Nestled in the Zagros Mountains of Kermanshah Province, Iran, Parau Cave, also known as Ghar-e Parau, is one of the most intriguing and challenging natural wonders in the world. With a depth of 750 meters and a total length of 1,500 meters, this cave is a formidable destination for professional cavers. Its name, “Parau,” which means “full of water,” reflects the cave’s unique environment, where underground streams from melting glaciers create a cold, watery maze beneath the earth’s surface.

A Cave Like No Other

Parau Cave is located at an altitude of 3,050 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest-altitude pit water caves globally. The entrance to the cave is on Mount Parau, about two kilometers northeast of Kermanshah, between the historic sites of Taq-e Bostan and Mount Bistun. This area is not only rich in history but also surrounded by natural beauty. The cave’s remote location and high altitude have made it a significant challenge for explorers, but its unique features and the mystery it holds have attracted adventurers from all over the world.

Discovery and Early Exploration

The story of Parau Cave’s discovery began in 1971 when a British caving team, led by John Middleton, embarked on an expedition to explore this uncharted underground world. The British team, comprising experienced cavers who had previously explored some of the world’s most famous caves in France, Italy, and beyond, set out to make a new world depth record. During this initial expedition, the team descended 22 pitches, reaching a depth of 750 meters. The cave remained wide open beyond this point, sparking interest in further exploration.

In the summer of 1972, a follow-up expedition led by David Judson and backed by the Royal Geographical Society and the British Cave Research Group sought to push the cave’s depth even further. However, despite their best efforts, the cave terminated at a muddy sump, a phenomenon that led to the coining of the term “Paraued,” used by cavers to describe a promising cave that unexpectedly ends.

Contributions of Iranian Cavers

While the British teams were the first to explore Parau Cave, Iranian cavers have also played a crucial role in unraveling its mysteries. In 1989, a team from the Kermanshah Climbing Club, led by Bahman Moshtkub, made a significant attempt to reach the cave’s deepest point. Although their initial expedition was thwarted by a sudden flood that entered the cave, the team persevered, and in 1991, they successfully reached the cave’s terminal sump.

In the years that followed, Iranian cavers continued their expeditions into Parau Cave, leading to several important discoveries. They found a small pond at the end of the cave and uncovered new passages that had previously been unexplored. These expeditions helped to establish Parau Cave as a significant site for caving in Iran and contributed to the global understanding of this remarkable underground system.

Geological and Structural Features

Parau Cave is a remarkable natural wonder, known for its complicated structure and tough conditions. The cave has 26 deep shafts, with the deepest, well number sixteen, dropping 42 meters straight down. The rough, porous walls of the cave are harsh on cavers’ clothing and equipment, adding to the difficulty of exploring it. The cold water flowing through the cave, coming from melting underground glaciers, makes the journey even harder by soaking into cavers’ clothes, making the descent more challenging and uncomfortable.

The cave’s total depth of 752 meters and its length of 1,500 meters make it an attractive yet daunting destination for cavers and nature enthusiasts alike. The journey through Parau Cave is not just a test of physical endurance but also of mental fortitude, as explorers navigate the cave’s narrow passages and deep shafts in near-total darkness.

Conservation and Heritage Status

Recognizing the cave’s unique geological and cultural significance, Iran’s Department of Environment declared Parau Cave a natural heritage site in 2009. This designation highlighted the need for special protection to preserve the cave’s pristine condition and its delicate ecosystem. A year later, in 2010, the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization of Iran registered Parau Cave as a national heritage site, further underscoring its importance as a natural treasure.

These conservation efforts are vital to ensuring that Parau Cave remains a site of wonder and exploration for future generations. As more adventurers seek to test their skills in this challenging environment, there is a growing emphasis on responsible caving practices to minimize human impact on the cave’s fragile ecosystem.

Continued Exploration and Recent Discoveries

Exploration of the Parau region has not stopped with Parau Cave. In 2014, an Iranian team led by Yousef Sorninia discovered another significant cave nearby, known as Ghar-e-Ghala. Often referred to as the “second deepest shaft” in the world, Ghar-e-Ghala is located less than 6 kilometers north of Parau Cave and features a single pitch descent of 562 meters.

The entrance to Ghar-e-Ghala, located at an altitude of 2,794 meters, is shaped like a “big banana” and contains snow and ice for the first 60 meters. The cave’s exploration was completed in September 2016, with surveyors mapping the cave’s intricate passages. The shaft was rigged with 700 meters of rope and included three traverses, three deviations, and forty rebelays, making it a significant achievement in caving.

Conclusion

Parau Cave is a stunning example of nature’s power and beauty, providing a challenging and unique adventure for those brave enough to explore it. Its intricate layout, high altitude, and cold, water-filled passages make it one of the toughest caves in the world. Over time, both international and Iranian cavers have explored Parau Cave, revealing its hidden features and deepening our knowledge of this extraordinary natural site.

As a protected national heritage site, Parau Cave continues to inspire awe and admiration. For cavers, it represents the ultimate test of skill and endurance, while for nature lovers, it offers a glimpse into the hidden beauty of Iran’s underground world. Whether viewed as a geological marvel, a historical landmark, or an adventurous challenge, Parau Cave remains one of Iran’s most significant and awe-inspiring natural wonders.