardens, have created extraordinary landscapes. The crossing of Zab river parallel to Sardasht-Piranshahr road adds to the beauty of nature around this road. The pictures below show the autumn beauties of the nature around this road.
Natural beauties along the Sardasht to Piranshahr road
Zab River in the West Azerbaijan
The Zab River originates in the Zagros Mountains in the central regions of West Azerbaijan Province and flows south. Zab river flows parallel to Piranshahr-Sardasht road. Near Sardasht, a dam has been built on the Zab River, which has created a lake behind the dam. After that the Zab River continues to flow into Iraq and eventually joins the Tigris River. The part of the Zab River that flows in Iran in the province of West Azerbaijan is called Little Zab.
Zab River in the West Azerbaijan
Kani Gravan, a wonderful Limestone hill & spring
Ten kilometers northeast of Sardasht and close to Rabat town, there is a a limestone hill and spring that attracts a lot of attention due to its unique nose-like shape. This limestone spring, known as Kani Gravan spring, has red water and salts, and over thousands of years, it has led to the formation of a colorful limestone hill in the shape of a promontory. The water of this spring flows on the edge of the hill and flows down from the front of the ness in the form of a gutter.
To access this spring come to Sardasht road to Mahabad. From Rabat town, at the beginning of this road, you will reach Kani Gravan via a dirt road.
Google map link of Kani Gravan Spring
Kani Gravan
The Kurdish village of Bardarash
Bardarash is a Kurdish village between Baneh and Sardasht cities.
In our cycling program between Baneh and Sardasht, we were the guests at the invitation of a rural family, resident of this village. The pictures you see are from this village and this warm and hospitable family.
Google map link of Bardarash village
The Kurdish village of Bardarash
Baneh & Arbaba Mountain
Baneh is a city in the north of Kurdistan province, which is only 20 km away from the Iraqi border. Baneh has a special commercial position as the largest market for goods imported from Iraqi Kurdistan.
The nature around Baneh, like the rest of Kurdistan, is green and beautiful. Arbaba Mountain is located at an altitude of 2220 meters above sea level in the south of Baneh. The two mountain parks of Dokanan and Pirmorad at the foot of this mountain are the resort of Baneh people.
Baneh & Arbaba Mountain
